Hocking County Child Custody Attorneys

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

Hocking County, Ohio · Logan

Ohio decides custody — the "allocation of parental rights and responsibilities" — on the child's best interest. In Hocking County, custody is handled in the Common Pleas DR Division when the parents are married/divorcing and in the Juvenile Court when they were never married.

Hire Gavvl for your Hocking County custody case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Hocking 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 does child custody work in Hocking County, Ohio?

The court allocates parental rights on the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). Married/divorcing parents address custody in the Common Pleas DR Division as part of the divorce; never-married parents establish parentage and file in the Juvenile Court ((740) 385-3615; custody deposit $100.00). Ohio uses sole custody (one residential parent/legal custodian) or shared parenting (both, under an approved plan) — not "joint" or "primary" custody.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Hocking County custody case

Ohio calls custody the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and Hocking County decides it on the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) — a list of factors covering each parent's wishes, the child's adjustment to home and school, everyone's health, and which parent will honor court-ordered parenting time. Whether your case belongs in the Common Pleas DR Division (married or divorcing) or the Juvenile Court (never married), Gavvl Law builds the best-interest case, files the right complaint or motion, and represents you at a flat fee or fully when custody is contested.

Evidence organized around the statutory factors. Custody turns on the R.C. 3109.04 factors, not on who files first. We organize the evidence around those factors — stability, each parent's day-to-day involvement, and willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent — and prepare you for a guardian ad litem, who is often appointed in a contested case.
Sole custody vs. shared parenting explained straight. Ohio recognizes sole custody (one residential parent and legal custodian) and shared parenting (both, under an approved plan) — not "joint" or "primary" custody. We explain what each really means for decision-making and the schedule and pursue the structure that matches your situation, including a Form 20 plan when shared parenting fits.
Correct division, one flat fee. Married or divorcing parents address custody inside the $300 divorce/DR case; never-married parents establish parentage and file in the Juvenile Court on a $100 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 15). We file in the correct division from the start, quote one flat fee up front, and offer payment plans and financing so a contested case doesn't stall over cost.

In the Common Pleas DR Division your case is heard by Magistrate Joe Nemec, whose decision Judge Jason M. Despetorich reviews on any objection, while never-married cases go before Hon. Jonah M. Saving in the Juvenile Court — both at 1 East Main Street in Logan. Knowing how each judge and magistrate wants a best-interest case presented is what turns the R.C. 3109.04 factors into a parenting order you can live with.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the custody complaint or motion; you appear at any hearing.

Establish custody: $1,250
Modify custody: $1,450

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.

Start your custody case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Hocking County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division

1 East Main Street
Phone: (740) 385-4027
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hocking County Juvenile Court (Common Pleas, Juvenile Division)
1 East Main Street
Phone: (740) 385-3615
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Child Custody is the right path if…

You need a first custody order or want to be named residential parent.
You and the other parent cannot agree on a parenting arrangement.
You want a clear parenting-time schedule the court will enforce.
The case turns on the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04.
You may need a guardian ad litem appointed in a contested case.

Filing Fees

Custody is decided within a divorce/DR case ($300.00 deposit) or a Juvenile custody case ($100.00 deposit, Juvenile Local Rule 15) · the court decides on the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04) · confirm amounts with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616.

Forms & Filing Packets

Custody in a divorce / DR case (married parents) — Decided within the $300.00 divorce/DR case

Custody is decided as part of the divorce, legal separation, or annulment in the Common Pleas DR Division. File the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, the county Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit, a child-support worksheet, and a parenting plan or Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20/21).

Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit (Local Rule 63.01) — A Hocking County local affidavit required in any domestic-relations case involving minor children. Available on the Common Pleas Forms page.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.

Custody for never-married parents — Custody $100.00 (Juvenile Local Rule 15)

After parentage is established, file a complaint for allocation of parental rights (Form 23) in the Juvenile Court with the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and a child-support worksheet. Custody/companionship motions are set for pretrial and final hearing within 90 days of filing.

Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 23) — Asks the Juvenile Branch to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set a parenting-time schedule when the parents were never married.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA. Required in any case involving minor children.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
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.

How to File Child Custody in Hocking County

Confirm the right court. Married/divorcing parents address custody in the Common Pleas DR Division; never-married parents establish parentage and file in the Juvenile Court.
Decide what you're asking for. Choose between sole custody (one residential parent and legal custodian) or shared parenting (both, under a Form 20 plan).
File the case and affidavits. File the complaint or motion with the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, the county Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit, and a child-support worksheet.
Prepare for the best-interest review. The court weighs the R.C. 3109.04 factors; a guardian ad litem may be appointed in a contested case.
Get the parenting order entered. The court names the residential parent/legal custodian (or approves shared parenting), sets a schedule, and orders support.

Hocking County Practice Notes

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.
Guardian ad Litem in contested cases. In a contested custody case, the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem — a court-appointed attorney — to investigate and recommend a parenting plan in the child's best interest. The GAL does not represent the child's wishes; the GAL represents what is best for the child. GAL fees are typically allocated between the parents.
Sole custody vs. shared parenting. Ohio uses sole custody (one residential parent and legal custodian) or shared parenting (both designated under an approved plan). Ohio does not use the terms "joint custody" or "primary custody."
Local Rule 76 — Option C presumed. For married/formerly married parents, Local Rule 76 gives standard parenting-time options with a rebuttable presumption that Option C (Standard Schedule) — alternating weekends Friday 6:00 p.m.–Monday 6:00 p.m. plus a Wednesday overnight — is in the children's best interest. A 10% child-support reduction applies automatically when local-rule parenting time is ordered (Local Rule 74.01(E)).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the court decide custody in Hocking County?: On the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F)(1), which lists 10+ factors including each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of suitable age), the child's adjustment to home/school/community, the mental and physical health of everyone involved, and which parent is more likely to honor court-approved parenting time. A guardian ad litem may be appointed in a contested case.
What is the difference between sole custody and shared parenting in Ohio?: In sole custody one parent is the residential parent and legal custodian; in shared parenting both parents are designated legal custodian and residential parent under a court-approved plan (Form 20). Ohio does not use the terms "joint custody" or "primary custody."
We were never married — where do I file for custody in Hocking County?: In the Hocking County Juvenile Court (Common Pleas, Juvenile Division), Hon. Jonah M. Saving, 1 East Main Street, Logan; (740) 385-3615. Before custody or support can be ordered for an unmarried father, parentage usually must be established.
What is the standard parenting-time schedule in a Hocking County divorce?: For married/formerly married parents, Local Rule 76 presumes Option C (Standard Schedule) is best: alternating weekends Friday 6:00 p.m.–Monday 6:00 p.m. plus a Wednesday overnight. Parents can choose Option A (week-on/week-off), B (2-2-3), or D (weekend only), or agree to their own plan.
Which Hocking County court hears my family-law case?: Married/formerly married matters — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree, and adult protection orders — are heard in the Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division ((740) 385-4027). Never-married parentage, custody, support, companionship, and non-parent custody are heard in the Juvenile Court ((740) 385-3615). Both are at 1 East Main Street, Logan.

Free Local Resources in Hocking County

Hocking County DIY Divorce Forms. The Common Pleas Court's do-it-yourself divorce information and form links for self-represented filers: https://hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas/DIY-Divorce-Forms
Hocking County Common Pleas Forms. Domestic-relations forms, including the county Party and Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavits and the Notice of Intent to Relocate: https://hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas/Forms
Hocking County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Hocking County DJFS, 350 State Route 664 N, Logan, OH 43138; (740) 385-5663. Establish, modify, collect, and enforce child support (including interstate cases).
Ohio Child Support Calculator. The official 2024 Income Shares calculator used to estimate child support before you file: https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/
Hocking County Prosecutor — Victim Services & Sheriff. Help filing a protection order: Prosecutor's Office of Victim Services (740) 385-5343; Hocking County Sheriff's Office (740) 385-2131.

Related to your custody 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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on custody and related Ohio family law topics.

Ohio Child Custody Laws: What Every Parent Should Know — Ohio custody law turns on one principle: the best interest of the child. This guide explains sole custody, shared parenting, the statutory factors, and how courts decide.
Shared Parenting in Ohio: How Joint Custody Really Works — Shared parenting is Ohio's version of joint custody — both parents stay legal custodians and share major decisions. Here's what a plan must cover and how courts decide.
Fathers' Rights in Ohio: Custody, Paternity, and Parenting Time — Ohio law does not favor mothers over fathers — but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they have any rights. Here's how fathers protect their relationship with their children.
Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.

More Hocking County family-law resources

Ohio Custody guide — Statewide overview of custody in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Hocking County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Hocking County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
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