Shared Parenting in Crawford County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 9, 2026
Crawford County, Ohio · Bucyrus
Shared parenting designates both parents as residential parents and legal custodians under a written plan. In Crawford County, you propose a Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) inside your divorce or dissolution, or in the Juvenile Court for never-married parents. The county also has a detailed standard parenting time schedule under Local Rule 25 that your plan can adopt or adapt.
How do I get shared parenting in Crawford County, Ohio?
Submit a proposed Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) that sets the physical schedule, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution. Married parents file it inside the divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas; never-married parents file it with the parentage/custody case in the Juvenile Court. Crawford County's Local Rule 25 standard parenting time schedule (with separate under-90-mile and over-90-mile versions) can be adopted or adapted in your plan. Both courts are at 112 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus.
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.
Shared Parenting is the right path if…
- Both parents want to be residential parents and legal custodians.
- You can agree on (or propose) a workable physical schedule and decision-making framework.
- You want to use or adapt Crawford County's Local Rule 25 standard parenting time schedule.
- You can complete the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) addressing schedule, decisions, transportation, and dispute resolution.
Filing Fees
Filed inside the divorce/dissolution ($300/$200) or in Juvenile Court · Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) required · Local Rule 25 standard schedule available · No parenting class required
Forms & Filing Packets
Shared parenting inside a divorce/dissolution (married parents)
File the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) with your divorce or dissolution packet at the Court of Common Pleas.
- Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20) — Used when both parents will be residential parents and legal custodians. Sets the physical schedule, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution.
- 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.
Shared parenting for never-married parents (Juvenile Court)
File the Shared Parenting Plan with the parentage/custody complaint in the Crawford County Juvenile Court.
- Complaint for Parentage, Custody & Parenting Time (Form 23 / Juv. Form 2) — Filed in the Crawford County Juvenile Court by never-married parents to establish parentage and allocate custody, parenting time, and child support.
- Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20) — Used when both parents will be residential parents and legal custodians. Sets the physical schedule, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution.
- 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.
How to File Shared Parenting in Crawford County
- Confirm both parents want shared parenting. Shared parenting makes both parents residential parents and legal custodians. If only one parent will be the residential parent, use the sole Parenting Plan (Form 21) instead.
- Draft the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20). Address the physical schedule, holidays and vacations, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution. You can adopt or adapt the Local Rule 25 standard schedule.
- Pick the right court. Married parents file the plan inside the divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at the Court of Common Pleas. Never-married parents file it with the parentage/custody case in the Juvenile Court.
- File the supporting forms. Include the UCCJEA affidavit and a child support worksheet. For never-married parents, file the Form 23 parentage/custody complaint as well.
- File with the Clerk and serve the other parent. File at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus. Call (419) 562-5771 to confirm the deposit and copies.
Crawford County Practice Notes
- The plan must be complete. A Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) sets the physical living arrangements, holiday and vacation schedule, decision-making authority, transportation, and dispute resolution. A complete, workable plan is what the court reviews.
- Local Rule 25 standard schedule. Crawford County's standard parenting time schedule has two versions. Under 90 miles one way: alternate weekends, one Wednesday evening, and four weeks of summer in two-week increments with 60 days notice. Over 90 miles one way: monthly weekend visits (if under 3.5 hours travel), half of summer, and alternating school breaks, with the non-residential parent providing weekend transportation. Holiday schedules alternate by odd/even years.
- Aspirational parenting guidelines. Crawford County publishes aspirational parenting guidelines on the court website to help parents structure normal parenting matters. Your plan can incorporate them.
- No parenting class. Crawford County does not require a parenting class — Local Rule 25.3 has been suspended indefinitely since March 25, 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Crawford County's standard parenting time schedule?
- Crawford County has a detailed standard parenting time schedule built into Local Rule 25, with two versions. Under 90 miles one way: alternate weekends (Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 6:00 p.m.), one Wednesday evening per week (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), and four weeks of summer in two-week increments with 60 days advance notice. Over 90 miles one way: monthly weekend visits (if travel is under 3.5 hours), half of summer vacation, and alternating school breaks, with the non-residential parent providing all transportation for weekend visits. Both versions include detailed holiday schedules that alternate by odd and even years.
- 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 Crawford County Court of Common Pleas. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled by the Crawford County Juvenile Court — in the same courthouse at 112 East Mansfield Street.
- Is a parenting class required in Crawford County?
- No. Crawford County's parenting class requirement (Local Rule 25.3) has been suspended indefinitely since March 25, 2010. You do not need to complete a court-approved parenting class before your final hearing in Crawford County.
- 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.
- 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.
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 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.
- 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.
