Where do I file a post-decree motion in Champaign County?

File in the same Family Court case that issued the order — the assigned judge keeps the family. DR decrees (divorce, dissolution, legal separation) are modified or enforced on the DR side using the local change motions; orders entered between unmarried parents are modified on the Juvenile side using Ohio Uniform Form 27 (custody), Form 26 (parenting time), or Form 28 (support). Reopening a DR case or filing an issue not currently before the court is $250.

Do I have to tell the court before moving with my child in Champaign County?

Yes. A residential parent who intends to move files a Notice of Relocation (R.C. 3109.051(G)) so the court and the other parent get notice; the other parent can then ask the court to adjust parenting time. The Standard Order of Parenting Time also bars permanently removing the child from the court's jurisdiction without first getting a hearing.

How is child support calculated in Champaign County?

Champaign County uses Ohio's statewide guidelines — there is no county formula. Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator with both parents' gross incomes, parenting-time, health-insurance, and child-care figures, then print and sign the worksheet. The Champaign County CSEA (1512 S. US Hwy 68, Ste. N100, Urbana; (937) 484-1500) collects and enforces the order, typically by automatic wage withholding.

What is the standard parenting-time schedule in Champaign County?

When parents cannot agree, the court applies its Standard Order of Parenting Time (Family Court Local Rules, Exhibit B): alternate weekends Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 6:00 p.m., a Tuesday 5:00–8:00 p.m. evening on the off weeks, alternating holidays by odd/even year, a split Christmas (Dec. 24 noon–Dec. 25 noon and Dec. 25 noon–Dec. 26 noon, alternating), and four summer weeks taken as two two-week blocks.

Champaign County Post-Decree Modification Attorneys

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

Champaign County, Ohio · Urbana

Life changes, and Champaign County orders can change with it. File in the same Family Court case that issued the order — the assigned judge keeps the family. DR decrees are modified on the Domestic Relations side using the county's local change motions; orders between unmarried parents are modified on the Juvenile side using Ohio Uniform Form 27 (custody), Form 26 (parenting time), or Form 28 (support). Changing the residential parent faces the higher R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances standard, while parenting time and support modify on their own standards.

Hire Gavvl for your Champaign County modifications case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Champaign County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start (flat fees from $950).

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

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

File a motion in the side of the Family Court that issued the order. Changing the residential parent requires showing a change in circumstances since the last order and that the change serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)) — on the DR side use the Motion for Change in Allocation of Parental Rights, on the Juvenile side Ohio Uniform Form 27. Parenting-time changes use a best-interest standard (DR Motion for Change in Parenting Time, or Juvenile Form 26). Support changes use R.C. 3119.79 with an updated worksheet and income affidavit (DR Motion for Change in Child Support, or Juvenile Form 28). Reopening a DR case or filing an issue not currently before the court is $250. For a move, file a Notice of Relocation first.

Champaign County custody & support modifications from Gavvl Law

Champaign County orders change through the same case that created them, because the assigned judge keeps your family for every later matter. Gavvl Law files the right motion in the right side of the Family Court — the DR local change motions for a decree, or Ohio Uniform Forms 26, 27, and 28 for orders between unmarried parents — as a flat-fee filing or full representation when the change is fought.

Two form sets under one roof. Everything lives in one combined Family Court, but a DR decree is modified with the county's local change motions while an order between unmarried parents uses the Ohio Uniform forms — Form 27 for custody, Form 26 for parenting time, Form 28 for support. We match the form set to the side that entered your order.
Clearing the change-in-circumstances bar. Moving the residential parent requires a change in circumstances since the last order plus a best-interest finding under R.C. 3109.04(E) — a higher bar than adjusting the schedule. We document that change with dates and records so the motion isn't dismissed before it's heard.
Relocation notice built in. A residential parent planning a move files a Notice of Relocation under R.C. 3109.051(G) before anything else, and reopening a DR case or raising an issue not before the court is a $250 deposit. We fold both into the plan so a move or a support change doesn't trip over procedure.

School-placement designation is administrative and is treated differently from an actual change of custody, so the wrong framing can sink a strong case. We name what you're really asking for — custody, schedule, or support — and file it under the standard that governs it.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the motion to modify an existing custody, parenting-time, or support order. You appear at any hearing.

Modify custody or parenting time: $1,450
Modify child support: $950

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your modifications case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Champaign County Family Court (Domestic Relations–Juvenile–Probate Division)

200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays)
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Champaign County Family Court (Juvenile side)
200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays)

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

There is an existing Champaign County custody, parenting-time, or support order.
Something significant has changed — income, a move, the child's needs, or safety.
You want to change the residential parent, the schedule, or the support amount.
You have records and dates documenting the change since the last order.

Filing Fees

DR reopen/issue-not-before-the-court $250 · Juvenile modification motions $250 · DV/Dating CPO modifications follow the protection-order track · confirm with the Clerk at (937) 484-1027

Forms & Filing Packets

Change custody (residential parent) — $250 reopen/issue not before the court (DR) · $250 Juvenile motion

On the DR side file the Motion for Change in Allocation of Parental Rights; on the Juvenile side use Ohio Uniform Form 27. Attach the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit.

Family Court Cover Sheet — Required cover sheet for every initial Champaign County Family Court filing. Must be printed single-sided.
Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers — Required in every case so personal identifiers stay out of the public record (the filer must redact under Sup. R. 45). Printed single-sided.
Motion for Change in Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (DR local) — The DR motion to change the residential parent / legal custodian. Faces the higher R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances standard.
Motion for Change of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Ohio Uniform Form 27) — The Juvenile-side motion to change the residential parent / legal custodian. Faces the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances standard.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Champaign County local) — Required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.

Change the parenting-time schedule — $250 reopen/issue not before the court (DR) · $250 Motion for Visitation (Juvenile)

Parenting time modifies on a best-interest basis. On the DR side use the Motion for Change in Parenting Time; on the Juvenile side use Ohio Uniform Form 26. The Standard Order of Parenting Time is the fallback if you can't agree.

Motion for Change in Parenting Time (DR local) — Asks the court to adjust the parenting-time schedule (judged on the child's best interest — not the same as changing custody) in a DR case.
Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Ohio Uniform Form 26) — The Juvenile-side motion to change a parenting-time/companionship schedule without changing the residential parent.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Champaign County local) — Required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.

Change child support — $250 reopen/issue not before the court (DR) · $250 Juvenile motion

File the local Motion for Change in Child Support (DR) or Ohio Uniform Form 28 (Juvenile) with a fresh Ohio worksheet and an updated income affidavit.

Motion for Change in Child Support, Medical Support, Tax Exemption, or Other Child-related Expenses (DR local) — The DR motion to change child support, medical support, the tax exemption, or other child-related expenses. Support changes use the R.C. 3119.79 standard.
Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
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.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses (Champaign County local) — Champaign County's local income, expense, and financial-information affidavit. Each party files their own.

Relocation notice add-on

A residential parent who intends to move files the Notice of Relocation so the court and the other parent get notice (R.C. 3109.051(G)).

Notice of Relocation (Champaign County) — A residential parent who intends to move files this so the court and the other parent get notice (R.C. 3109.051(G)); the other parent can ask to adjust parenting time.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Champaign County

Identify what you're changing. Decide whether you need to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or support — each has a different standard.
Document the change. Gather records and dates showing the change in circumstances since the last order: income, a move, school or health needs, or safety concerns.
Complete the right motion. Use the DR local change motion or the matching Ohio Uniform Juvenile form (26/27/28), with the parenting or income affidavits. File a Notice of Relocation first if you're moving.
File in the issuing side and serve. File in the side of the Family Court that entered the order, pay the deposit, and serve the other party.

Champaign County Practice Notes

Custody changes need a change in circumstances. Under R.C. 3109.04(E), modifying the residential parent requires a change in circumstances arising since (or unknown at) the prior order, plus a finding that the change serves the child's best interest — a higher bar than adjusting the schedule. School-placement designation is administrative and is treated differently from a change of custody.
One court, two form sets. Even though everything is in one Champaign County Family Court, DR decrees use the county's local change motions while orders between unmarried parents use the Ohio Supreme Court Uniform forms (Form 27 custody, Form 26 parenting time, Form 28 support). Match the form set to the side that issued your order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file a post-decree motion in Champaign County?: File in the same Family Court case that issued the order — the assigned judge keeps the family. DR decrees (divorce, dissolution, legal separation) are modified or enforced on the DR side using the local change motions; orders entered between unmarried parents are modified on the Juvenile side using Ohio Uniform Form 27 (custody), Form 26 (parenting time), or Form 28 (support). Reopening a DR case or filing an issue not currently before the court is $250.
Do I have to tell the court before moving with my child in Champaign County?: Yes. A residential parent who intends to move files a Notice of Relocation (R.C. 3109.051(G)) so the court and the other parent get notice; the other parent can then ask the court to adjust parenting time. The Standard Order of Parenting Time also bars permanently removing the child from the court's jurisdiction without first getting a hearing.
How is child support calculated in Champaign County?: Champaign County uses Ohio's statewide guidelines — there is no county formula. Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator with both parents' gross incomes, parenting-time, health-insurance, and child-care figures, then print and sign the worksheet. The Champaign County CSEA (1512 S. US Hwy 68, Ste. N100, Urbana; (937) 484-1500) collects and enforces the order, typically by automatic wage withholding.
What is the standard parenting-time schedule in Champaign County?: When parents cannot agree, the court applies its Standard Order of Parenting Time (Family Court Local Rules, Exhibit B): alternate weekends Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 6:00 p.m., a Tuesday 5:00–8:00 p.m. evening on the off weeks, alternating holidays by odd/even year, a split Christmas (Dec. 24 noon–Dec. 25 noon and Dec. 25 noon–Dec. 26 noon, alternating), and four summer weeks taken as two two-week blocks.

Free Local Resources in Champaign County

Champaign County Family Court Clerk's Office. 200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078. Phone (937) 484-1027 / (937) 484-1028; fax (937) 484-1026; email clerks@ccfamct.us. Hours Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Clerks can check that the right blanks are filled in but cannot give legal advice. Online records (eServices): https://eservices.champaigncountyfamilycourt.com.
Champaign County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Champaign County Department of Job & Family Services / CSEA, 1512 S. US Hwy 68, Ste. N100, Urbana, OH 43078. Phone (937) 484-1500; website https://www.champaigndjfs.org. Establishes, collects, and enforces support and can establish paternity administratively.
Champaign County Law Library. Located on the basement level of the Champaign County Court of Common Pleas, open Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Self-represented parties can research the law there.
Children Services (abuse / neglect). Report concerns during business hours at (937) 484-1500 (ask for Children Services Intake); after hours/holidays call the Champaign County Dispatch Center at (937) 653-3409. Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.

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.

Related guides

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

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.
How to Modify Child Support in Ohio — Child support orders aren't permanent. When income or circumstances change substantially, Ohio lets you modify support — through a CSEA review or a court motion. Here's how.
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.