Crawford County Post-Decree Modification Attorneys

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

Crawford County, Ohio · Bucyrus

Life changes after a final order. In Crawford County, post-decree motions stay in the same case that issued your decree. To change custody, parenting time, child support, or spousal support, you file a motion to reopen the closed case — the deposit is $200.

Hire Gavvl for your Crawford County modifications case

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

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How do I modify a custody or support order in Crawford County, Ohio?

File a motion to reopen the case that issued your order; the post-decree motion deposit is $200. A DR order from a divorce or dissolution is modified in the same Common Pleas case; a never-married juvenile order is modified in the Juvenile Court (a modification deposit is about $200). Changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04); changing support requires a substantial change in circumstances (R.C. 3119.79), and a support change can also start through CSEA at (419) 562-0773. Confirm the current deposit with the Clerk at (419) 562-2766 or the Juvenile Court at (419) 562-1896.

Reopen your Crawford County order with Gavvl Law

Life changes after a final order, and in Crawford County a post-decree motion stays in the same case that issued your decree. To change custody, parenting time, child support, or spousal support, you file a motion to reopen the closed case for a $200 deposit, and Gavvl Law identifies the right court, documents the change in circumstances, and argues the motion on a flat fee.

Filed in the court that issued the order. A divorce or dissolution order is reopened in the Common Pleas case; a never-married order is modified in the Juvenile Court, where a modification runs about $200. We file in the issuing court so your motion lands on the right docket and is not bounced for the wrong forum.
Meeting the change-in-circumstances bar. Reallocating the residential parent needs a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding under R.C. 3109.04, and a support change needs a substantial change under R.C. 3119.79. We gather the income records, relocation notice, or proof of the child's needs that clears the bar.
A flat fee, with a CSEA shortcut where it helps. A support change can also start through a CSEA review at (419) 562-0773, sometimes faster than a motion. We choose the route that fits and quote a single flat fee up front with payment plans.

Crawford charges a $200 deposit to reopen a DR case and about $200 for a Juvenile modification, while an agreed judgment entry is just $50. When you and the other parent already agree on the change, we use the agreed-entry route so you are not paying for a contested fight you do not need.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the motion to modify an existing custody, parenting-time, or support order. You appear at any hearing.

Modify custody or parenting time: $1,450
Modify child support: $950

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.

Start your modifications case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Crawford County Court of Common Pleas

112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-5771
Hours: Monday–Friday
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Crawford County Juvenile & Probate Court
112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-1896
Hours: Monday–Friday

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

Circumstances have changed since your last order — income, relocation, the child's needs, or the parents' situations.
You want to change custody, parenting time, child support, or spousal support.
You know which court issued the order — Common Pleas (married) or the Juvenile Court (never married).
For support, you can provide current income information and a new Ohio worksheet.

Filing Fees

DR post-decree motion deposit $200 · Juvenile modification about $200 (verify) · support motions need a current income affidavit and a new worksheet; a support change can also start through CSEA. Court fees and deposits change — confirm the current amount with the Crawford County Clerk of Courts at (419) 562-2766 (Domestic Relations) or the Juvenile Court at (419) 562-1896 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Modify a DR order (from a divorce or dissolution) — $200 post-decree motion deposit

File a post-decree motion to reopen the Common Pleas case for a $200 deposit. Support motions need a new financial affidavit and worksheet; custody changes require a change in circumstances and a best-interest finding.

Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
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.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.

Modify a juvenile order (never-married parents) — About $200 for a Juvenile modification (verify; waiver available)

File a motion to modify in the Juvenile Court that issued the order; a modification deposit is about $200. Support changes use a new worksheet; custody changes require a change in circumstances (R.C. 3109.04).

Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you ask the court to set or change support.
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.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Crawford County

Identify the issuing court. Reopen a DR order in the original Common Pleas case; modify a never-married order in the Juvenile Court.
Document the change. Gather proof of the changed circumstances — income records, a relocation notice, or evidence about the child's needs.
Prepare the motion and worksheet. For support, complete a new financial affidavit and Ohio worksheet; for custody, state the change in circumstances and best-interest basis.
File and pay the deposit. File the motion to reopen, pay the $200 deposit (or request a waiver), and serve the other party.
Attend the hearing. The court applies the change-in-circumstances and best-interest standards and enters a modified order if warranted.

Crawford County Practice Notes

Modify in the case that issued the order. Post-decree motions stay in the same case that issued your decree — a divorce or dissolution order is reopened in the Common Pleas case; a never-married order is modified in the Juvenile Court.
Higher bar to change the residential parent. Reallocating the residential parent requires a change in circumstances since the last order plus a finding that the change serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04). A support change requires a substantial change in circumstances (R.C. 3119.79).
CSEA can review support. A support change can begin through CSEA's review process at (419) 562-0773 as well as by motion in the issuing court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change or enforce a Crawford County order?: Post-decree motions stay in the same Common Pleas case that issued your decree. To change custody or support, or to enforce an order, file a motion to reopen the closed case for a $200 deposit; an agreed judgment entry is $50. A support change can also start through the county agency (CSEA) at (419) 562-0773. If a matter set for a hearing settles, tell the court promptly.
Which court handles family law in Crawford County?: All family law runs through the Court of Common Pleas at 112 E. Mansfield Street in Bucyrus. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, property division, and civil protection orders are heard before Judge Sean E. Leuthold, (419) 562-5771. Custody, parenting time, and child support for never-married parents are heard in the Juvenile Court before Judge Patrick T. Murphy, (419) 562-1896. Adoption is handled by the Probate Court before Judge Murphy, Suite 103, (419) 562-5876.
How does the Crawford County CSEA help with child support?: The Crawford County child support agency (CSEA) handles support; reach it at (419) 562-0773. Support is set under Ohio's guidelines, collected by income withholding, and paid through the state. A support change can also start through CSEA's review process.
Do I file custody in Common Pleas or Juvenile Court in Crawford County?: If you are married to (or divorcing) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at the Court of Common Pleas before Judge Leuthold. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled by the Crawford County Juvenile Court before Judge Murphy — in the same courthouse at 112 E. Mansfield Street.
What is the Juvenile Court filing fee in Crawford County?: The Juvenile Court confirmed a deposit of about $250 for a new filing such as custody or parentage, and about $200 for a modification. Because it is not a posted schedule, verify the exact amount when you file at (419) 562-1896. A fee waiver is available if you cannot afford the deposit.

Free Local Resources in Crawford County

Crawford County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Current filing fees, deposit amounts, and case filing for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree matters. File in person in Suite 204 at 112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus; (419) 562-2766. No e-filing yet; fax is reserved for emergencies. Local court rules and the Proposal for Temporary Orders are at https://crawfordcocpcourt.org/local-court-rules/.
Crawford County Juvenile & Probate Court. Handles never-married-parent parentage, custody, parenting time, and support, plus non-parent custody, abuse/neglect/dependency (CPS), and adoption. Juvenile (419) 562-1896; Probate Suite 103 (419) 562-5876. Judge Patrick T. Murphy presides over both.
Crawford County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, and pays through the state. Opens IV-D cases and can review existing orders. Contact (419) 562-0773.
Crawford County Children Services hotline. To report a concern about a child's safety, call (419) 563-1570, which runs 24 hours. In an emergency, call 911.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

Related to your modifications case

Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Related guides

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

Post-Decree Modifications in Ohio: Changing Your Order After Divorce — Your divorce decree isn't carved in stone. When life changes, Ohio lets you modify custody, parenting time, and support — but each requires meeting a specific legal standard. Here's how.
How to Modify Child Support in Ohio — Child support orders aren't permanent. When income or circumstances change substantially, Ohio lets you modify support — through a CSEA review or a court motion. Here's how.
Contempt Motions in Ohio Family Court: Enforcing Your Order — When the other parent ignores a court order — withholding the children or refusing to pay support — a contempt motion is how Ohio courts enforce it. Here's how the process works.