Enforcing Orders in Fayette County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 9, 2026

Fayette County, Ohio · Washington Court House

When the other party isn't following a court order — withholding parenting time or skipping support — a contempt (show cause) motion asks the court to enforce it. In Fayette County, you file an Ohio Supreme Court Motion for Contempt (Form 24) with a Show Cause Order (Form 25), and refer to the county's Post-Decree Motion Checklist for additional requirements.

How do I file a contempt motion in Fayette County, Ohio?

File an Ohio Supreme Court Motion for Contempt (Form 24) together with a Show Cause Order (Form 25), and refer to the Fayette County Post-Decree Motion Checklist for additional requirements. File with the Clerk of Courts on the 3rd floor at 110 East Court Street, Washington Court House, or eFile through Henschen. The filing fee is set by the Clerk (call (740) 335-6371), with an Affidavit of Indigency fee waiver available. The Show Cause Order summons the other party to a hearing to explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating the order.

Where to File: Fayette County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, 1st Floor, Washington Court House, OH 43160, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (740) 333-3501
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.fayette-co-oh.com/268/Domestic-Relations-Court
e-Filing: https://www.fayette-co-oh.com/341/eFiling-Henschen

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Fayette County Juvenile Court
Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, Washington Court House, OH 43160, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (740) 333-3501
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

  • The other party is violating a current custody, parenting time, or support order.
  • You have a final, enforceable order in place.
  • You can document the violations (missed exchanges, unpaid support).
  • You want the court to compel compliance.

Filing Fees

Filing fee set by the Fayette County Clerk of Courts — call (740) 335-6371. An Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available under Ohio Civ.R. 3(E). Pay online through BridgePayment.

Forms & Filing Packets

File a Motion for Contempt with a Show Cause Order — Fee set by the Clerk — call (740) 335-6371; Affidavit of Indigency waiver available

A Show Cause Order is filed with the contempt motion to summon the other party to a hearing. Refer to the Post-Decree Motion Checklist for additional requirements.

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Fayette County

  1. Confirm there is an enforceable order. Contempt enforces an existing order. Make sure you have a final custody, parenting-time, or support order that the other party is violating.
  2. Document the violations. Gather dates of missed exchanges or a payment history showing unpaid support to present at the hearing.
  3. Prepare the motion and Show Cause Order. Complete the Ohio SC Motion for Contempt (Form 24) and Show Cause Order (Form 25), and check the Post-Decree Motion Checklist for additional requirements.
  4. File and attend the hearing. File with the Clerk on the 3rd floor at 110 East Court Street or eFile through Henschen, serve the other party, and present your evidence at the hearing.

Fayette County Practice Notes

  • A Show Cause Order accompanies the motion. Contempt is a quasi-criminal proceeding, so the alleged violator is entitled to notice. The Show Cause Order (Form 25) filed with the Motion for Contempt (Form 24) summons them to a hearing to explain why they should not be held in contempt.
  • Document the violations. Bring proof of the violations — dates of missed parenting-time exchanges, or a payment history showing unpaid support — so the court has a clear record at the hearing.
  • Check the Post-Decree Motion Checklist. The county's Post-Decree Motion Checklist lists additional requirements that apply to contempt and other post-decree motions in Fayette County.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file a family law case in Fayette County?
The Fayette County Clerk of Courts publishes a Fee Schedule (PDF) on the Clerk's website rather than a single flat number — call the Clerk at (740) 335-6371 for the current amount for your case type before you file. If you cannot afford the deposit, an Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available for qualifying low-income filers under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E). All three court divisions accept payment online through the BridgePayment portal.
Where do I file in Fayette County?
Domestic Relations cases (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree motions, and protection orders) run through the Domestic Relations Division on the 1st floor of the Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, Washington Court House. You file your paperwork with the Clerk of Courts on the 3rd floor of the same building, or eFile through the Henschen system. Custody, support, and paternity for never-married parents are filed in the Juvenile Court at the same address.
Can I eFile in Fayette County?
Yes. Fayette County accepts electronic filing through the Henschen eFiling system, and separate instructions are available for attorneys and for pro se (self-represented) litigants on the Clerk of Courts page. You can also file in person with the Clerk of Courts on the 3rd floor of the courthouse at 110 East Court Street.
Does Fayette County have self-help checklists for filing without a lawyer?
Yes — Fayette County provides an unusually detailed set of six pro se filing checklists: a Dissolution of Marriage Checklist, a Divorce Checklist, a Post-Decree Motion Checklist, a Complaint for Custody Checklist, an Answer Checklist, and a unique Married but Separated Custody Packet. Each checklist walks you through exactly which forms are needed and how to complete them. The Juvenile Court also posts a Self-Help Custody Info sheet and a Motion to Continue / Blank Motion form.
Who decides family law cases in Fayette County?
The Honorable David B. Bender presides over all divisions of the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas — General, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile. Having one judge across every division is common in smaller Ohio counties and means scheduling, local rules, and court culture stay very consistent from one case type to the next.

Free Local Resources in Fayette County

  • Fayette County Clerk of Courts. Publishes the Fee Schedule, the six pro se filing checklists, and eFiling (Henschen) instructions. Located on the 3rd floor of the courthouse, 110 East Court Street; call (740) 335-6371 to confirm current fees before filing. Online payments are accepted through BridgePayment.
  • Pro Se Checklists & Juvenile Self-Help Forms. Fayette County posts Divorce, Dissolution, and Custody checklists plus a Juvenile Self-Help/Forms page (including the Self-Help Custody Info sheet and a Motion to Continue / Blank Motion form) for people filing without an attorney.
  • Fayette County Victim Witness Office. Provides domestic violence and protection order resources, including a downloadable Domestic Violence brochure, Protection Orders information, and a Teens, Dating Violence & Sexual Assaults page.
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program. Free, evidence-based parenting tools through the Ohio Children's Trust Fund's Triple P Online program, linked by the Fayette County Juvenile Court.
  • Ohio Legal Help & Fayette County Law Library. Ohio Legal Help (ohiolegalhelp.org) offers free plain-language guides and form help, and the Fayette County Law Library provides legal research resources and forms.

Other Family-Law Topics in Fayette County

Related to your contempt case

  • Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.
  • Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
  • Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Keep exploring

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.