Modifying Orders in Butler County

How do I modify a custody or support order in Butler County, Ohio?

File a motion to modify 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 (instructions Form C2); at the Juvenile Justice Center, 280 N. Fair Ave., use the Motion to Modify Court Order for $165 plus service. You must show a change of circumstances since the last order and that the change serves the children's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)). DR motions go through Case Management before filing.

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 Modifications is the right path if…

• There has been a significant change since your last order (income, relocation, schedule, or the child's needs).
• You already have a final custody, parenting time, or support order.
• You want to change parenting time, the residential parent, or the support amount.
• You can document the change in circumstances.

Filing Fees

DR motion: deposit set by the Clerk · Juvenile motion: $165 + service · Initial DR magistrate hearing is a 30-minute telephone pretrial

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Butler County

1. Identify the issuing court. File in the court that issued your order — Domestic Relations for divorce/dissolution orders, the Juvenile Justice Center for never-married custody/support orders.
2. Document the change in circumstances. Gather proof of the change — new income, a move, a schedule change, or the child's changed needs since the last order.
3. Prepare and submit the motion. DR: DR726 motion with DR722 codes through Case Management. Juvenile: Motion to Modify Court Order with the Face Sheet and relief codes.
4. Attend the hearing. Butler County DR starts most motions with a 30-minute telephone pretrial; bring updated financials and a current child-support worksheet if support is at issue.

Butler County Practice Notes

• Show a real change in circumstances. Butler County requires a specific change in circumstances since the last order; the moving party bears the burden. A child's desire alone to live with the other parent can result in dismissal without a hearing (DR Local Rule 39).
• No motions for reconsideration in DR. Butler County DR does not accept motions for reconsideration — only a motion for clarification within 14 days. To challenge a magistrate's decision, file objections under DR Local Rule 31.
• Best-interest standard governs. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) lists 10+ factors: each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of sufficient age), the child's interaction with parents/siblings, adjustment to home/school/community, mental and physical health of all involved, the parent more likely to facilitate court-approved parenting time, child support compliance, criminal history, residence outside Ohio, and any history of abuse.

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.

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.

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.

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 modifications case

• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications 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.