Shared Parenting in Guernsey County

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

Guernsey County, Ohio · Cambridge

Shared parenting designates both parents as residential parents and legal custodians under a written plan. In Guernsey County you ask for it by filing the Ohio Supreme Court Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) with your case, and the court reviews it against the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. The county's standard and long-distance parenting-time schedules are set out in Local Form D-7.

How do I get shared parenting in Guernsey County, Ohio?

File an Ohio Supreme Court Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) with your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or parentage case. The plan must address where the children live, the parenting-time schedule, decision-making, and child support. The court reviews it under the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors and, if approved, designates both parents as residential parents and legal custodians. Guernsey County's default schedule (Local Form D-7) provides a standard and a long-distance schedule you can adopt or modify. If minor children are involved, both parents must complete the Rule 19.07 parenting seminar.

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: Guernsey County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

801 East Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725, Cambridge, OH 43725
Phone: (740) 432-9230
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk of Courts to confirm current hours)
Website: guernseycounty.gov/clerk-of-courts/
e-Filing: https://clerkofcourts.guernseycounty.org/eservices/efile.page.15

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Guernsey County Juvenile Court
801 East Wheeling Avenue, Suite 101-D (Second Floor), Cambridge, OH 43725, Cambridge, OH 43725
Phone: (740) 432-9266
Hours: Monday–Friday (call (740) 432-9266 to confirm current hours)

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to be designated residential parents and legal custodians.
You can cooperate enough to follow a joint parenting plan and decision-making.
You have (or are filing) a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or parentage case.
A shared schedule is realistic given where each parent lives and works.

If shared parenting isn't workable, the court can name one residential parent and legal custodian instead. See the custody guide.

Filing Fees

Filed inside a divorce, dissolution, or parentage case — covered by that case's filing fee ($250 for divorce/dissolution) · fee waiver available (Local Form D-18)

Forms & Filing Packets

Shared parenting plan filing

File the Shared Parenting Plan with the county's parenting schedule and the parenting affidavit.

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio Supreme Court Form 20) — Required when both parents will share parental rights as residential parents and legal custodians.
Standard and Long-Distance Parenting Schedules (Local Form D-7) — Guernsey County's local default parenting-time schedule, including a long-distance schedule.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Local Form D-3, R.C. 3127.23) — The UCCJEA affidavit disclosing where the children have lived for the past five years. Required in any case involving minor children.
Notice of Education Seminar Requirement (Local Form D-6, Rule 19.07) — The mandatory parenting-seminar notice served on both parents in any case involving minor children.

Long-distance schedule add-on

Use the long-distance schedule in Form D-7 when the parents live far apart.

Standard and Long-Distance Parenting Schedules (Local Form D-7) — Guernsey County's local default parenting-time schedule, including a long-distance schedule.

How to File Shared Parenting in Guernsey County

Draft the Shared Parenting Plan. Complete Ohio Supreme Court Form 20, addressing residence, parenting time, decision-making, and child support.
Choose a parenting schedule. Adopt or adapt the standard or long-distance schedule in Local Form D-7 to fit your family.
File with your case. File the plan with your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or parentage case at the Clerk of Courts.
Complete the parenting seminar. Both parents complete the Rule 19.07 seminar (Form D-6) and file proof of completion.
Attend the best-interest review. The court reviews the plan under the R.C. 3109.04(F) factors and, if approved, designates both parents as residential parents and legal custodians.

Guernsey County Practice Notes

Form 20 is the plan. The Ohio Supreme Court Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) is the document that asks the court to designate both parents as residential parents and legal custodians. It must be complete to be approved.
Best interest still governs. Even when both parents agree, the court reviews the plan against the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors before approving shared parenting.
Know the local schedule (D-7). Local Form D-7 sets Guernsey County's standard and long-distance parenting-time schedules. They control unless the parties agree to a different arrangement or the court orders one.
The parenting seminar applies. Local Rule 19.07 requires both parents to complete the parenting-education seminar (Form D-6) in shared-parenting cases involving minor children.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does shared parenting work in Guernsey County?: Shared parenting means both parents are designated residential parents and legal custodians under a written plan. To ask for it, file Ohio Supreme Court Form 20 (Shared Parenting Plan) with your case. The court reviews the plan against the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors. Guernsey County's local default parenting-time schedule is set out in Local Form D-7 (Standard and Long-Distance Parenting Schedules).
Is a parenting class required in Guernsey County?: Yes. Under Guernsey County Local Court Rule 19.07, both parents must complete a mandatory parenting-education seminar in every divorce, dissolution, and custody case involving minor children. Local Form D-6 (Notice of Education Seminar Requirement) is served on both parties. The court will not issue a final decree or judgment entry until both parents complete the seminar and file proof of completion — skipping it can stall your case. Confirm the approved provider, cost, and format on Form D-6 or with the Clerk.
How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Guernsey County?: The Guernsey County Clerk of Courts charges a flat $250.00 filing fee for ALL divorce and dissolution complaints — there is no difference between cases with children and cases without. The fee is due at the time of filing. Protection orders (DV CPO and civil stalking/SOOPO) have no filing fee by Ohio statute. Some other fees (legal separation, parentage, post-decree motions, and the separate Juvenile Court fee schedule) are not published online — call the Clerk before filing. If you can't afford the $250, file Form D-18 (Application for Waiver of Filing Fee).
Do I file in the General Division or the Juvenile Court in Guernsey County?: Both divisions sit in the same building — the Common Pleas Courthouse at 801 East Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge — but they are separate courts with different staff and procedures. Divorce, dissolution, and legal separation are filed with the Clerk of Courts in the General Division. The Guernsey County Juvenile Court (Suite 101-D, Second Floor, (740) 432-9266) handles juvenile matters. Notably, the parentage/custody complaint packet for never-married parents is made available through the Clerk of Courts — confirm with the Clerk which division will docket your filing.

Free Local Resources in Guernsey County

Guernsey County Clerk of Courts. Provides the pre-assembled divorce, dissolution, and parentage packets, the local D-series forms, the e-filing portal, and online cost payment. The Clerk cannot give legal advice but can hand you forms and accept filings. Confirm the $250 fee and copy requirements before filing.
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS). The free legal-aid provider for the Guernsey County area (nearest office in New Philadelphia). Call (330) 339-3998 or 1-800-686-3670 for help with divorce, custody, protection orders, and child support if you qualify.
Guernsey County CSEA (through County Job & Family Services). Opens IV-D child-support cases, runs income withholding, distributes payments, and handles administrative reviews of existing orders (JFS 01849). File Local Forms D-4 and D-5 when establishing or modifying support.
Ohio Legal Help. Statewide self-help portal at ohiolegalhelp.org with free guided interviews that complete the Ohio Supreme Court family-law forms used in Guernsey County.

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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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.