Emergency Custody in Coshocton County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 5, 2026

Coshocton County, Ohio · Coshocton

When a child faces an immediate risk to health or safety, the Coshocton County Juvenile Court can issue temporary ex parte custody orders. For never-married parents, the court provides Tab 11 — a Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders — which is filed alongside an underlying complaint or motion. Ex parte orders are temporary, and a prompt hearing follows.

How do I get an emergency custody order in Coshocton County, Ohio?

For never-married parents, file the Coshocton County Juvenile Court's Tab 11 — Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders — alongside an underlying complaint or motion (Tab 1, 4, 7, 8, or a non-parent Tab 12). The motion must be verified (sworn) and show an immediate risk to the child's health or safety. If granted, the ex parte order is temporary and the court sets a prompt follow-up hearing where the other parent can respond. Married or divorcing parents request emergency relief by motion inside the pending divorce at the Court of Common Pleas. Call the Juvenile Court at (740) 622-8969.

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: Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas

318 Main St, Coshocton, OH 43812, Coshocton, OH 43812
Phone: (740) 622-1595
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: commonpleas.coshoctoncounty.us

Emergency Custody is the right path if…

A child is facing an immediate risk to health or safety that can't wait for a normal hearing.
You can swear to specific facts in a verified motion.
You have (or are filing) an underlying custody complaint or motion to attach the emergency request to.
You understand an ex parte order is temporary until the full hearing.

Filing Fees

Juvenile Court deposits vary — call (740) 622-8969 · Tab 11 must be filed with an underlying complaint or motion · Filings preferred by email to doc426@coshoctoncounty.net with an original signature.

Forms & Filing Packets

Emergency orders with a new custody complaint

Filed at the Coshocton County Juvenile Court when no case is open yet — file Tab 11 together with the underlying Complaint (Tab 4).

Tab 11 — Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders — Verified motion for emergency orders; filed alongside an underlying complaint or motion (Tabs 1, 4, 7, 8, or 12).
Tab 4 — Complaint for Custody & Parenting Time — Use when no order exists and the parents disagree on custody or parenting time.
Tab 28 — Parent Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.

Emergency orders in an existing case

Filed at the Coshocton County Juvenile Court when a case is already open — file Tab 11 alongside the relevant motion (Tab 7, 8, or 12).

Tab 11 — Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders — Verified motion for emergency orders; filed alongside an underlying complaint or motion (Tabs 1, 4, 7, 8, or 12).
Tab 7 — Motion for Change of Custody & Parenting Time — Use when the parties disagree on a change to custody or parenting time.

How to File Emergency Custody in Coshocton County

Confirm immediate risk. Emergency orders are for an immediate risk to the child's health or safety. If there's no emergency, file the standard custody complaint instead.
Prepare the underlying case. File (or have on file) the underlying complaint or motion — Tab 4 for a new custody case, or Tab 7/8/12 in an existing case.
Complete the verified Tab 11. Fill out the Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders with specific, sworn facts, and add the Parent Proceeding Affidavit (Tab 28) for a new case.
File with the Juvenile Court. File in person or email doc426@coshoctoncounty.net with an original signature. Call (740) 622-8969 to confirm the deposit.
Attend the prompt hearing. If the court grants an ex parte order, it's temporary. Attend the follow-up hearing where the other parent can respond and the court decides next steps.

Coshocton County Practice Notes

Tab 11 never stands alone. The Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders is filed alongside Tabs 1, 4, 7, 8, or the non-parent Tab 12. The court needs an underlying case to attach the emergency request to.
Verified and specific. Ex parte relief requires a sworn motion with specific facts showing immediate danger. Vague allegations are routinely denied; a prompt hearing is set so the other parent can respond.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an emergency custody order in Coshocton County?: For unmarried parents, file the Juvenile Court's Verified Motion for Ex Parte Emergency Orders (Tab 11). It is filed alongside an underlying complaint or motion (Tabs 1, 4, 7, 8, or a non-parent Tab 12). The motion must be verified and show an immediate risk to the child's health or safety. If granted, an ex parte order is temporary and a prompt hearing follows.
Do I file custody in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Coshocton County?: If you are married to (or were married to) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside your divorce or dissolution at the Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas. If you were never married, paternity and custody are handled by the Coshocton County Juvenile Court. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed in Juvenile Court.
When does Coshocton County appoint a Guardian ad Litem?: In a contested custody case, the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) — a court-appointed attorney who investigates and files a written report recommending what is in the children's best interest before the merit hearing. In a divorce or dissolution, the court sets a minimum GAL deposit of $500, with any fees beyond that billed to the parties; in the Coshocton County Juvenile Court the GAL fee is $1,000. GAL fees are typically allocated between the parents at the court's discretion. The court may also order a custody evaluation in higher-conflict cases.
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 Coshocton County

Coshocton County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (740) 622-1456 or visit https://commonpleas.coshoctoncounty.us before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Coshocton County Probate/Juvenile Court (unmarried parents). 426 Main Street, Coshocton. Probate (740) 622-1837 · Juvenile (740) 622-8969 · Resource Center (740) 295-7315. Hon. Jason W. Given. File by email to doc426@coshoctoncounty.net with an original signature.
Coshocton County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Coshocton County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support. 725 Pine Street, Coshocton · (740) 622-1020.
Free Family Law Clinic. A no-cost monthly clinic where you can speak with a volunteer attorney. Held at the Coshocton County Juvenile Court, 426 Main Street, with appointments starting at 2:00 p.m. Pre-register by calling Legal Aid of Southeast & Central Ohio (LASCO) at (614) 827-0527.
First Step Family Violence Services. Local advocacy, shelter, and protection-order help for survivors of domestic violence in Coshocton County. Call (740) 622-8504.

Related to your emergency custody case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Grandparents' Rights — Seek visitation or custody when it serves the child's best interest.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

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

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.
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.
Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.

Keep exploring

Ohio Emergency Custody guide — Statewide overview of emergency custody in Ohio.
Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina metro.
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