Shared Parenting in Hamilton County

How do I set up shared parenting in Hamilton County, Ohio?

Married or divorcing parents file the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 2.2) and the SP Holiday Schedule (Form 2.7b) at the Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations, 800 Broadway, Cincinnati, along with the Ohio child-support worksheet. The Magistrate reviews and approves or rejects the plan within about 5 business days. Never-married parents file the Juvenile Court's Custody — Shared Parenting packet with a Proposed Shared Parenting Plan. The plan must meet the R.C. 3109.04(G) factors and serve the children's best interest.

Where to File: Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hamilton County Juvenile Court
800 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: (513) 946-9431
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

• Both parents want to be residential parents and legal custodians.
• You can agree on a detailed plan for living arrangements, decisions, and holidays.
• The plan serves the children's best interest under R.C. 3109.04.
• There is no safety reason (such as domestic violence) that makes shared parenting inappropriate.

Filing Fees

Filed inside the divorce/dissolution deposit ($325/$375) at DR · Juvenile custody $200 new / $150 existing · Plans reviewed by the Magistrate within ~5 business days

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Shared Parenting in Hamilton County

1. Decide which court applies. Married/divorcing parents file the plan at the Court of Domestic Relations; never-married parents file at the Juvenile Court with the Custody — Shared Parenting packet.
2. Draft a complete plan. Address living arrangements, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution under R.C. 3109.04(G). At DR, also prepare the SP Holiday Schedule (Form 2.7b).
3. File with the support worksheet. Submit the plan with the Ohio child-support worksheet. At DR, file Form 2.2 and Form 2.7b with your petition; in Juvenile Court, file the Proposed Shared Parenting Plan with the custody packet.
4. Get Magistrate approval. The DR Magistrate reviews within about 5 business days and approves or rejects in writing. Revise and re-file if rejected before the merit hearing is set.

Hamilton County Practice Notes

• Plan and holiday schedule filed up front. Hamilton's Domestic Relations Court requires both the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 2.2) and the separate SP Holiday Schedule (Form 2.7b) at the time of filing. A rejected plan delays the merit hearing until you revise and re-file.
• Shared parenting plan must address every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor. A written Shared Parenting Plan must address physical living arrangements, holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making authority, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. Plans that skip a factor are routinely sent back for revision.
• Best-interest standard governs. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) lists 10+ factors: each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of sufficient age), the child's interaction with parents/siblings, adjustment to home/school/community, mental and physical health of all involved, the parent more likely to facilitate court-approved parenting time, child support compliance, criminal history, residence outside Ohio, and any history of abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hamilton County handle shared parenting plans?

At the Court of Domestic Relations, a proposed Shared Parenting Plan (Form 2.2) and a separate SP Holiday Schedule (Form 2.7b) must be submitted for the assigned Magistrate's approval, generally within about 5 business days. If the Magistrate rejects the plan, you revise and re-file before a merit hearing is set. In the Juvenile Court, never-married parents file a Proposed Shared Parenting Plan with the custody packet.

Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Hamilton County?

If you are married to the other parent (or were married when the children were born), custody, parenting time, and child support travel with your divorce or dissolution at the Court of Domestic Relations. If you were never married, paternity and custody go to the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Both branches sit at 800 Broadway in Cincinnati but are separate divisions. Grandparent and non-parent custody is always filed in Juvenile Court.

Is the parenting class required in Hamilton County?

Yes. Under R.C. 3109.053, both parties in any divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment involving minor children must complete a court-approved parenting education class. Hamilton accepts Parenting Through Transitions (in-person, 2.5 hours, $35 payable to the Clerk), or the online Children in Between or Two Families Now courses. Plaintiffs must finish within 42 days of filing; dissolution petitioners file proof at the time of filing. Certification is valid for two years.

How much does it cost to file a family-law case in Hamilton County?

At the Court of Domestic Relations: a divorce or dissolution deposit is $325 without children and $375 with children; establishing custody or support for married parents whose case is not part of a divorce (Section 10) is $350; and post-decree motions are $125. In the Juvenile Court, custody runs $200 for a new case or $150 for an existing one, child support is $100, and paternity is $115. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk before filing.

Free Local Resources in Hamilton County

• Hamilton County Domestic Relations Self-Help Resources. Complete listing of all Domestic Relations forms, dissolution merit instructions (Form 9.0), the decree checklist, and the Accept/Reject/Resubmit e-filing guidance at hamiltoncountyohio.gov.
• Hamilton County Clerk of Courts E-Filing. Self-represented and represented parties can e-file Domestic Relations cases at efiling.hamiltoncountycourts.org. Pro se registration is available; credit cards accepted with a convenience fee. Help line (513) 946-5612.
• Hamilton County Job & Family Services — Child Support (CSEA). Hamilton County's IV-D child-support agency. Opens cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File the IV-D Application (HC7076) when establishing or modifying support.
• Hamilton County Juvenile Court Help Center. A partnership with the UC College of Law offering low-income residents free education and limited legal advice on custody, parenting time, companionship, and support in Juvenile Court. 800 Broadway, 1st Floor; (513) 946-9440.
• Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. Free civil legal aid for low-income Hamilton County families, including help with custody, support, and domestic-violence protection orders.

Other Family-Law Topics in Hamilton County

• Hamilton County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in Hamilton DR.
• Hamilton County Dissolution — Both-parties-agree track with the Hamilton form system.
• Hamilton County Custody — Allocation of parental rights for married and never-married parents.
• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody works at a high level.

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.
• Cincinnati family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cincinnati 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.