Enforcing a Belmont County Order

Where to File: Belmont County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Belmont County Probate & Juvenile Court
101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2141
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• You have a final court order the other person is violating.
• The other parent withholds parenting time, won't pay support, or ignores the decree.
• You've documented the violations (dates, missed payments, denied exchanges).
• You need the court — not just another conversation — to compel compliance.

Filing Fees

$150 post-judgment motion deposit · heard by the Magistrate (Local Rule 12.5) · CSEA enforcement available for support arrears · poverty affidavit (~$11) available under Local Rule 12.1 · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 699-2169

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Belmont County

1. Document the violations. Keep a clear record of denied parenting exchanges, missed payments, or other breaches with dates and details.
2. File the show-cause motion. File a Motion to Show Cause / for Contempt (R.C. 2705.031) in the original General Division case with the Clerk, (740) 699-2169, and pay the $150 deposit.
3. Serve and attend the hearing. The other party is served and ordered to appear before the Magistrate to explain the non-compliance (Local Rule 12.5).
4. Seek remedies. Ask for make-up parenting time, a payment or purge order, attorney fees, and — for willful violations — jail; for support, the CSEA can also enforce.

Belmont County Practice Notes

• Support routed through the CSEA and CSPC (2% charge). The Belmont County CSEA (Belmont County DJFS, 68145 Hammond Road, (740) 695-1075 option 8) establishes, reviews, and enforces support. Payments run through Ohio Child Support Payment Central, which adds a 2% processing charge (Local Rule 12.3).
• Guardian ad Litem deposit up to $1,000. In a contested custody case the Court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem and order a deposit of up to $1,000, with additional sums if the work requires it (Local Rule 12.30). The cost is typically allocated between the parents, and the GAL files a written best-interest report before the merit hearing.
• Fee waiver by poverty affidavit. An indigent party may file a poverty affidavit (affidavit of inability to prepay costs) in place of the deposit; the fee is about $11 under Local Rule 12.1, subject to a financial review and a payment schedule. If the Court later denies the waiver, you remain responsible for the costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

My ex won't follow our Belmont County order — what can I do?

File a Motion to Show Cause / for Contempt (R.C. 2705.031) in the original General Division case, paying the $150 post-judgment motion deposit; the motion is heard by the Magistrate (Local Rule 12.5). Remedies can include make-up parenting time, a payment or purge order, attorney fees, and — for willful violations — jail. For support arrears, the Belmont County CSEA can also pursue enforcement.

What does it cost to file a post-decree motion in Belmont County?

A post-judgment motion in the original General Division case carries a $150 deposit per the Clerk's schedule, and post-judgment motions are heard by the Magistrate (Local Rule 12.5). Registering a foreign (out-of-state) judgment carries a $225 deposit. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 699-2169.

How is child support paid and enforced in Belmont County?

Support is paid through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC), which adds a 2% processing charge (Local Rule 12.3). Child-support services — establishing, reviewing, and enforcing orders — run through the Belmont County CSEA at Belmont County DJFS, 68145 Hammond Road, St. Clairsville, (740) 695-1075 option 8. The CSEA can enforce orders through wage withholding, license suspension, tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals.

When does Belmont County appoint a Guardian ad Litem?

In a contested custody case, the Court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to investigate and recommend what is in the children's best interest. Under Local Rule 12.30 the Court may order a GAL deposit of up to $1,000, with additional sums if the work requires it, and the cost is typically allocated between the parents. The GAL files a written report before the merit hearing.

Free Local Resources in Belmont County

• Belmont County Clerk of Courts (General Division). Current filing deposits, the Local Rule 12 divorce forms (101, 103/104, 105), and filing instructions for divorce, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree matters. File with the Legal Division on the 3rd floor, 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville; (740) 699-2169. Local rules at https://belmontcountycoc.org/local-rules and the cost schedule at https://belmontcountycoc.org/costs-and-fees.
• Belmont County Probate & Juvenile Court. Handles unmarried-parent parentage, custody, support, and parenting time, plus the Belmont Grandparent Power of Attorney. Forms at https://www.belmontcountyohiocourts.com/forms/; Juvenile (740) 699-2141, Probate (740) 699-2144.
• Belmont County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Belmont County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Belmont County DJFS, 68145 Hammond Road, St. Clairsville; (740) 695-1075 option 8; https://belmontcdjfs.com/.
• Belmont County Children Services. Investigates child abuse and neglect and supports kinship caregivers. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or Children Services at (740) 695-3813.
• Representing Yourself in Belmont County. The Clerk's self-represented-litigant resources and filing guidance for the General Division at https://belmontcountycoc.org/representing-yourself. The Clerk cannot give legal advice but can explain what a complete filing requires.

Other Family-Law Topics in Belmont County

• Statewide Divorce Overview — How Ohio divorce, residency, and property division work at a high level.
• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Belmont County family-law attorney for help with your case.

Related to your contempt case

• Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.
• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Related guides

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

• Contempt Motions in Ohio Family Court: Enforcing Your Order — When the other parent ignores a court order — withholding the children or refusing to pay support — a contempt motion is how Ohio courts enforce it. Here's how the process works.
• Post-Decree Modifications in Ohio: Changing Your Order After Divorce — Your divorce decree isn't carved in stone. When life changes, Ohio lets you modify custody, parenting time, and support — but each requires meeting a specific legal standard. Here's how.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
• Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.