Post-Decree Modifications in Crawford County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 9, 2026
Crawford County, Ohio · Bucyrus
After a Crawford County divorce or dissolution is final, either party may return to court to request changes to child support, custody, parenting time, or (if jurisdiction was retained) spousal support. Crawford County has a distinctive procedural rule: post-decree motions must be brought to the Domestic Relations Case Manager before filing so the case can be assigned a hearing date.
How do I modify a Crawford County divorce or dissolution decree?
First, bring your post-decree motion to the Domestic Relations Case Manager (Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145) before filing — Crawford County requires this so the case can be assigned a hearing date. Use the right Ohio Supreme Court form: Form 27 to change parental rights/custody, Form 28 to change child support, or Form 26 to change parenting time. The filing fee for all post-decree motions is $200. The initial hearing may serve as both a pretrial conference and a final hearing if the other party does not appear or does not object.
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 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus, OH 44820, Bucyrus, OH 44820Phone: (419) 562-5771
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: crawfordcocpcourt.org/
Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)
Crawford County Juvenile and Probate Court
112 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-5771
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…
- Your or the other parent's circumstances have changed since the order was entered.
- It has been 36 months or longer since the last child-support review.
- The parenting-time schedule is no longer working.
- The decree retained jurisdiction over spousal support and a change has occurred.
If the other party is violating the existing order, you may want a contempt motion instead — or alongside. See Crawford County post-decree contempt.
Filing Fees
$200 per post-decree motion · Must go through the DR Case Manager (Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145) before filing · Initial hearing may also be the final hearing if the other party doesn't object
Forms & Filing Packets
Change of parental rights — Form 27 — $200
Requires a change in circumstances. Bring the motion to the DR Case Manager before filing.
- Motion for Change of Parental Rights (Supreme Court Form 27) — Asks the court to reallocate parental rights and responsibilities after a final order, based on a change in circumstances.
- Custody Affidavit / UCCJEA (Affidavit 3) — Lists where each child has lived and with whom. Required whenever minor children are involved.
- Child Support Worksheet (Ohio 2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court is asked to set support.
Change of child support — Form 28 — $200
Available on a change of circumstances or 36+ months since the last review. Run a current worksheet.
- Motion for Change of Child Support (Supreme Court Form 28) — Asks the court to modify an existing child-support order — a change of circumstances, or 36+ months since the last review.
- Child Support Worksheet (Ohio 2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court is asked to set support.
Change of parenting time — Form 26 — $200
A schedule adjustment that does not change custody.
- Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Supreme Court Form 26) — Asks the court to adjust the parenting-time schedule after a final order.
How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Crawford County
- Identify what you need to change. Custody/parental rights (Form 27), child support (Form 28), or parenting time (Form 26). Spousal support is modifiable only if the decree retained jurisdiction.
- Bring the motion to the DR Case Manager. Before filing, take your motion to the Domestic Relations Case Manager (Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145) to be assigned a hearing date — this is required in Crawford County.
- Run a current child-support worksheet if support is involved. For Form 28 (and often Form 27), run the Ohio Child Support Worksheet and document the change in circumstances.
- File with the Clerk and pay $200. File at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus, and pay the $200 post-decree motion fee. Arrange service on the other party.
- Attend the hearing. The initial hearing may serve as both a pretrial and a final hearing if the other party does not appear or does not object.
Crawford County Practice Notes
- Start with the DR Case Manager. Crawford County requires that post-decree motions be brought to the Domestic Relations Case Manager (Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145) before filing, so the case can be assigned a hearing date.
- The initial hearing can be the final hearing. The initial hearing on a post-decree motion may serve as both a pretrial conference and a final hearing if the other party does not appear or does not object to the requested relief.
- Pick the right form. Form 27 changes parental rights/custody (requires a change in circumstances), Form 28 changes child support (change of circumstances or 36+ months since the last review), and Form 26 changes parenting time. The fee for each is $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I start a post-decree motion in Crawford County?
- Post-decree motions must be brought to the Domestic Relations Case Manager — Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145 — before filing, so the case can be assigned a hearing date. The initial hearing on a post-decree motion may serve as both a pretrial conference and a final hearing if the other party does not appear or does not object to the requested relief.
- How much does it cost to file a family law case in Crawford County?
- Crawford County's filing fees are: dissolution $200, divorce $300, post-decree motion $200, Answer and Cross-Complaint with service $100, service by publication $500, QDRO $50, agreed judgment entry $50, and CPO petitions are free. Confirm the current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 562-5771 before filing.
- Does Crawford County have its own divorce and dissolution forms?
- No. Crawford County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized domestic relations forms for all filings, and no local form packets are provided beyond the state forms. The only Crawford County local forms are the Affidavit and Counter-Affidavit for Temporary Orders and the Medical Support (Form 26.1) and Child Support (Form 26.2) provisions.
- Where do I file a family law case in Crawford County?
- All family law matters — domestic relations, juvenile, and probate — are handled in the same courthouse: the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus, OH 44820. The phone number is (419) 562-5771 and the court is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Is mediation available in Crawford County?
- Yes. Both Crawford County magistrates — Timothy A. Roston and Russell J. Long — serve dual roles as court mediators, and a case may be referred to mediation at any point.
Free Local Resources in Crawford County
- Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — free legal information and interactive court forms for Ohio family law cases.
- Legal Aid of Western Ohio. Serves Crawford County. Call 1-888-534-1432 for income-qualified legal help.
- Crawford County Law Library. Located in the Courthouse at 112 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus.
- Crawford County DR Case Manager. Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145. Post-decree motions must be brought to the case manager before filing to be assigned a hearing date. Call (419) 562-5771.
- Crawford County Common Pleas Court. crawfordcocpcourt.org — local court rules, Guardian ad Litem information, and the aspirational parenting guidelines.
Other Family-Law Topics in Crawford County
- Crawford County Divorce — Full filing guide with forms, fees, and the affidavit-based temporary orders system.
- Crawford County Dissolution — Cooperative path — both spouses agree first. $200 filing fee.
- Ohio Child Support Calculator — Run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself.
- Ohio family-law resources — 88-county directory of courts and legal aid.
Related to your post-decree 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.
Keep exploring
- Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
- Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
