Franklin County Post-Decree Modification Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 26, 2026

Franklin County, Ohio · Columbus

Once a final order is in place, you don't go back to square one when things change. You file a motion to modify — or, when the other side is violating the order, a motion to enforce (contempt). Franklin DR and the Juvenile Branch both hear post-decree motions, and the standard depends on what you're trying to change.

Hire Gavvl for your Franklin County modifications case

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

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

How do I modify a Franklin County custody or support order?

File the motion in the same court that issued the original order (Franklin County DR at 373 South High Street, or the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street). To change residential parent / legal custodian under R.C. 3109.04(E)(1), you must show (1) a change of circumstances of the child or residential parent since the prior decree, (2) modification is in the child's best interest, and (3) the harm of changing is outweighed by the benefits. To modify parenting time, the bar is best interest only. For child support, a 10%+ change in the worksheet number or 36-month review is sufficient. For enforcement, file a Motion to Show Cause / Contempt.

Put a flat-fee attorney on your Franklin County modification

A final order isn't the end — when income, schedules, a relocation, or a child's needs change, you file to modify rather than start over. But the standard depends on what you want changed: a residential-parent change under R.C. 3109.04(E)(1) is a high bar, parenting time is best-interest only, and child support turns on a 10%-plus worksheet swing or a 36-month review. Gavvl Law files in the court that issued your order, matches your motion to the right standard, and works on a flat fee approved up front with payment plans and full representation for contested cases.

The right standard for the right change. Custody changes demand a change of circumstances, best interest, AND that the harm of moving the child is outweighed by the benefit — three separate findings under R.C. 3109.04(E)(1). Parenting time asks only best interest, and support runs on the worksheet. We frame your motion to the exact test so it isn't denied for aiming at the wrong bar.
Filed in the issuing court. Modifications must go back to the court that entered the original order — DR at 373 South High Street or the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street. We pull your existing decree, confirm the right venue, and document the change of circumstances with dated records so the Magistrate has the evidence in front of them.
Support reviews without the courtroom when possible. You don't always need a hearing to fix support. Franklin County CSEA at (614) 525-3275 will run an administrative review every 36 months, or sooner on a 10%-plus deviation, at no cost. We use the administrative track where it's faster and reserve the court motion for what actually needs a judge.

Franklin DR and the Juvenile Branch both route post-decree motions through a Magistrate, and either party has 14 days to object to the Magistrate's decision before the assigned Judge rules. We also handle relocation the right way — filing the Notice of Intent to Relocate before a move rather than arguing after — and prepare for the mediation the court often orders first, so your modification lands on solid procedure.

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.

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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: Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations

373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-4410
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Branch
399 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-4411
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

Something material has changed since the last order (income, schedule, relocation, child's needs).
The other parent isn't following the existing order and you need it enforced.
Your existing parenting time, custody designation, or child support no longer fits your reality.
It's been 36+ months since the last child-support review, OR the worksheet number is off by 10%+.

Filing Fees

~$100-$150 filing deposit · CSEA administrative reviews of child support are free

Forms & Filing Packets

Motion to modify custody / residential parent

Highest standard: change of circumstances + best interest + harm-of-changing outweighed (R.C. 3109.04(E)(1)).

Motion to Modify Allocation of Parental Rights / Parenting Time / Support — Asks the court to change an existing order. Must show a change of circumstances since the last order and that modification is in the children's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)).
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.

Motion to modify parenting time or child support

Lower bar than a custody change: best interest (parenting time) or 10%+ worksheet change / 36-month review (support).

Motion to Modify Allocation of Parental Rights / Parenting Time / Support — Asks the court to change an existing order. Must show a change of circumstances since the last order and that modification is in the children's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)).
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.
Health Insurance Affidavit — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.

Motion to Show Cause / Contempt (enforcement)

Used when the other party is in violation of an existing parenting or support order. Possible remedies: fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, jail.

Motion to Show Cause / Contempt — Asks the court to enforce an existing parenting or support order against a party who is in violation. Possible penalties include fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, and jail.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Franklin County

Find the original order and identify the issuing court. Modifications must be filed in the same court that entered the original decree or order.
Identify what you're trying to change — and apply the right standard. Custody change: R.C. 3109.04(E)(1) (high bar). Parenting time: best interest only. Child support: 10%+ change or 36-month review.
Document the change of circumstances or the violations. Keep dated records — texts, emails, school records, paystubs, GPS-stamped photos, witness statements.
File the motion in the issuing court. DR motions go to 373 South High Street. Juvenile motions go to 399 South Front Street. CSEA can also handle child-support reviews administratively at (614) 525-3275.
Attend the hearing or mediation. The court may order mediation first. The Magistrate hears the motion and issues a decision; either party has 14 days to file Objections.

Franklin County Practice Notes

Two different best-interest tests. Custody (residential parent) modifications use R.C. 3109.04(E)(1) — the high bar above. Parenting-time-only modifications use R.C. 3109.051 best interest, which is lower.
Relocation notices. Ohio requires the residential parent to file a Notice of Intent to Relocate before moving with the children. The non-residential parent can then file a motion to object or to modify parenting time. Don't move first and argue later.
Contempt has teeth. A successful contempt motion can result in fines, payment of the other party's attorney fees, makeup parenting time, and (in extreme cases) jail. Document the violations — dates, screenshots, witnesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file in Franklin County DR?: Approximate deposits: divorce or legal separation $300 without children / $350 with children; dissolution $250 without children / $300 with children; annulment $300/$350. Juvenile Branch filings for custody or support under ORC 2151.233 (paternity, never-married custody, child support, and modifications) are $175. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at 373 South High Street (DR) or 399 South Front Street (Juvenile) before filing.
How long does the case usually take?: Dissolution: 30-90 days from filing to the final hearing. Uncontested divorce or legal separation: 4-6 months. Contested divorce: 6-18 months depending on temporary-orders activity and the Magistrate's calendar. Paternity: 60-120 days if uncontested, longer if genetic testing or contested allocation is involved. Civil Protection Orders: ex parte order the same day; full hearing within 7-10 days; final order can last up to 5 years.
What does Franklin County CSEA do?: The Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency at (614) 525-3275 opens IV-D cases, runs the Ohio Income Shares calculation, collects support by wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and enforces orders (license suspension, contempt referrals, federal tax intercept). Filing an IV-D Application is standard whenever a child-support order is issued.
When can I modify a parenting or support order?: For custody / residential-parent designation under R.C. 3109.04(E), you must show a change of circumstances of the child or residential parent since the prior decree, and that modification is in the child's best interest, and that the harm of changing is outweighed by the benefits. For child support, you can request a CSEA administrative review every 36 months, or earlier on a 10%+ deviation. For parenting time, the bar is lower — best-interest only.
How do I know whether to file in DR or the Juvenile Branch?: If you are married to the other parent (or the parties were married when the children were born), custody, parenting time, and child support travel with the divorce / dissolution / legal separation / annulment in DR at 373 South High Street. If you were never married, paternity and custody go to the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street. Grandparent / non-parent custody is always Juvenile. Civil Protection Orders against a current/former intimate partner or family member go to DR.
Will my case be heard by a Judge or a Magistrate?: Most pretrial conferences, temporary-orders motions, and even contested final hearings in Franklin DR are heard by a Magistrate. The Magistrate issues a Magistrate's Decision; either party then has 14 days to file Objections, which are decided by the assigned Judge. Civil Protection Order full hearings are heard directly by the assigned Judge.
Is mediation required?: Franklin DR strongly encourages mediation in any case involving children. Court-connected parenting mediation is available at no cost in many cases. The Magistrate can order mediation at any pretrial conference. Mediation is not required, and not appropriate, in CPO cases involving domestic violence.
Can I e-file in Franklin County?: Yes. Domestic Relations filings go through drj.fccourts.org/efiling — attorneys must e-file unless excepted, and self-represented parties may e-file or file in person at 373 South High Street. The Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street accepts in-person filings; some Juvenile filings can be submitted electronically — call (614) 525-4411 to confirm before filing.

Free Local Resources in Franklin County

Franklin County DR Self-Help Resource Center. 373 South High Street. Forms, computer terminals, limited procedural help. Cannot give legal advice. Mon–Fri during court hours.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus. (614) 241-2001. Income-qualified family law representation and advice clinics across central Ohio.
Columbus Bar Lawyer Referral Service. (614) 221-0754. Paid 30-minute consultation referrals to vetted Franklin County family-law attorneys.
Franklin County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). (614) 525-3275. Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding.
Franklin County Juvenile Branch Help Center. 399 South Front Street. Procedural help for self-represented filers on never-married custody, paternity, and support cases.

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.

Continue your Franklin County research

Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Franklin County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Franklin County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Call (380) 205-3899 or email support@gavvl.com.