Shared Parenting in Carroll County

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

Carroll County, Ohio · Carrollton

In Ohio, shared parenting names both parents legal custodian and residential parent under a written plan that meets R.C. 3109.04. In Carroll County, married parents propose a plan inside their General & DR Division divorce or dissolution; never-married parents propose one in the Probate & Juvenile Division. The two divisions use different default schedules: the General & DR Division presumes equal parenting time for children ages 3–13 under its Standard Parenting Order, while the Probate & Juvenile Division uses a more traditional alternate-weekend-plus-midweek Standard Child Companionship Schedule.

How does shared parenting work in Carroll County, Ohio?

Either or both parents may propose a Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) covering the living schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution. The court approves it only if it serves the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F). Married parents file inside a divorce or dissolution in the General & DR Division; never-married parents file in the Probate & Juvenile Division ($150 new complaint). If parents can't agree on a schedule, the applicable default depends on the court: the General & DR Division's Standard Parenting Order presumes equal time for ages 3–13, while the Probate & Juvenile Division applies its Standard Child Companionship Schedule (alternate weekends plus a midweek visit).

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: Carroll County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division

119 S. Lisbon St., Suite 401, Carrollton, OH 44615, Carrollton, OH 44615
Phone: (330) 627-4886
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Website: carrollcountyohio.us/agencies-and-departments/court
e-Filing: https://carrollcountyclerk.org/eservices

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Carroll County Probate & Juvenile Division
119 S. Lisbon St., Suite 202, Carrollton, OH 44615, Carrollton, OH 44615
Phone: (330) 627-2323
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to be named legal custodian and residential parent under one plan.
You can cooperate enough to share major decisions about school, health, and activities.
You need a written schedule covering weekdays, weekends, holidays, and summer.
You want the plan built around the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F).

Filing Fees

Shared parenting rides the underlying case deposit — $350 in a General & DR divorce/dissolution, $150 in a new Probate & Juvenile case — confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (330) 627-4886

Forms & Filing Packets

Propose a shared parenting plan

File the Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) with the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit. In a General & DR case, the county's Standard Parenting Order is a useful starting point.

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA. Required in any case involving minor children.
Standard Parenting Order and Rules Governing Companionship Time (Carroll County) — The General & DR Division's age-based default parenting schedule — equal parenting time is presumed for children ages 3–13 — applied unless the parents agree otherwise or the judge orders differently.

Add the child-support worksheet

Even with shared parenting, the court runs the Ohio worksheet and can order support and medical coverage based on the parents' incomes and time.

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.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.

How to File Shared Parenting in Carroll County

Decide if shared parenting fits. Confirm both parents want to share legal custody and can cooperate on major decisions for the child.
Draft the Form 20 plan. Complete the Shared Parenting Plan covering the schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution.
File in the right court. Married parents file inside the divorce or dissolution in the General & DR Division; never-married parents contact the deputy clerk and file in the Probate & Juvenile Division.
Run the support worksheet. Complete the Ohio child-support worksheet and Health Insurance Affidavit so the court can address support and medical coverage.

Carroll County Practice Notes

Best interest controls the plan. 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.
Two different default schedules in Carroll County. The General & DR Division's Standard Parenting Order presumes equal parenting time for children ages 3–13 (with separate schedules for infants/toddlers and teens, and a Long-Distance Parenting Order for parents 100+ miles apart). The Probate & Juvenile Division instead uses a Standard Child Companionship Schedule — generally alternate weekends (Friday 7:00 p.m. to Sunday 7:00 p.m.) plus one midweek visit for children age 4 and up (Local Rule 18, Appendices F & G). Which default applies depends on which court hears your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is shared parenting in Carroll County and how do I ask for it?: Shared parenting names both parents legal custodian and residential parent under a written plan that meets R.C. 3109.04 — covering the schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution. Either or both parents may propose a plan (Ohio SC Form 20); the court approves it only if it serves the child's best interest. Married parents file inside a divorce or dissolution in the General & DR Division; never-married parents file in the Probate & Juvenile Division.
Does Carroll County use a standard parenting-time schedule?: Yes. The General & DR Division publishes a detailed, age-based Standard Parenting Order and Rules Governing Companionship Time that the court applies unless the parents agree otherwise or the judge orders differently. It presumes equal parenting time for children ages 3–13 absent clearly defined special circumstances, with separate schedules for infants/toddlers and teens, plus a Long-Distance Parenting Order when parents live more than 100 miles apart.
Does every Carroll County court use the same parenting schedule?: No — and this is an important local quirk. The General & DR Division (married-couple cases) presumes equal parenting time for children ages 3–13 under its Standard Parenting Order, while the Probate & Juvenile Division (unmarried-parent and non-parent cases) uses a more traditional alternate-weekend-plus-midweek Standard Child Companionship Schedule (Probate/Juvenile Local Rule 18, Appendices F & G). Which default applies depends on which court hears your case.
Do I file in the General & DR Division or the Probate & Juvenile Division in Carroll County?: If you are or were married to the other parent, custody, parenting time, and support are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in the General & Domestic Relations Division (Clerk of Courts, Suite 401). If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled by the combined Probate & Juvenile Division (Suite 202, (330) 627-2323). Non-parent (grandparent/relative) custody and companionship are always filed in the Probate & Juvenile Division.

Free Local Resources in Carroll County

Carroll County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (330) 627-2450 or visit https://carrollcountyohio.us/agencies-and-departments/courts/court-of-common-pleas/ before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Carroll County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Carroll County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.

Related to your shared parenting case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

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

Shared Parenting in Ohio: How Joint Custody Really Works — Shared parenting is Ohio's version of joint custody — both parents stay legal custodians and share major decisions. Here's what a plan must cover and how courts decide.
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.
Fathers' Rights in Ohio: Custody, Paternity, and Parenting Time — Ohio law does not favor mothers over fathers — but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they have any rights. Here's how fathers protect their relationship with their children.

Keep exploring

Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting in Ohio.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
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