Modifying Orders in Jefferson County

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

Jefferson County, Ohio · Steubenville

Life changes after a decree — incomes shift, parents move, and children's needs evolve. In Jefferson County you change an existing order by filing a motion in the court that issued it: the Domestic Division for orders from a divorce, or the Juvenile Court for orders in a never-married case. Custody changes require a change in circumstances; support changes use the Ohio worksheet.

How do I change a custody or support order in Jefferson County, Ohio?

File a motion in the court that issued the order. To change custody (the residential parent / legal custodian), you must show a change in circumstances under R.C. 3109.04(E) and that the change serves the child's best interest. Parenting time is changed on a best-interest basis (R.C. 3109.051). To change child support, file a Motion for Change of Child Support under R.C. 3119.79 with a fresh Ohio worksheet, and give the Jefferson County CSEA a copy. The Domestic Division motion deposit is $50; a Juvenile motion is $50 (ongoing) or $75 (to reopen a closed 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: Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — Domestic Division

301 Market Street, Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: (740) 283-8583
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Website: jeffersoncountyoh.com/court/common-pleas

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 Modifications is the right path if…

You already have a custody, parenting-time, or child-support order and your circumstances have changed.
For custody, you can show a change in circumstances since the last order (R.C. 3109.04(E)).
For support, you can show the worksheet result differs enough to justify a change (R.C. 3119.79).
You will file in the same court that issued the order — Domestic Division or Juvenile Court.

Filing Fees

Domestic Division motion deposit $50 · Juvenile motion $50 (ongoing) / $75 (reopen) · GAL fees in contested cases allocated between the parents. Confirm current amounts with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts at (740) 283-8583 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Change custody or parenting time — DR motion $50 · Juvenile motion $50 (ongoing) / $75 (reopen)

File a motion to reallocate parental rights or modify parenting time in the issuing court. Custody changes require the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances showing; parenting time uses the best-interest standard.

Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127.23). Required in any case with minor children.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.

Change child support — DR motion $50 · Juvenile motion $50 (ongoing) / $75 (reopen)

File a Motion for Change of Child Support under R.C. 3119.79 with a fresh Ohio worksheet and financial disclosure, and send the Jefferson County CSEA a copy.

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.
Financial Disclosure Affidavit (Jefferson County Domestic Division) — The Domestic Division's income, expense, asset, and debt disclosure. Local rule requires it on file at least 14 days before a contested hearing.

Relocating with a child

A residential parent who intends to move files a notice of intent to relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)); the court notifies the other parent, who may request a hearing on whether the move and any parenting-time change serve the child's best interest.

Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127.23). Required in any case with minor children.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Jefferson County

File in the issuing court. File your motion in the Domestic Division (divorce orders) or the Juvenile Court (never-married orders) — the court that issued the order keeps jurisdiction.
Meet the right standard. For custody, show a change in circumstances (R.C. 3109.04(E)); for parenting time, show the change serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.051).
Run a fresh worksheet for support. For a support change, attach a current Ohio worksheet and financial disclosure (R.C. 3119.79) and send the CSEA a copy.
Attend the hearing. Serve the other parent, attend the hearing, and present evidence; the court applies the best-interest factors before ruling.

Jefferson County Practice Notes

Custody changes need a change in circumstances. Reallocating the residential parent / legal custodian requires the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances standard plus a best-interest finding. Parenting-time adjustments use the lower best-interest standard under R.C. 3109.051.
Support changes run a fresh worksheet. A child-support modification under R.C. 3119.79 requires a new Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet and current financial information. Notify the Jefferson County CSEA whenever you file a support motion.
Relocation has its own notice procedure. Before moving, the residential parent files a notice of intent to relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)); the court can set a hearing to decide whether the move and any schedule change are in the child's best interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What standard applies to changing custody in Jefferson County?: Reallocating the residential parent / legal custodian requires the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-in-circumstances standard plus a best-interest finding. Parenting time is changed on the lower best-interest basis (R.C. 3109.051). File the motion in the court that issued the order.
How do I change a child-support order in Jefferson County?: File a Motion for Change of Child Support under R.C. 3119.79 with a fresh Ohio worksheet and current financial disclosure in the court that issued the order, and give the Jefferson County CSEA a copy. The Domestic Division motion deposit is $50; a Juvenile motion is $50 (ongoing) or $75 (reopen).
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.
What do I file to relocate with my child in Jefferson County?: A residential parent who intends to move files a notice of intent to relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)); the court notifies the other parent, who may request a hearing on whether the move and any parenting-time change serve the child's best interest.

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.

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.

Keep exploring

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