Emergency & Temporary Orders in Ashtabula County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Ashtabula County, Ohio · Jefferson

While a divorce, legal separation, or annulment is pending, the General & Domestic Relations Division can issue short-term orders — temporary custody, parenting time, support, and exclusive use of the home — before the final hearing. Under Local Rule 7.2 you request temporary support and parenting via Affidavit 5 (Civ.R. 75(N)); a standard mutual restraining order may issue on filing; and truly urgent ex parte relief requires a sworn affidavit showing irreparable harm. These are temporary, not a final custody decision.

How do I get emergency or temporary orders in Ashtabula County, Ohio?

Within your pending DR case, file Affidavit 5 (the Motion/Counter-Affidavit for Temporary Orders Without Oral Hearing) under Civ.R. 75(N) to ask the court or magistrate for temporary support, parenting time, and allocation of parental rights — attach a current Affidavit 1 (income) and Affidavit 2 (property), and a child-support worksheet for any support request. The other party files a counter-affidavit within 14 days, and either party can request an oral hearing within 28 days to modify. A standard mutual restraining order may issue on filing (Local Rule 7.2). Truly urgent ex parte orders require a written motion, a supporting affidavit showing irreparable harm, and a proposed entry. Exclusive use of the home is available on documented domestic violence or where the other party has been absent over 30 continuous days. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 — and for never-married parents, an emergency custody motion is filed in the Juvenile-Probate Court.

Ohio Custody by the Numbers

Best interest The single standard that governs every Ohio custody decision Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04
No set age There is no age a child can choose a parent — the judge weighs a mature child's wishes Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(B)
Change in circumstances Required, plus a best-interest finding, before the residential parent can be changed Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(E)(1)
Shared parenting Either parent may ask the court for a joint parenting plan Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(G)

Compare Types of Custody in Ohio

Custody type	Who makes major decisions	Where the child lives	Best when
Shared parenting	Both parents jointly, under a written plan	Time is split per the plan (not always 50/50)	Parents can communicate and cooperate on decisions
Sole legal & residential	One parent	Primarily with that parent	One parent is unable or unwilling to co-parent
Split custody	Each parent for the child in their care	Siblings are divided between the two homes	Rare — only when it serves each child's best interest
Legal custody to a non-parent	The relative or caregiver granted custody	With the non-parent caregiver	Neither parent can safely care for the child

Where to File: Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas — General & Domestic Relations Division

25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH 44047, Jefferson, OH 44047
Phone: (440) 576-3637
Hours: Clerk of Courts Legal Division: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (e-filing not yet live — file by fax, mail, or in person)
Website: courts.ashtabulacounty.gov/
e-Filing: https://www.ashtabulacounty.us/932/eFiling

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile-Probate Court (Juvenile Division)
4717 Main Ave., Ashtabula, OH 44004, Ashtabula, OH 44004
Phone: (440) 994-6000
Hours: Monday–Friday (email filing at juvenile@ashtabulacounty.us; fax (440) 994-6020)

Emergency Custody is the right path if…

You have a divorce, legal separation, or annulment pending (or need to open one).
You need temporary support, parenting time, or allocation of parental rights now.
You need exclusive use of the home due to documented violence or a long absence.
There is an urgent risk of irreparable harm that can't wait for the final hearing.

Filing Fees

Usually filed within the pending DR case (no separate new-case deposit) · counter-affidavit due in 14 days · oral hearing on request within 28 days · post-decree ex parte motions affecting children: hearing within 14 days · confirm any deposit with the Clerk

Forms & Filing Packets

Temporary orders (Civ.R. 75(N))

File Affidavit 5 with current Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 attached; the court or magistrate can decide without an oral hearing.

Affidavit 5 — Motion/Counter-Affidavit for Temporary Orders Without Oral Hearing (MACATO) — The Uniform Domestic Relations form Ashtabula uses to request temporary support and parenting orders under Civ.R. 75(N). The other party files a counter-affidavit within 14 days (Local Rule 7.2). Tip: Attach a current Affidavit 1 (income/expenses) and Affidavit 2 (property/debt).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.

Urgent ex parte / exclusive-use request

A written motion with a sworn affidavit showing irreparable harm and a proposed entry; exclusive use on documented DV or a 30+ day absence.

Affidavit 5 — Motion/Counter-Affidavit for Temporary Orders Without Oral Hearing (MACATO) — The Uniform Domestic Relations form Ashtabula uses to request temporary support and parenting orders under Civ.R. 75(N). The other party files a counter-affidavit within 14 days (Local Rule 7.2). Tip: Attach a current Affidavit 1 (income/expenses) and Affidavit 2 (property/debt).
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.

How to File Emergency Custody in Ashtabula County

Open or use your DR case. Temporary orders are filed within a pending divorce, legal separation, or annulment in the General & Domestic Relations Division.
Complete Affidavit 5 and financials. File Affidavit 5 with current Affidavit 1, Affidavit 2, and a child-support worksheet for any support request.
Show irreparable harm for ex parte relief. If it's a true emergency, attach a sworn affidavit detailing the facts and the harm, plus a proposed judgment entry.
Respond and request a hearing. The other party has 14 days to file a counter-affidavit; either party may request an oral hearing within 28 days to modify the temporary order.

Ashtabula County Practice Notes

Use Affidavit 5 and disclose your finances. Temporary support and parenting run through Affidavit 5 under Civ.R. 75(N). By the temporary-support hearing each party must exchange a recent pay stub, 3 years of tax returns, an insurance card, monthly expenses, and childcare/child-health costs.
Ex parte relief is the exception. An ex parte order must be in writing with a supporting affidavit detailing the grounds and the irreparable harm, plus a proposed entry. Exclusive use of the home is granted on documented domestic violence or where the other party has been absent more than 30 continuous days (for reasons other than employment).
Limits during mediation. While a DR case with children is in mediation, the court generally won't enter an ex parte parental-rights order absent extraordinary circumstances, and any such order is limited to physical placement and a no-removal term (Rule 8.1(F)).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do temporary orders work while my divorce is pending?: Under Local Rule 7.2, the court may issue a standard mutual restraining order on filing. For temporary support and parenting you file Affidavit 5 (the Motion/Counter-Affidavit for Temporary Orders) under Civ.R. 75(N); the court or magistrate can decide without an oral hearing, the other party files a counter-affidavit within 14 days, and either party may request an oral hearing within 28 days to modify. Mandatory financial disclosure (pay stub, 3 years of tax returns, insurance card, monthly expenses, childcare and child-health costs) is due by the temporary-support hearing.
Can I get exclusive use of our home during the case?: Yes, in limited circumstances. Under Local Rule 7.2 a Motion for Exclusive Use of Premises, supported by affidavit, may be granted on documented domestic violence or where the other party has already been absent from the home for more than 30 continuous days (for reasons other than employment) before the motion. Ex parte requests must be in writing with a supporting affidavit showing irreparable harm and a proposed entry.
Does Ashtabula County have a separate Domestic Relations Court?: No. Ashtabula County has no standalone Domestic Relations Court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, DR post-decree matters, and DVCPOs are all heard by the General & Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas — the same judges (Hon. David A. Schroeder and Hon. Marianne Sezon) who hear general civil and criminal cases, with a Domestic Relations Magistrate hearing many matters. You file at the Clerk of Courts, 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson.
Does Ashtabula County favor shared parenting and equal time?: In the General & Domestic Relations Division (married or divorcing parents), yes — Local Rule 7.6's Standard Parenting Order applies default presumptions favoring shared parenting and an equal division of parenting time as in the child's best interest, rebuttable by evidence such as domestic violence, abuse, neglect, or relevant criminal convictions. Never-married parents are heard in the Juvenile Division, which applies its own Standard Companionship Order (Juvenile Local Rule 10, effective 1-7-2026); the DR division's Rule 7.6 schedule is a useful countywide reference there but not a binding presumption. Either way, the court decides on the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors.

Free Local Resources in Ashtabula County

Ashtabula County Clerk of Courts (April Daniels). Common Pleas / DR filings, current fees, and local forms at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson. Phone (440) 576-3637, fax (440) 576-2819. E-filing is not yet live — file by fax, mail, or in person.
Ashtabula County court forms page. All county-local and Ohio Supreme Court forms for DR, Juvenile, and Probate cases: https://courts.ashtabulacounty.gov/courts_forms.htm
Family Court Services / MCMS (parent education & mediation). Runs the three-hour "New Beginnings" parent-education class, domestic-relations and juvenile mediation, and court-ordered home studies for both courts (through the Juvenile Court). The "New Beginnings" class fee is $40 per person, paid to Family Court Services.
Ashtabula County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Opens IV-D cases, orders genetic testing, runs wage withholding, and enforces orders. Call center 440-994-1212; https://www.ashtabulacounty.us/350/Child-Support
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official 2024 Income Shares worksheet and print it for filing: ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Ashtabula and neighboring counties.

Related to your emergency custody case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Grandparents' Rights — Seek visitation or custody when it serves the child's best interest.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on emergency custody and related Ohio family law topics.

Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.
Ohio Child Custody Laws: What Every Parent Should Know — Ohio custody law turns on one principle: the best interest of the child. This guide explains sole custody, shared parenting, the statutory factors, and how courts decide.
Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.

Keep exploring

Ohio Emergency Custody guide — Statewide overview of emergency custody in Ohio.
Cleveland family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cleveland metro.
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