Clark County Child Custody Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026

Clark County, Ohio · Springfield

In Ohio, "custody" means the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. In Clark County, where you file depends on whether the parents were married. Married or divorcing parents resolve custody inside their divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in the Domestic Relations Adult Section at 101 N. Limestone Street. Never-married parents file in the Clark County Juvenile Section. Either way, the court decides custody and parenting time using the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors.

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Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Clark County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

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 file for custody in Clark County, Ohio?

If you and the other parent were married, custody is decided inside your divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Adult Section at 101 N. Limestone Street, Springfield — file the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3) and an Ohio Child Support Worksheet with your case packet. If you were never married, file a Complaint for Parentage, Custody & Parenting Time (Supreme Court Form 23) in the Clark County Juvenile Section, which establishes the father and allocates parental rights in one case. Dissolution carries a $350 deposit; divorce and Juvenile deposits are set by the Clerk — call (937) 521-1753 for Adult Section amounts. Juvenile court charges a $25 non-refundable fee for court-appointed counsel.

Clark County custody, handled by a flat-fee attorney

In Ohio, custody means the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and in Clark County the courthouse door depends on your marriage. Married or divorcing parents resolve custody inside the divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Adult Section at 101 N. Limestone Street; never-married parents file a Complaint for Parentage, Custody & Parenting Time (Form 23) in the Clark County Juvenile Section. Either way the court applies the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. Gavvl Law files in the right section and offers a flat fee approved up front, or full representation when custody is contested.

Filing in the correct section the first time. Custody for married parents belongs in the Domestic Relations Adult Section, while never-married parents must open a Juvenile Section case with Form 23 that establishes the father in the same filing. We route your case to the right court so it is not dismissed and refiled across town.
Arguing the best-interest factors that decide it. R.C. 3109.04(F) turns on each parent's wishes, the child's adjustment to home and school, everyone's health, and which parent honors parenting time. We build your evidence around those specific factors — not vague claims — so the judge or magistrate has what the statute asks for.
Shared or sole, with the right plan attached. Asking for shared parenting means a notarized Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) covering living arrangements, the holiday schedule, decision-making, and dispute resolution; a sole-residential request uses Form 21 instead. We draft the plan that matches your goal plus the affidavits and worksheet that support it.

If you cannot afford counsel in the Clark County Juvenile Section, court-appointed representation is available for a $25 non-refundable application fee, and never-married cases run through the Juvenile Section at clarkohiojuvcourt.us rather than 101 N. Limestone Street. We help you file in the right forum and offer a flat fee approved up front with payment plans.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the custody complaint or motion; you appear at any hearing.

Establish custody: $1,250
Modify custody: $1,450

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.

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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: Clark County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations (Adult Section)

101 North Limestone Street, Springfield, OH 45502
Phone: (937) 521-1753
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: Court website

Custody is the right path if…

You need a court order setting who the children live with and how parenting time and decision-making are divided.
You and the other parent can't agree on parenting time, school enrollment, or major decisions for the children.
You and the other parent were never married, so custody must be filed in the Juvenile Section.
You are asking the court to approve shared parenting or to name one parent the residential parent and legal custodian.

Filing Fees

Married parents: custody is part of the divorce or dissolution deposit (dissolution is a $350 deposit; the divorce deposit is set by the Clerk at (937) 521-1753) · Never-married parents: Juvenile deposit — contact the Juvenile Section · Court-appointed counsel: $25 non-refundable application fee.

Forms & Filing Packets

Custody inside a Clark County divorce or dissolution (married parents)

Filed in the Domestic Relations Adult Section. When parents are married, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside the divorce or dissolution — there is no separate "custody case."

Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3 — UCCJEA, R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set support.
Sole-Residential Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian. Sets parenting time, decision-making, and exchanges.

Custody in the Clark County Juvenile Section (never-married parents)

Filed in the Clark County Juvenile Section. The Complaint for Parentage, Custody & Parenting Time (Form 23) establishes the father and allocates parental rights and parenting time in a single case.

Complaint for Parentage, Custody & Parenting Time (Supreme Court Form 23) — Opens a custody, parenting-time, and support case for never-married parents in the Clark County Juvenile Section. Establishes parentage and allocates parental rights in one filing.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3 — UCCJEA, R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Affidavit of Income, Expenses & Financial Disclosure (Affidavit 1) — Must be notarized. Required at filing in every Clark DR case. Both parties file their own.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set support.

Add: a shared parenting request

When both parents will be residential parent and legal custodian, attach a proposed Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20). It must be notarized and address every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor.

Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents and legal custodians under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.

How to File Custody in Clark County

Pick the right court — Adult Section or Juvenile Section. Married or divorcing parents file in the Domestic Relations Adult Section at 101 N. Limestone Street. Never-married parents file in the Clark County Juvenile Section.
Establish parentage if you were never married. File the Complaint for Parentage, Custody & Parenting Time (Form 23) in the Juvenile Section. It establishes the father and allocates custody, parenting time, and support in one case.
Complete the parenting affidavit and support worksheet. File the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3), the Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4), and an Ohio Child Support Worksheet. Add a notarized Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) if you are asking for shared parenting.
File with the Clerk and serve the other parent. File your packet and arrange service on the other parent. Call (937) 521-1753 for current Adult Section deposit and copy requirements; contact the Juvenile Section for Juvenile filing amounts.
Attend the hearing. The court holds a pretrial or status conference first, then a merit hearing if the case does not settle. The Judge or Magistrate applies the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors.

Clark County Practice Notes

Best-interest standard governs. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) lists the factors the court weighs: each parent's wishes, the child's wishes when of sufficient age, the child's relationships and adjustment to home, school, and community, the physical and mental health of everyone involved, which parent is more likely to honor parenting time, and any history of abuse.
Adult Section vs. Juvenile Section. Clark County's Domestic Relations Division is split in two. The Adult Section handles custody for married or divorcing parents at 101 N. Limestone Street. The Juvenile Section (clarkohiojuvcourt.us) handles custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents.
Shared parenting needs a written Form 20 plan. A Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) must be notarized and address physical living arrangements, the holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution. If one parent will be the sole residential parent, use the Parenting Plan (Form 21) instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I file in the Juvenile Section instead of DR?: If you were never married to the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are filed in the Clark County Juvenile Section (clarkohiojuvcourt.us), not in DR. If you were married, those issues travel with the divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in DR at 101 N. Limestone Street.
How does a Clark County court decide custody and parenting time?: Ohio courts allocate parental rights using the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors — each parent's wishes, the child's wishes when of sufficient age, the child's relationships and adjustment to home and school, the physical and mental health of everyone involved, which parent is more likely to honor parenting time, and any history of abuse. In Clark County these issues are decided in the Adult Section for married parents and the Juvenile Section for never-married parents.
What is a shared parenting plan in Clark County?: Shared parenting (R.C. 3109.04(G)) names both parents as residential parent and legal custodian under a written plan. In Clark County you file the Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20), which must be notarized, covering living arrangements, the holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution. If one parent will be the sole residential parent instead, use the Parenting Plan (Form 21).
How much does it cost to file in Clark County DR?: Dissolution is a $350 deposit (not a flat fee — the balance is refunded after costs). For divorce, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree motions, deposits are set by the Clerk — call (937) 521-1753 for the current amount before filing. CPO petitions are free. Juvenile court charges a $25 non-refundable application fee for court-appointed counsel.
Is mediation available in Clark County?: Yes. Clark County offers court-connected mediation for custody, parenting time, and other family-law disputes — including post-decree motions. Either party can request a referral using the Clark County Mediation Referral Form, or the Magistrate can refer sua sponte. Mediation is generally not used in CPO cases involving domestic violence.

Free Local Resources in Clark County

Clark County DR Clerk. 101 N. Limestone Street, Springfield, OH 45502. Phone (937) 521-1753 for filing-fee deposits, copy requirements, and procedural questions.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. Clark County uses these forms for every DR case type — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree modifications. Available at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
Clark County Public Library (Main Branch, S. Fountain Ave.). LawPak Ohio Dissolution forms at the Reference Desk and access to the Cengage Legal Forms Database (library card required).
Clark County Mediation Referral. Court-connected mediation for custody, parenting time, and post-decree disputes. Referral form linked from clarkcountyohio.gov DR forms page.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio. Free civil legal assistance for income-qualifying Clark County residents. Call (877) 894-4599.
Clark County Bar Association. Lawyer referral service. clarkcobar.com.
United Way 2-1-1 (Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties). Free 24/7 referral line for local shelter, advocacy, and social services.

Related to your custody 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 custody and related Ohio family law topics.

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.
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.
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.
Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.

More Clark County family-law resources

Ohio Custody guide — Statewide overview of custody in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Clark County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Clark County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Call (513) 643-1969 or email support@gavvl.com.