Enforcing Orders in Jefferson County

Where to File: Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — Domestic Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Jefferson County Juvenile Court
Jefferson County Justice Center, 12001 State Route 7, Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: (740) 283-8557
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• You have a valid court order and the other party has failed to follow it.
• The violation is enforcement (unpaid support, withheld parenting time, unmet property terms) — not a request to change the order.
• You can show the order was clear and the other party was able to comply.
• You will file in the same court that issued the order.

Filing Fees

Domestic Division motion deposit $50 · Juvenile motion $50 (ongoing) / $75 (reopen) · a support contempt requires notice to the Jefferson County CSEA. Confirm current amounts with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts at (740) 283-8583 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Jefferson County

1. Confirm a clear order exists. Contempt requires an unambiguous order and proof the other party could comply but didn't.
2. File in the issuing court. File the contempt motion in the Domestic Division (divorce orders) or the Juvenile Court (never-married orders), with notice of a hearing.
3. Notify the CSEA for support. For a support contempt, give the Jefferson County CSEA a copy so the agency can document the arrears.
4. Attend the hearing. Present evidence of the violation; the court can order a purge, payment plan, make-up parenting time, fees, or jail for willful contempt.

Jefferson County Practice Notes

• Contempt enforces; modification changes. Use contempt to make someone follow an existing order (R.C. 2705.02/2705.031). If you want the order itself changed going forward, file a modification motion instead — the two are different filings.
• Notify the CSEA on support contempts. A motion to enforce a support order must be served on the Jefferson County CSEA, (740) 282-0961, which administers the order and can document the arrears.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I use contempt in Jefferson County?

Use contempt to enforce an existing order — spousal support, property division, and the child support or parenting time set in your divorce, or a Juvenile-Court custody, parenting-time, or support order (R.C. 2705.02/2705.031). Contempt enforces the order; to change it, file a modification instead. The Domestic Division motion deposit is $50 and a Juvenile motion is $50 (ongoing) / $75 (reopen).

Do I have to notify the CSEA for a support contempt in Jefferson County?

Yes. A motion to enforce a support order must be served on the Jefferson County CSEA, (740) 282-0961, which administers the order and can document the arrears. The motion is then heard by the court that issued the support order.

What are the post-decree filing fees in Jefferson County?

In the Domestic Division, a motion deposit is $50. In the Juvenile Court, a motion is $50 in an ongoing case or $75 to reopen a closed case. GAL fees in contested cases are allocated between the parents. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 283-8583.

Free Local Resources in Jefferson County

• Jefferson County Clerk of Courts (Andrew Plesich). 301 Market Street, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 283-8583. Hosts the Domestic Forms page (jeffersoncountyohcoc.com/domestic-forms) with the divorce, dissolution, fee-waiver, and protection-order packets, and confirms current deposits. Accepts cash, money order, or online card/debit — not personal checks. E-filing is under construction.
• Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Jefferson County Job & Family Services, 125 South Fifth Street, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 282-0961 (jcdjfs.com). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding (2% processing fee), and can establish paternity administratively.
• Jefferson County Juvenile Court. Jefferson County Justice Center, 12001 State Route 7, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 283-8557 (jeffersoncountyprobatejuvenile.com/juvenile-court). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and parenting time; publishes the Local Parenting Time Guidelines.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself before filing so you know the likely support amount.

Other Family-Law Topics in Jefferson County

• Jefferson County Divorce — Full filing guide with the Clerk's packet, fees, and deadlines.
• Jefferson County Custody — Where to file when parents are married vs. never married.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator — Run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself.
• Ohio family-law resources — 88-county directory of courts and legal aid.

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.
• Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.