Columbiana County Child Custody Attorneys

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

Columbiana County, Ohio · Lisbon

In Ohio, "custody" means the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. In Columbiana County, where you file depends on whether the parents were married: the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas (105 South Market Street, Lisbon) for married or divorcing parents, and the Columbiana County Juvenile Court (Charles A. Pike Juvenile Center, 260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon) for never-married parents, after parentage is established. The court decides custody and parenting time using the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. Columbiana County has no blanket parenting-class requirement — a judge or magistrate may order a class on a case-by-case basis. A shared-parenting plan uses the Ohio Supreme Court Form 20.

Hire Gavvl for your Columbiana County custody case

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

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How do I file for custody in Columbiana County, Ohio?

If you and the other parent were married, custody is decided inside your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation in the Domestic Relations Division — file the local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit and an Ohio child-support worksheet with that packet. If you were never married, custody is decided in the Columbiana County Juvenile Court after parentage is established; Juvenile Local Rule 19(B) requires you to first request a CSEA administrative determination of support and attach a copy. The court applies the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. Columbiana County does not require a parenting class in every case — a judge or magistrate orders one case by case (DR Local Rule 9.9(C); Juvenile Rule 9.2). A shared-parenting plan uses the Ohio SC Form 20. Custody inside a divorce is part of the $300 DR deposit; a never-married Juvenile case is $120 for the first child and $75 for each additional child.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Columbiana County custody case

In Ohio, custody means the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and in Columbiana County where you file turns on whether the parents were married — the Domestic Relations Division at 105 South Market Street in Lisbon for married or divorcing parents, and the Juvenile Court for never-married parents after parentage is established. The court decides on the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. Gavvl Law files the local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit, meets the county's court-specific steps, and approves one flat fee up front, with full representation for contested cases.

Two courts, two starting points. Married and divorcing parents resolve custody inside the divorce, dissolution, or legal separation, while never-married parents file in the Juvenile Court only after parentage — and Local Rule 19(B) first requires a CSEA administrative determination. We start you in the right court so the case isn't delayed by a wrong-venue filing.
No automatic parenting class here. The Clerk confirmed Columbiana has no across-the-board parenting-class requirement; a judge or magistrate orders one only case by case under DR Local Rule 9.9(C) or Juvenile Rule 9.2. We prepare for that possibility without assuming a class is required, so you aren't sent chasing a certificate you don't need.
Shared parenting on the Ohio Form 20. If both parents want to be residential parents and legal custodians, Columbiana uses the Ohio Supreme Court Form 20 plan with the county's companionship schedule. We draft the plan against the R.C. 3109.04 factors so the court can approve it as in the children's best interest.

Custody inside a divorce is part of the $300 Domestic Relations deposit, while a never-married Juvenile case runs $120 for the first child and $75 for each additional child. Ohio must be the children's home state under the UCCJEA — they've lived here the prior six months — which we confirm on the county's local Custody Affidavit before filing.

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: Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)

105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: (330) 424-7777
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Columbiana County Juvenile Court (Charles A. Pike Juvenile Center)
260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: (330) 424-4071
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (filings before 3:30 PM)

Custody is the right path if…

You need a court order setting where the children live and how parenting time and decisions are divided.
You and the other parent can't agree on parenting time, schooling, or major decisions.
Ohio is the children's home state under the UCCJEA — they've lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
You understand a parenting class is ordered only case by case in Columbiana County, not automatically.

Filing Fees

Custody inside a divorce/dissolution: part of the $300 case deposit · never-married custody in Juvenile Court: $120 first child + $75 each additional · no blanket parenting-class fee (ordered case by case) · juvenile filings are in person or by mail before 3:30 p.m. — confirm current amounts with the Clerk.

Forms & Filing Packets

Custody inside a divorce or dissolution (married parents) — Part of the $300 divorce/dissolution deposit

When parents are married, custody, parenting time, and support are decided inside the Domestic Relations case — there is no separate "custody case."

Columbiana County Custody Affidavit (UCCJEA — local) — Local UCCJEA / parenting-proceeding affidavit required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years.
Columbiana County Financial Affidavit (local — replaces OSC Affidavit 1) — Columbiana County uses its own local Financial Affidavit in place of the Ohio Supreme Court Affidavit 1. Required (typed) wherever support is at issue.
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.
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.
Uniform Local Companionship Plan (Local Rule 9.4 — Appendix K-1) — Columbiana County's standard, age-graduated parenting-time schedule with a detailed holiday rotation. Attached to the order unless the court approves a different plan.

Custody in the Juvenile Court (never-married parents) — $120 first child + $75 each additional child (Juvenile)

Used when parents were never married. Parentage must be established first, and Local Rule 19(B) requires a CSEA administrative determination of support. A separate filing is made per child.

CSEA Administrative Determination Request (Juvenile Rule 19(B)) — Before filing a parentage or child-support action in Juvenile Court, Columbiana County Local Rule 19(B) requires you to first request an administrative determination through CSEA (7989 Dickey Drive, Lisbon · (330) 424-1479) and attach a copy of that request to your complaint or motion.
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.
Columbiana County Custody Affidavit (UCCJEA — local) — Local UCCJEA / parenting-proceeding affidavit required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years.
Columbiana County Financial Affidavit (local — replaces OSC Affidavit 1) — Columbiana County uses its own local Financial Affidavit in place of the Ohio Supreme Court Affidavit 1. Required (typed) wherever support is at issue.
Written Request for Service (Juvenile — Local Rule 5) — Required with every Columbiana County Juvenile filing so the Clerk issues service on the other parties.

Shared parenting add-on

When both parents seek to be residential parents, add the Ohio SC Form 20 Shared Parenting Plan and the county's companionship schedule.

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.
Uniform Local Companionship Plan (Local Rule 9.4 — Appendix K-1) — Columbiana County's standard, age-graduated parenting-time schedule with a detailed holiday rotation. Attached to the order unless the court approves a different plan.

How to File Custody in Columbiana County

Pick the right court. Married/divorcing parents file in the Domestic Relations Division; never-married parents file in the Columbiana County Juvenile Court. Non-parent custody is always Juvenile.
Confirm UCCJEA home state. The children must have lived in Ohio for the prior 6 months. You swear to those facts on the local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit.
Start at CSEA if never married. For never-married parents, parentage must be established and Local Rule 19(B) requires a CSEA administrative determination of support, a copy of which is attached to the filing.
Assemble the packet. Married parents: the divorce/dissolution packet plus the UCCJEA affidavit and support worksheet (add the Ohio SC Form 20 plan for shared parenting). Never-married parents: the Ohio SC Form 23 complaint with the Child Custody Affidavit and financial affidavits.
File and proceed. File with the Clerk, pay the applicable deposit, and serve the other parent. Contested cases proceed under the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors; a parenting class applies only if the court orders one.

Columbiana County Practice Notes

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.
No blanket parenting-class requirement. The Clerk of Courts confirmed (June 2026) Columbiana County has no across-the-board parenting-class requirement. A judge or magistrate may order a class on a case-by-case basis (DR Local Rule 9.9(C); Juvenile Rule 9.2). If ordered, you arrange and pay for the seminar, complete it, and file the attendance certificate.
Guardian ad Litem in contested cases. In a contested custody case, the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem — a court-appointed attorney — to investigate and recommend a parenting plan in the child's best interest. The GAL does not represent the child's wishes; the GAL represents what is best for the child. GAL fees are typically allocated between the parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Columbiana County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Columbiana County for at least 90 days before filing. Dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
We were never married — where do I file for custody or support in Columbiana County?: In the Columbiana County Juvenile Court at the Charles A. Pike Juvenile Center, 260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon — (330) 424-4071, Judge Thomas M. Baronzzi (R.C. 2151.23). If you were married, custody and support travel with the divorce, dissolution, or legal separation in the Domestic Relations Division instead.
Do I have to take a parenting class for a Columbiana County custody or divorce case?: Not automatically. The Clerk of Courts confirmed (June 2026) Columbiana County has no across-the-board parenting-class requirement — a judge or magistrate may order one on a case-by-case basis (DR Local Rule 9.9(C); Juvenile Rule 9.2). If ordered, you arrange and pay for the seminar yourself, complete it, and file the attendance certificate.
Does Columbiana County have its own parenting-time schedules?: Yes. Local Rule 9.4 establishes the Uniform Companionship Plan, Local Rule 9.41 is the Long Distance Companionship Schedule, and Local Rule 9.42 is the Transitional Schedule. Pick the schedule that matches your situation (or attach a custom plan); the local rules govern unless the court orders otherwise.
What shared-parenting plan does Columbiana County use?: Columbiana County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) — there is no separate local plan form. Under an approved plan both parents are residential parent and legal custodian. The county's Uniform Local Companionship Plan (Local Rule 9.4) sets the parenting-time schedule, with a Long Distance schedule (9.41) when the parents live far apart.
What does it cost to file in Columbiana County Juvenile Court?: The Probate/Juvenile Division charges a flat per-child filing fee — $120 for the first child and $75 for each additional child (confirmed with the Juvenile Clerk, June 2026). For example, a custody filing for two children is $195. There is no e-filing: original documents are filed in person or by mail with wet signatures, and all juvenile filings must be made before 3:30 p.m. The Division does not publish its full schedule online, so confirm the current fee at (330) 424-4071.

Free Local Resources in Columbiana County

Columbiana County Clerk of Courts (Anthony J. Dattilio). 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432. Phone (330) 424-7777.
Columbiana County Local Rules. ccclerk.org/common-pleas-court-rules — Local Rules 9.4, 9.41, 9.42 and DR procedure.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. supremecourt.ohio.gov — used for the complaint, decree, parenting plans, and post-decree motions.
Columbiana County Local Forms (ccclerk.org). Case Designation Sheet, Personal Information Form, Financial Affidavit, UCCJEA, IV-D Application.
Local Companionship Schedules. Rule 9.4 (Uniform), Rule 9.41 (Long Distance), Rule 9.42 (Transitional) — linked from ccclerk.org.
Charles A. Pike Juvenile Center. 260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon — (330) 424-4071. Judge Thomas M. Baronzzi. Filings before 3:30 p.m.
Columbiana County Law Library. columbianacountylawlibrary.org — research and self-help resources.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and form walkthroughs.

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.

Keep exploring Columbiana County family law

Ohio Custody guide — Statewide overview of custody in Ohio.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
Columbiana County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Columbiana County guide.
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