Modifying a Hardin County Order

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Hardin County, Ohio · Kenton

Life changes — incomes, schedules, and where people live. In Hardin County, you change an existing custody, parenting-time, or support order by filing a motion in the same Domestic Relations Division that issued it, showing the change the law requires. Support and parenting-time changes use different legal standards.

How do I change a custody or support order in Hardin County, Ohio?

File a post-decree motion in the Domestic Relations Division that issued your order, using the county Motion & Entry. To change the residential parent/legal custodian you must show a change in circumstances plus that the modification serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)). To change child support, request a CSEA review or file a Motion for Change of Child Support (Form 28) with an updated worksheet on a substantial change — often 10%+ (R.C. 3119.79). A Domestic Relations post-decree motion deposit is $350 ($200 if agreed); a juvenile-track post-judgment motion is $150. Confirm amounts with the Clerk at (419) 674-2278.

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: Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2233
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk)
Website: hardincountyjuvenilecourt.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (juvenile, parentage & never-married matters)
One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2233
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk)

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

A final order is already in place and circumstances have changed.
You're seeking a change to custody, parenting time, or child support.
For custody, there's a meaningful change in circumstances since the last order.
For support, the guideline amount would change by about 10% or more.

Filing Fees

Domestic Relations post-decree motion $350 ($200 if agreed) · juvenile-track post-judgment motion $150 · CSEA support reviews are free · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 674-2278

Forms & Filing Packets

Modify custody or parenting time — $350 DR post-decree motion ($200 if agreed) · $150 juvenile-track motion

File the county Motion & Entry to modify the residential parent/legal custodian or the parenting-time schedule, with an updated Parenting Proceeding (UCCJEA) affidavit. Custody changes require a change in circumstances plus best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)).

Motion & Entry (Hardin County) — The county's blank motion form used to request relief in a pending or post-decree case (for example temporary orders, a contempt show-cause, or a modification).
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Hardin County) — Required in any case involving minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction over custody (R.C. 3127.23).

Modify child support

Request a CSEA administrative review or file a Motion for Change of Child Support (Form 28) with an updated worksheet and Health Insurance affidavit. A substantial change — often 10%+ — is required (R.C. 3119.79).

Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you ask the court to set or change support.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Hardin County) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support. Required in cases with children.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Hardin County

Identify the standard. Custody changes need a change in circumstances plus best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)); support changes need a substantial change, often 10%+ (R.C. 3119.79).
Gather proof. Collect evidence of the change — new income, a move, schedule changes, or the child's needs — and run an updated child-support worksheet if support is at issue.
File the motion. File the county Motion & Entry (or Form 28 for support) in the Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk and pay the applicable deposit.
Serve and attend the hearing. Serve the other parent, exchange information, and present your case; for support you can also use a CSEA administrative review first.

Hardin County Practice Notes

Domestic Relations deposits (GD Rule 3). GD Rule 3 sets the Domestic Relations cost deposits: divorce and legal separation $500; dissolution $350; other DR matters $350; a GAL appointment adds a $500 deposit; a post-decree DR motion is $350 ($200 if the change to parental rights is agreed); other civil post-judgment matters are $250. These are advance cost deposits, not flat fees. An Affidavit of Indigency (Civ.R. 3(E)) can waive prepayment. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 674-2278.
Juvenile / parentage deposits (Juv Rule 28). Never-married parentage, custody, and non-parent custody cases follow the juvenile fee schedule, not the divorce schedule: a complaint is $300, a post-judgment motion is $150, and a motion needing a Guardian ad Litem is $350 (which includes the $250 GAL deposit). Add $25 for each additional defendant; service by publication is $175. An Affidavit of Indigency can waive prepayment.
Support handled through the Hardin County CSEA. Child support is established, reviewed, and enforced through the Hardin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), 175 W. Franklin St., Suite 200, Kenton, (419) 674-2269. Open a IV-D case so support is collected by automatic wage withholding; the CSEA can order genetic testing, set support administratively, and enforce orders through license suspension, tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals.
Notice before relocating (45 days / 20 miles on the juvenile track). A residential parent must give the court advance written notice before moving. In a juvenile/parentage case, a move of more than 20 miles requires at least 45 days' written notice (Juv Rule 19); the court can then revisit the parenting-time schedule (R.C. 3109.051(G)). Obtain the current Notice of Intent to Relocate from the court before you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to file a post-decree motion in Hardin County?: In a Domestic Relations case, a post-decree motion deposit is $350, or $200 if the change to parental rights is agreed (GD Rule 3); other civil post-judgment matters are $250. On the juvenile/parentage track, a post-judgment motion is $150, and a motion that needs a Guardian ad Litem is $350 (Juv Rule 28). Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 674-2278.
Do I need permission to move with my child after a Hardin County order?: Yes. A residential parent must give the court advance written notice before relocating; in a juvenile/parentage case a move of more than 20 miles requires at least 45 days' written notice (Juv Rule 19). The court can then revisit the parenting-time schedule (R.C. 3109.051(G)). Obtain the current Notice of Intent to Relocate from the court before you move.
How is child support paid and enforced in Hardin County?: Child support is set under the Ohio guidelines (2024 Income Shares, R.C. Chapter 3119) and administered with the Hardin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), 175 W. Franklin St., Suite 200, Kenton, (419) 674-2269. Open a IV-D case so support is collected by automatic wage withholding; the CSEA can order genetic testing, review orders, and enforce through license suspension, tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals.
Which court handles divorce, custody, and support in Hardin County?: One court hears all of it: the Court of Common Pleas, Hardin County, Domestic Relations Division, One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, (419) 674-2233 (Judge Maria Santo). The same Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment for married spouses AND parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection orders — there is no separate juvenile court in Hardin County. Only adoptions and guardianships go to the separate Probate Court (Judge Steve Christopher). Petitions are filed through the Clerk of Courts, Suite 310, (419) 674-2278.

Free Local Resources in Hardin County

Hardin County Clerk of Courts (record custodian). One Courthouse Square, Suite 310 (3rd floor), Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2278 (fax (419) 674-2273). The Clerk is the record custodian for Common Pleas filings, posts local forms at https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/forms.php, and confirms current deposits and copy counts. E-filing is available through https://efile.henschen.com/; fax filings to (419) 674-2273 must be 10 pages or fewer with a compliant cover page. Court costs can be paid online at https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/payment.php.
Hardin County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division. One Courthouse Square, Suite 210 (2nd floor), Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2233 (https://hardincountyjuvenilecourt.com/). Created January 1, 2023 (R.C. 2301.03(FF)(1)) and led by Judge Maria Santo, this single Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment AND juvenile, parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection-order cases — there is no separate Juvenile Court in Hardin County.
Hardin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 175 W. Franklin St., Suite 200, Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2269. The county IV-D agency establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support. Open a IV-D case to set up automatic wage withholding and enforcement.
Hardin County Job & Family Services — Children Services Agency. (419) 675-1130 (after hours (419) 673-1268; or (800) 442-7346). The county children-services agency investigates child abuse, neglect, and dependency. For an emergency call 911; the statewide child-abuse hotline is 855-642-4453 (855-OH-CHILD).
Successful Co-Parenting (parenting-education class). Hardin County's required parenting/co-parenting education is provided through OSU Extension's "Successful Co-Parenting" program — $30 per participant, offered in person and/or online. Registration is required; call (419) 674-2297 for current Hardin County dates before relying on it for a specific case.
Hardin County Probate Court (adoption & guardianship). One Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2230. The separate Probate Court — not the Domestic Relations Division — handles stepparent and kinship adoptions ($200, plus $100 for publication if required) and guardianships; the Probate Court requires that you have an attorney for an adoption. It does not handle divorce or custody.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio. (888) 534-1432. Free civil legal help for income-eligible Hardin County residents, including some family-law matters. The Ohio Supreme Court also posts statewide self-help forms for self-represented litigants.

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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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