Shared Parenting in Holmes County, Ohio

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

Holmes County, Ohio · Millersburg

Shared parenting lets both parents be designated residential parents under an agreed Parenting Plan. Holmes County is notable for a Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25) that presumes equal (50/50) parenting time beginning at age 3 — a markedly different default than most Ohio counties.

How does shared parenting work in Holmes County, Ohio?

Shared parenting means both parents share parental rights under a written Parenting Plan that the court approves as being in the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04). Holmes County's Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25) presumes equal (50/50) parenting time beginning at age 3 unless clearly defined special circumstances prevent it, with graduated schedules for younger children and a separate Long-Distance order. File the county's Parenting Plan with your divorce, dissolution, or post-decree motion. The court decides parenting using the best-interest factors and can appoint a guardian ad litem in a contested case.

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: 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

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to remain residential parents and share decision-making.
You can cooperate on a written Parenting Plan and a schedule.
You want a plan built around Holmes County's equal-time Standard Parenting Order.
Your case is part of a divorce, dissolution, or a post-decree reallocation.

Filing Fees

Included in divorce/dissolution · post-decree change $25 + $150

Forms & Filing Packets

Shared Parenting Plan in a divorce or dissolution — Included in your divorce or dissolution deposit

File the county's Parenting Plan with your divorce or dissolution packet.

Parenting Plan (dissolution with children) — Sets out custody, the parenting-time schedule, and decision-making for the children. Required when the dissolution involves minor children.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (dissolution with children) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years (UCCJEA), confirming Ohio's jurisdiction.

Move to a shared parenting plan after a decree — $25 special-project fee + $150 deposit (post-decree motion)

Use the reallocation packet to ask the court to adopt a shared parenting plan.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Custody) — Asks the Domestic Relations Division to change the residential parent / legal custodian after a final decree. Requires a change in circumstances plus best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)).
Parenting Plan / Shared Parenting (if an agreement is reached) — Used when the parents reach an agreed parenting plan as part of the reallocation.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (reallocation) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years (UCCJEA). Required with any custody motion.
Request for Service (reallocation) — Tells the Clerk how to serve the other parent with the motion.
New Case Designation Form (reallocation) — Required cover sheet that must accompany the post-decree filing.

How to File Shared Parenting in Holmes County

Draft a Parenting Plan. Work out a written plan covering the residential schedule, holidays, decision-making, and transportation, using Holmes County's Parenting Plan form.
Anchor it to the local schedule. Build the schedule around the county's Standard Parenting Order (equal time from age 3) or explain the special circumstances that justify a different arrangement.
File with your case. File the Parenting Plan with your divorce or dissolution, or use the reallocation packet to change an existing order ($25 + $150).
Present it to the court. Ask the court to approve the plan as being in the child's best interest; expect a guardian ad litem if the matter is contested.

Holmes County Practice Notes

Equal time from age 3 is the local default. Unlike most Ohio counties, Holmes County's Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25) presumes equal (50/50) parenting time beginning at age 3, with graduated schedules for infants and young children and a teen rule of at least 10 waking hours per week with each parent. A separate Long-Distance order applies when parents live far apart.
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.
Parenting coordinator can help implement the plan. Under Local Rule 26 (Sup.R. 90) the court may appoint a parenting coordinator to help parents carry out a parenting or companionship order through assessment, education, case management, and coaching. A coordinator cannot change the residential parent or a child's primary placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does parenting time work in Holmes County?: Holmes County uses an age-tiered Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25) that presumes equal (50/50) parenting time beginning at age 3 unless there are clearly defined special circumstances, with graduated schedules for younger children, a teen rule (at least 10 waking hours per week with each parent), and a separate Long-Distance order. This is different from the alternating-every-other-weekend 'standard order' common elsewhere in Ohio.
Can both parents share custody in Holmes County?: Yes. Shared parenting lets both parents be designated residential parents under a written Parenting Plan the court approves as being in the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04). Holmes County's Standard Parenting Order already presumes equal time from age 3, so an equal-time arrangement is the local default unless special circumstances apply.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Holmes County?: The Common Pleas General & Domestic Relations local rules do not establish a countywide mandatory parent-education seminar. In a contested case the court may appoint a parenting coordinator (Local Rule 26) or a guardian ad litem (Sup.R. 48). Confirm with the court whether a class is ordered in your specific case.
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.

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 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.
Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina metro.
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