Enforcing Orders & Contempt in Holmes County, Ohio

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

Holmes County, Ohio · Millersburg

When the other party ignores a support, parenting-time, or property order, contempt is how you ask the court to enforce it. In the Domestic Relations Division you file a Motion for Contempt with a Show Cause Order; never-married parents use the Juvenile Court's contempt packet.

How do I file for contempt in Holmes County, Ohio?

In a Domestic Relations case, file the Motion for Contempt, Affidavit, and Instructions together with a draft Show Cause Order and Notice. The court will not hear the motion until it finds probable cause from your affidavit, so set out the specific violations in detail (Local Rule 25(C)(6)). Once probable cause is found, the court issues a show-cause summons telling the other party to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt. Never-married parents file the Juvenile Court's Motion for Contempt packet instead. Confirm current deposits with the court before filing.

Where to File: Holmes County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Divisions

1 E. Jackson Street
Phone: (330) 674-5086
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Website: www.holmescourtofcommonpleas.org

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Holmes County Combined Probate & Juvenile Court
1 East Jackson Street, Suite 201
Phone: (330) 674-5841
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

You have a valid court order the other party is not following.
The violation is specific — missed support, denied parenting time, or unpaid obligations.
You can describe the violations in a sworn affidavit.
You want the court to compel compliance and possibly impose penalties.

Filing Fees

DR contempt motion $25 + $150 · Juvenile contempt packet (confirm deposit)

Forms & Filing Packets

Contempt in a Domestic Relations case — $25 special-project fee + $150 deposit (post-decree motion)

File the contempt motion with a draft show-cause order; the court must find probable cause before setting a hearing.

Motion for Contempt, Affidavit, and Instructions — Asks the court to enforce an existing order (support, parenting time, property) against a party who is not complying. The court will not hear it until it finds probable cause from the affidavit.
Show Cause Order and Notice — The draft order and summons advising the other party to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt. Submitted with the contempt motion (Local Rule 25(C)(6)).

Contempt in a Juvenile Court case — Confirm the current deposit with the Juvenile Court

Never-married parents use the Juvenile Court's contempt packet to enforce a custody, parenting-time, or support order.

Motion for Contempt PACKET (Juvenile) — The Juvenile Court packet to enforce an existing custody, parenting-time, or support order against a non-compliant party.

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Holmes County

Document the violations. Gather proof of each missed payment or denied exchange and describe them in the contempt affidavit.
Prepare the packet. Complete the Motion for Contempt with the draft Show Cause Order and Notice (Domestic Relations), or the Juvenile contempt packet.
File with the court. File with the court that issued your order and pay the deposit; the court reviews your affidavit for probable cause.
Attend the hearing. If probable cause is found, the other party is summoned to a show-cause hearing where the court decides on enforcement and any purge conditions.

Holmes County Practice Notes

Probable cause must be shown first. The Domestic Relations court will not set a contempt hearing until it finds probable cause from your affidavit. The movant submits a draft show-cause entry and a summons advising the other party of their rights (Local Rule 25(C)(6)). Be specific about every violation.
Purge conditions are common. Even when contempt is found, courts usually give the other party a chance to 'purge' the contempt by complying — for example, paying arrears on a schedule — before any jail or fine takes effect.
Juvenile contempt is separate. Contempt of a Juvenile Court order (never-married parents) is handled with the Juvenile Court's own contempt packet, not the Domestic Relations forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enforce a court order in Holmes County if the other party won't comply?: In a Domestic Relations case, file the Motion for Contempt, Affidavit, and Instructions with a draft Show Cause Order and Notice. The court will not hear the motion until it finds probable cause from your affidavit (Local Rule 25(C)(6)); then a show-cause summons issues. Never-married parents use the Juvenile Court's contempt packet. Courts usually allow the other party to 'purge' the contempt by complying.
How much does a post-decree motion cost in Holmes County?: A post-decree motion in the Domestic Relations Division has a deposit of $25 (special-project fee) plus $150; service by publication adds $250. In the Juvenile Court, the deposit is $63 for custody/visitation matters and $48 for child support. Confirm current amounts with the appropriate court.
Which court handles family-law cases in Holmes County, Ohio?: Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and married-parent custody/support are heard by the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas (Judge Sean Warner; Magistrate Tiffany D. Bird) and filed with the Clerk of Courts at 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg. Custody, parenting time, support, and parentage for unmarried parents go to the Juvenile Court, and adoption goes to the Probate Court — both run by Judge Thomas C. Lee from 1 East Jackson St., Suite 201, Millersburg.
Who collects and enforces child support in Holmes County?: The Holmes County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), housed at Job & Family Services, 85 N. Grant St., Millersburg, (330) 674-1111, opens IV-D cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. It can also review and adjust support administratively.

Free Local Resources in Holmes County

Holmes County Clerk of Courts. Files all General & Domestic Relations cases and processes filings; Clerk Ronda P. Steimel, 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg, (330) 674-1876. Filing is paper-only (in person or by mail). Pay Common Pleas costs online at payments.lexisnexis.com/oh/co/holmes/clerkofcourts; view the docket at courts.co.holmes.oh.us/eservices.
Holmes County Domestic Relations Division. Judge Sean Warner; Magistrate Tiffany D. Bird. Publishes the county's Uniform DR forms at holmescourtofcommonpleas.org/domestic-relations and /domestic-relations-templates. Court phone (330) 674-5086.
Holmes County Combined Probate & Juvenile Court. Judge Thomas C. Lee. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, non-parent custody, and adoption, at 1 East Jackson St., Suite 201, Millersburg. Juvenile (330) 674-5841; Probate (330) 674-5881. Fillable packets at co.holmes.oh.us/document-library/juvenile-court.
Holmes County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Housed at Holmes County Job & Family Services, 85 N. Grant St., Millersburg, (330) 674-1111. Opens IV-D support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Website holmescountydjfs.com.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. The official 2024 Income Shares calculator at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. Run it, print the worksheet, and sign it — the court requires it any time support is set or changed.

Related to your contempt case

Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Related guides

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

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.
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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina metro.
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