Shared Parenting in Champaign County

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

Champaign County, Ohio · Urbana

In Ohio, shared parenting names both parents legal custodian and residential parent under a written plan that meets R.C. 3109.04. In Champaign County, married parents propose a plan inside their Domestic Relations divorce or dissolution using the county's local Shared Parenting Plan; never-married parents propose one on the Juvenile side. When parents can't agree on a schedule, the court applies its Standard Order of Parenting Time (Local Rules, Exhibit B) — alternate weekends, an off-week Tuesday evening, alternating holidays, a split Christmas, and four summer weeks.

How does shared parenting work in Champaign County, Ohio?

Either or both parents may propose a Shared Parenting Plan covering the living schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution. The court approves the plan only if it serves the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04. Married parents file the county's local Shared Parenting Plan inside a divorce or dissolution on the DR side; never-married parents file a Motion for Shared Parenting on the Juvenile side ($250). If parents can't agree on a schedule, Champaign County's Standard Order of Parenting Time applies — alternate weekends Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 6 p.m., a Tuesday 5–8 p.m. evening on off weeks, alternating holidays, a split Christmas, and four summer weeks.

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, Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays)
Website: www.ccfamct.us
e-Filing: https://eservices.champaigncountyfamilycourt.com

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

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

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.

Filing Fees

Shared parenting rides the underlying DR case deposit (married parents) · $250 Motion for Shared Parenting on the Juvenile side · confirm with the Clerk at (937) 484-1027

Forms & Filing Packets

Shared parenting inside a DR case (married parents)

File Champaign County's local Shared Parenting Plan with the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit inside your divorce or dissolution.

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.
Shared Parenting Plan (Champaign County local) — Champaign County's local shared parenting plan, naming both parents legal custodian and residential parent under R.C. 3109.04. Filed in a DR divorce or dissolution.
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.

Shared parenting on the Juvenile side (never-married parents) — $250 Motion for Shared Parenting

File a Motion for Shared Parenting with Ohio Uniform Form 23 and the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3). A Motion for Shared Parenting carries a $250 fee.

Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 23) — Asks the Juvenile Branch to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set a parenting-time schedule when the parents were never married.
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.

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 (Champaign County local) — 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 Champaign 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 plan. Complete the county's local Shared Parenting Plan (DR side) covering the schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, health, education, and dispute resolution.
File in the right side of the court. Married parents file inside the divorce or dissolution on the DR side; never-married parents file a Motion for Shared Parenting with Form 23 on the Juvenile side ($250).
Run the support worksheet. Complete the Ohio child-support worksheet and Health Insurance Affidavit so the court can address support and medical coverage.

Champaign 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.
The Standard Order of Parenting Time is the default. If parents cannot agree, Champaign County applies its Standard Order of Parenting Time (Family Court Local Rules, Exhibit B): alternate weekends (Fri 6 p.m.–Sun 6 p.m.), a Tuesday 5:00–8:00 p.m. evening on the off weeks (with a 15-minute leeway on pickup/return), alternating holidays by odd/even year, a split Christmas, and four summer weeks taken as two two-week blocks. Neither parent may permanently remove the child from the court's jurisdiction without a hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sole custody and shared parenting in Champaign County?: Sole custody names one parent the residential parent and legal custodian; shared parenting makes both parents legal custodian and residential parent under an approved plan that meets R.C. 3109.04. Ohio does not use the terms "primary custody" or "joint custody." "Residential parent" is largely administrative (where the child lives and attends school), while "legal custody" is decision-making authority.
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.
Do I file custody in the DR or the Juvenile side in Champaign County?: If you are or were married to the other parent, custody, parenting time, and support are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation on the Domestic Relations side, using Champaign County's local DR forms. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled on the Juvenile side using Ohio Supreme Court Uniform forms (Form 23). Grandparent and other non-parent custody is always filed on the Juvenile side.
What does it cost to file on the Juvenile side in Champaign County?: Most Juvenile complaints and motions are $250 — Complaint for Custody, Complaint for Support, Complaint for Paternity, Motion for Shared Parenting, Motion for Visitation, Motion in Contempt, and a non-CSEA Motion to Terminate Support. If the children all have the same mother and father and are filed at the same time, there is only one filing fee for all of them. A fee waiver is available through the Ohio Supreme Court poverty affidavit.

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 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.
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