Shared Parenting in Hocking County

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

Hocking County, Ohio · Logan

In shared parenting, both parents are designated legal custodian and residential parent under a court-approved plan. Hocking County's Local Rule 76 gives standard parenting-time options, with a rebuttable presumption that Option C (Standard Schedule) is in the children's best interest.

How do I get a shared parenting plan in Hocking County, Ohio?

File a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) asking the court to designate both parents as residential parent and legal custodian under R.C. 3109.04(G). Married/formerly married parents file in the Common Pleas General/DR Division; never-married parents file in the Juvenile Court ((740) 385-3615). The court decides on the child's best interest; Local Rule 76 presumes Option C (alternating weekends Friday 6:00 p.m.–Monday 6:00 p.m. plus a Wednesday overnight) unless you agree otherwise.

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: hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas

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.

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
The parents can cooperate enough to follow a shared plan.
You want a structured parenting-time schedule (or to propose your own).
Shared decision-making for the children is workable and in their best interest.
You're ready to file a written Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) for the court to approve.

Filing Fees

Shared parenting is decided within a divorce/DR case ($300.00 deposit) or a Juvenile custody case ($100.00 deposit, Juvenile Local Rule 15) · Local Rule 76 presumes Option C for married/formerly married parents · confirm amounts with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616.

Forms & Filing Packets

Shared parenting in a divorce / DR case — Filed within the $300.00 divorce/DR case

File the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) with the divorce or DR case, plus the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, the county Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit, and a child-support worksheet. Local Rule 76 parenting-time options apply.

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
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.
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.

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

After parentage is established, file the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) in the Juvenile Court with the parentage/custody complaint (Form 23), the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, and a child-support worksheet. The Juvenile companionship schedule (Local Rule 10) applies unless the plan provides otherwise.

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
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.
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 Shared Parenting in Hocking County

Confirm the right court. Married/formerly married parents file in the Common Pleas DR Division; never-married parents establish parentage and file in the Juvenile Court.
Draft the Shared Parenting Plan. Complete the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) covering residential and decision-making responsibilities, a parenting-time schedule, holidays, and child support.
File with the required affidavits. File the plan with the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, the county Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit, and a child-support worksheet.
Address parenting time. Adopt Local Rule 76 Option C (presumed) or propose an alternative (Option A, B, or D, or your own schedule).
Get the plan approved. The court reviews the plan on the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04) and, if approved, incorporates it into the order.

Hocking County Practice Notes

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)).
Sole custody vs. shared parenting. In sole custody one parent is residential parent and legal custodian; in shared parenting both parents are designated legal custodian and residential parent under an approved plan (Form 20). Ohio doesn't use "joint" or "primary" custody.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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."
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.
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.
Is the Juvenile companionship schedule the same as the divorce schedule?: No. For unmarried parents (parentage cases), the Juvenile standard companionship schedule is alternating weekends Friday 7:00 p.m.–Sunday 7:00 p.m. with its own holiday rotation (Juvenile Local Rule 10). The court can set an initial-relationship schedule if the parent and child do not yet have a relationship.
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 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.

Related guides

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

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.
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.
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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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