Modifying an Order in Jackson County

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

Jackson County, Ohio

Life changes after a decree — incomes shift, children's needs change, and parents move. In Jackson County, modifications stay in the court that entered the order: a divorce/dissolution order is modified in the General Division, and a Juvenile custody/support order is modified in the Probate & Juvenile Division. Each kind of change has its own legal standard, so they should not be lumped together (Local Rule 31.1).

How do I modify a custody or support order in Jackson County, Ohio?

File a post-decree motion in the court that entered the order. A change of custody requires the change-in-circumstances test of R.C. 3109.04(E); a change of parenting time is judged on the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.051); changing the residential parent only for school placement is an administrative change handled separately; and a child-support change uses R.C. 3119.79 (generally a 10% change or other qualifying basis). State the date of the prior order, the specific provision, the requested change, and the facts (Local Rule 31.1). The DR post-decree-motion deposit is $200; an agreed modification is by a notarized joint motion (Local Rule 31.3). For a Juvenile order, use the court's Modify Custody packet and call (740) 286-6405 about the fee.

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: Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Domestic Relations)

226 East Main Street, Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2006
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.jacksoncountyohio.us/elected-officials/common-pleas-court/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, Probate & Juvenile Division
350 Portsmouth Street #101, Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6405
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

You have an existing Jackson County custody, parenting-time, child-support, or spousal-support order you need changed.
You can identify the legal basis — a change of circumstances for custody, best interest for parenting time, or a qualifying change for support.
You know whether the order was entered in the General Division (divorce/dissolution) or the Probate & Juvenile Division.
You can state the date of the prior order, the provision, the requested change, and the supporting facts.

Filing Fees

A General Division post-decree motion (custody, parenting time, support, or spousal support) carries a $200 deposit · a Juvenile modification is filed in the Probate & Juvenile Division (fee not published — call (740) 286-6405) · an agreed modification is by a notarized joint motion (Local Rule 31.3). Filing fees and local procedures change — always confirm the current amount and requirements with the Jackson County Clerk of Courts at (740) 286-2006 (General Division) or the Probate & Juvenile Division at (740) 286-6405 before you file.

Forms & Filing Packets

Modify a divorce or dissolution order (General Division) — $200 post-decree-motion deposit

File a post-decree motion in the General Division case that entered the decree. Use Form 27 for a custody change or Form 28 for a support change, stating the prior order's date, provision, requested change, and facts.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities — Custody (Ohio SC Form 27 / JF 6) — The Ohio uniform motion to reallocate parental rights (change the residential parent / legal custodian) after a prior order.
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 the court sets or changes support.
Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach a current Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) and Affidavit 2 (Property).

Modify a Juvenile custody or support order — Juvenile deposit not published — call (740) 286-6405 and ask about the Fee Waiver

Use the Probate & Juvenile Division's Modify Custody packet (which can terminate shared parenting) or Form 28 for a support change.

Jackson County Juvenile Modify Custody Packet — The Juvenile Division packet to ask the court to change an existing Juvenile custody or parenting order — including terminating shared parenting.
Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities — Custody (Ohio SC Form 27 / JF 6) — The Ohio uniform motion to reallocate parental rights (change the residential parent / legal custodian) after a prior order.
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.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Jackson County

Identify the standard. Decide whether you are changing custody (change-in-circumstances, R.C. 3109.04(E)), parenting time (best interest), school placement (administrative), or support (R.C. 3119.79).
File in the right court. File in the court that entered the order — the General Division for a divorce/dissolution decree or the Probate & Juvenile Division for a Juvenile order.
State the basis precisely. Identify the prior order's date and provision, the requested change, and the supporting facts (Local Rule 31.1); an agreed change uses a notarized joint motion.
Set the hearing. After filing, contact the Assignment Commissioner of the Domestic Relations Division for a hearing date (Local Rule 31.4); the Magistrate hears the motion.

Jackson County Practice Notes

Each change has its own standard. Don't lump changes together (Local Rule 31.1). A change of custody requires change-in-circumstances under R.C. 3109.04(E); a parenting-time change is on best interest (R.C. 3109.051); a school-placement change of the residential parent is administrative and separate; support uses R.C. 3119.79. A CSEA-determination objection must attach the determination and a proposed worksheet (Local Rule 31.2).
Relocation has local guardrails. A residential parent who intends to move must file a notice of intent to relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)). A decree must bar removing the children from Ohio to establish residency without a court order or signed agreement (Local Rule 22.3), and a parent who moves more than 30 miles away bears the added parenting-time transportation (Local Rule 22.2 / Appendix E).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a custody order in Jackson County?: Changing custody (reallocating parental rights) requires the change-in-circumstances test of R.C. 3109.04(E): facts arising since or unknown at the prior order, a change in circumstances, and the child's best interest. A change of parenting time is judged on best interest alone (R.C. 3109.051), a lower bar. File in the court that entered the order.
How do I change a child-support order in Jackson County?: File a Motion for Change of Child Support (Form 28) under R.C. 3119.79 in the court that issued the order — generally a roughly 10% change or another qualifying basis is required. The DR post-decree-motion deposit is $200. A motion objecting to a CSEA administrative determination must attach that determination and a proposed worksheet (Local Rule 31.2).
Can I change my child's school without changing custody in Jackson County?: Yes. Modifying the residential parent only for school-placement purposes is an administrative change — it is not a change of custody and uses a different analysis (Local Rule 31.1). Keep it separate from a custody motion. The court also generally will not approve switching a child's school district right before or after a divorce filing (Local Rules 19.2, 20.6).
Do I have to tell the court before I move with my child in Jackson County?: Yes. A residential parent who intends to move must file a notice of intent to relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)). A decree must bar removing the children from Ohio to establish residency without a court order or signed agreement (Local Rule 22.3), and a parent who moves more than 30 miles away bears the added parenting-time transportation (Local Rule 22.2 / Appendix E).
Do I file in the General Division or the Juvenile Division in Jackson County?: If you were married to the other parent, custody and support are handled in the General Division inside the divorce, dissolution, or legal separation. If you were never married, custody, parenting time, support, and paternity are handled in the Probate & Juvenile Division (350 Portsmouth Street), (740) 286-6405.

Free Local Resources in Jackson County

Jackson County Clerk of Courts (Seth I. Michael). 226 East Main Street #9, 3rd Floor, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-2006. Files all General Division domestic-relations cases and hosts the DR forms page (jcclerk.com/page3.html) with the divorce, dissolution, and fee-waiver packets. Online records and e-filing registration are at jcclerk.com/page2.html (self-represented filers may use e-filing but are not required to — Local Rule 3.1). Accepts cash, check, credit card, or money order.
Jackson County Probate & Juvenile Division. 350 Portsmouth Street #101, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-6405 (jcjuvenilecourt.com). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and companionship; the local forms page is jcjuvenilecourt.com/forms/ and the Visitation Guidelines set the default parenting-time schedule.
Jackson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Jackson County Job & Family Services, 25 E. South Street, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-4181, Option 3 (jacksoncountyjfs.org). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding, and can establish paternity administratively through a Genetic Test/Administrative Order.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself before filing so you know the likely support amount.

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.

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Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
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