Filing for Shared Parenting in Clermont County

How do I file for shared parenting in Clermont County, Ohio?

Prepare a Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20 in Domestic Relations, or the Juvenile Court plan form) addressing living arrangements, holidays, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, and dispute resolution. Married parents file it with the Clermont County Domestic Relations Court at 2340 Clermont Center Drive, Suite 200, Batavia — under DR Local Rule 22 the motion and proposed plan are due at least 30 days before the final hearing. Never-married parents file the plan at the Juvenile Court, Suite 100. The court reviews the plan against the children's best interest.

Where to File: Clermont County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Clermont County Juvenile Court
2340 Clermont Center Drive, Suite 100, Batavia, OH 45103, Batavia, OH 45103
Phone: (513) 732-7696
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

• Both parents want to be named residential parent and legal custodian.
• You can agree on a workable schedule, decision-making, and dispute resolution.
• You can submit a complete written plan covering every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor.
• Ohio is the children's home state under the UCCJEA.

Filing Fees

Filed with the underlying custody or divorce case — no separate shared-parenting deposit · DR plan due 30 days before the final hearing (DR Local Rule 22)

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Shared Parenting in Clermont County

1. Confirm both parents want shared parenting. Shared parenting names both parents residential parent and legal custodian — it requires a workable, complete plan.
2. Draft the plan covering every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor. Address living arrangements, holidays, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution.
3. File in the correct court on time. Married parents file in DR (Form 20 + Form 601), at least 30 days before the final hearing; never-married parents file the Juvenile plan form.
4. Attend the hearing. The court reviews the plan against the children's best interest before adopting it in the decree.

Clermont County Practice Notes

• File the plan 30 days before the final hearing. Under DR Local Rule 22, the motion for shared parenting and the proposed plan must be filed at least 30 days before the final hearing. A plan that skips a required factor is routinely sent back for revision.
• Shared parenting plan must address every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor. A written Shared Parenting Plan must address physical living arrangements, holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making authority, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. Plans that skip a factor are routinely sent back for revision.
• 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

Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Clermont County?

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, Suite 200. If you were never married, paternity and custody go to the Clermont County Juvenile Court, Suite 100 — both at 2340 Clermont Center Drive in Batavia. Grandparent and non-parent custody is always Juvenile. Civil Protection Orders are filed in Domestic Relations.

Is the parenting seminar required in Clermont County?

Yes. Under DR Local Rule 27, when a divorce, dissolution, or legal separation involves a child under 16, each parent must attend a court-approved parenting seminar within 45 days after service of the order; failure can result in contempt. Clermont approves FCS Successful Co-Parenting through OSU Extension (~$45) and Children in Between (~$45.70), both online.

What does it mean for Ohio to be my child's 'home state' under the UCCJEA?

Under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127), Ohio is the children's home state when they have lived in Ohio with a parent for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before the filing. If the children recently moved, the prior state may still have jurisdiction. Ohio courts can also decline jurisdiction as an inconvenient forum under R.C. 3127.21 even when home-state requirements are met.

Free Local Resources in Clermont County

• Clermont County Domestic Relations Court Forms & Self-Help. All DR Court forms organized by number and by name, filing checklists (Appendix A), the costs-and-filing-fees schedule, and the 'Can I Talk to a Judge?' guide are posted at domesticcourt.org/organized-by-form-name.
• Domestic Court Law Clinic & Legal Aid Help Clinic. A monthly volunteer-attorney clinic (9 a.m.–noon at the Clermont County Library, 326 Broadway Street, Batavia) reviews documents before filing, and the Legal Aid Society Legal Help Clinic runs the 3rd and 4th Wednesday each month, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., at the DR Court for divorce, dissolution, and post-decree matters (no CPO advice).
• Ohio Justice Bus at the DR Court. The mobile legal-aid office parks in the DR Court lot the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., offering free DR legal advice and forms help — no appointment needed (domesticcourt.org/the-ohio-justice-bus).
• Clermont Supports Kids (CSEA). Clermont County's IV-D child-support agency at 2400 Clermont Center Drive, Suite 107, Batavia, (513) 732-7248. Opens support cases, runs the Income Shares calculation, and enforces orders. Payments through Ohio SMART e-Pay at oh.smartchildsupport.com (clermontsupportskids.org).

Other Family-Law Topics in Clermont County

• Clermont County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in Clermont DR.
• Clermont County Dissolution — Both-parties-agree route — faster and cheaper than divorce.
• Clermont County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file at Juvenile Court.
• Clermont County Child Support — Set or enforce support through the DR Court or Clermont Supports Kids.

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.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting 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.