Enforcing Orders in Butler County

How do I file a contempt motion in Butler County, Ohio?

File a contempt motion in the court that issued the order. At the Butler County Domestic Relations Court, 315 High Street, Hamilton, use the DR726 Pro Se Motion with the DR722 motion codes and a DR821 Summons in Contempt (instructions Form C1); at the Juvenile Justice Center, 280 N. Fair Ave., use the Motion for Contempt for $165 plus service. DR motions go through Case Management before filing. If support is owed, CSEA can provide an arrearage affidavit requested about three weeks before the hearing. Penalties can include make-up time, fees, and jail.

Where to File: Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Butler County Juvenile Justice Center
280 N. Fair Ave., Hamilton, OH 45011, Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3317
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Clerk 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• The other party is violating a current custody, parenting time, or support order.
• You have a final, enforceable order in place.
• You can document the violations (missed exchanges, unpaid support).
• You want the court to compel compliance and possibly award fees.

Filing Fees

DR motion: deposit set by the Clerk · Juvenile motion: $165 + service · CSEA arrearage affidavit requested ~3 weeks before the hearing

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Butler County

1. Confirm there is an enforceable order. Contempt enforces an existing order. Identify the court that issued it — DR or the Juvenile Justice Center.
2. Document the violations. Gather dates of missed parenting-time exchanges or a CSEA payment history showing unpaid support.
3. Prepare the motion and summons. DR: DR726 motion, DR722 codes, and DR821 summons through Case Management. Juvenile: Motion for Contempt with the Face Sheet and relief codes.
4. Attend the hearing. Bring your documentation; the court can order make-up parenting time, fees, a purge plan, and jail for willful violations.

Butler County Practice Notes

• A summons in contempt is required at DR. Butler County DR requires a DR821 Summons in Contempt with the motion; contempt is a quasi-criminal proceeding, so the alleged violator is entitled to notice and, if indigent and facing jail, appointed counsel.
• Request the CSEA arrearage affidavit early. For support contempt, ask CSEA for the arrearage affidavit about three weeks before the hearing so the exact amount owed is documented for the court.
• Guardian ad Litem in contested cases. In a contested custody case, the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem — a court-appointed attorney — to investigate and recommend a parenting plan in the child's best interest. The GAL does not represent the child's wishes; the GAL represents what is best for the child. GAL fees are typically allocated between the parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my filing have to go through Case Management first?

Butler County DR is Case-Management-driven. Almost every filing — complaints, answers, counterclaims, motions, agreed entries, decrees, separation agreements, and shared parenting plans — must be submitted to the Case Management Office and approved for Local Rules compliance before you file it with the Clerk of Courts. Filing directly with the Clerk without approval can get your case dismissed. Submit non-DV documents through the E-Submission portal at drcsubmit.bcohio.gov.

Do I file in Domestic Relations or the Juvenile Justice Center?

If you are married to the other parent (or were married when the children were born), custody, parenting time, and child support travel with your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment at the Domestic Relations Court, 315 High Street, Hamilton. If you were never married, paternity and custody go to the Butler County Juvenile Justice Center at 280 N. Fair Ave., a separate building. Grandparent and non-parent custody is always Juvenile.

How much does it cost to file in Butler County?

Domestic Relations filing deposits are set by the Butler County Clerk of Courts and posted at clerkofcourts.bcohio.gov; you pay them after the Case Management Office approves your packet. Juvenile Justice Center filings are $165 plus $50 clerk service for a custody, support, allocation, or visitation complaint ($165 plus service for paternity; $45 for a relocation notice). If you cannot pay, file Form DR824 to proceed in forma pauperis at DR, or an indigency affidavit at Juvenile.

What does Butler County CSEA do?

The Butler County Child Support Enforcement Agency at the Gov't Services Center, 315 High Street, 7th Floor, Hamilton (health-insurance line (513) 887-3362) opens IV-D cases, runs the Ohio child-support calculation, collects support by wage withholding, distributes it, and enforces orders. Pay in person by Visa, MasterCard, ATM, or cash (no personal checks), by mail through Ohio Child Support Payment Central in Columbus, or online via ExpertPay.

How long does a case take in Butler County?

Dissolution: about 30–90 days — Butler County requires the final hearing within 90 days of filing or the petition is dismissed. Uncontested (default) divorce: roughly 4–6 months once the 28-day answer window passes with no Answer filed. Contested divorce: 6–18 months depending on temporary-orders activity and the trial calendar. Civil Protection Orders: an ex parte order can issue the same day, with the full hearing in 7–10 business days.

Free Local Resources in Butler County

• Butler County DR Court Forms & E-Submission. All Domestic Relations forms, instructions, and completed packets are posted at drcourt.bcohio.gov/forms. Non-DV documents are submitted through the E-Submission portal at drcsubmit.bcohio.gov; DV/CPO documents use the Document Submission portal.
• Butler County Juvenile Justice Center Forms. Custody, visitation, support, contempt, and emergency-custody complaints and motions (PDF and DOC) are at juvenilejusticecenter.bcohio.gov/forms___downloads. CSEA e-filing is at bcjjcefile.bcohio.gov/EFile.
• Butler County Bar Association. Attorney referral and general legal information at (513) 896-6671 / butlercountybar.org. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
• Women Helping Women (24-hour DV hotline). Confidential domestic-violence support and victim advocacy at (513) 381-5610. The Butler County Sheriff's Victim Assistance Program is at (513) 887-3430.

Other Family-Law Topics in Butler County

• Butler County Divorce — Contested and uncontested divorce filing at the Domestic Relations Court.
• Butler County Dissolution — The both-parties-agree path — faster and cheaper than divorce.
• Butler County Custody — Married parents file at DR; never-married parents at the Juvenile Justice Center.
• Butler County Civil Protection Orders — Walk-in DV/CPO filing with same-day ex parte review.

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.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
• Cincinnati family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cincinnati 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.