Changing an Order After Your Lawrence County Decree

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

Lawrence County, Ohio · Ironton

Life changes after a decree. In Lawrence County, you change custody, parenting time, or support by filing a post-decree motion in the same case that issued the order — the General Division for a divorce/dissolution, or the Probate & Juvenile Court for a never-married-parent order.

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

File a post-decree motion in the existing case using the matching Ohio form: Form 27 to change the residential parent / legal custodian (a change of custody), Form 26 to change parenting time or companionship, or Form 28 to change child support — each with the required income/expense and parenting affidavits. For child support you can also ask the Lawrence County CSEA at (740) 533-4338 for an administrative review. Changing the residential parent for school-placement purposes is a narrower request than a full change of legal custody and uses a different standard. A residential parent who plans to move must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)(1)). The deposit for a post-decree motion is set on the Clerk's cost schedule (Local Rule 4) — confirm the current amount with the Clerk.

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: Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

3rd Floor Annex Building, 111 South 4th Street, Ironton, OH 45638
Phone: (740) 533-4329
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: www.lawcocp.us

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Lawrence County Probate & Juvenile Court
111 South 4th Street, Ironton, OH 45638
Phone: (740) 533-4372
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

You already have a Lawrence County custody, parenting-time, or support order.
There has been a change of circumstances since the last order (income, schedule, relocation, or the child's needs).
You want to change custody, parenting time, or support — or you need to give notice of a move.
You can pay the post-decree motion deposit, or file a poverty affidavit to substitute for it.

Filing Fees

The deposit for a post-decree motion is set on the Clerk's cost schedule (Local Rule 4) — confirm the current amount with the Clerk (or with the Probate & Juvenile Court for a juvenile case). A CSEA administrative review of support carries no court deposit. Lawrence County does not fix family-law filing fees in its local rules — the deposit is set on the Clerk's cost schedule (Local Rule 4), so confirm the current amount with the Lawrence County Clerk of Courts before filing (case search / e-services at https://eservices.lawrencecountyclerk.com; domestic-relations office (740) 533-4329). A poverty (indigency) affidavit can substitute for the deposit, but costs must be paid in full before a final decree is accepted, and a publication deposit is required in all cases (even with an indigency affidavit) when service is by publication. For never-married-parent and juvenile cases, confirm the current deposit with the Probate & Juvenile Court at (740) 533-4372.

Forms & Filing Packets

Change custody or parenting time — Post-decree motion deposit on the Clerk's cost schedule (Loc. R. 4) — confirm with the Clerk (or the Juvenile Court for a juvenile case)

File a Motion for Change of Parental Rights (Form 27) or a Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Form 26) in the existing case, with a parenting affidavit and request for service. A change of custody requires a change of circumstances and the children's best interest.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 27) — Asks the court to change the residential parent / legal custodian (a change of custody) after a change of circumstances and on the child's best interest.
Motion for Change of Parenting Time / Companionship (Ohio SC Form 26) — Asks the court to change a parenting-time or companionship schedule when a modification is in the children's best interest.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA. Required in any case involving minor children.

Change child support — Post-decree motion deposit on the Clerk's cost schedule (Loc. R. 4) — confirm with the Clerk; a CSEA review has no court deposit

File a Motion for Change of Child Support (Form 28) with an updated income/expense affidavit and a new worksheet, or ask the Lawrence County CSEA for an administrative review under the Ohio guidelines (R.C. Chapter 3119).

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.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
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.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Lawrence County

Identify what to change. Decide whether you are changing custody (Form 27), parenting time (Form 26), or support (Form 28), and gather the supporting affidavits.
File in the existing case. File the motion in the same court that issued the order — the General Division for a divorce, or the Juvenile Court for a never-married-parent order.
Consider a CSEA review for support. For support, you can ask the Lawrence County CSEA at (740) 533-4338 for an administrative review instead of (or before) a motion.
Give relocation notice if moving. If you plan to move with the children, file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)(1)) and confirm the court's required form.

Lawrence County Practice Notes

File in the court that issued the order. Divorce/dissolution orders are modified in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas; orders for never-married parents are modified in the Probate & Juvenile Court (Juvenile Division, (740) 533-4372). Use the matching court so the post-decree motion lands in the right case.
School placement vs. a full change of custody. Changing the residential parent for school-placement purposes is a narrower request than a change of legal custody and uses a different standard. A residential parent who intends to move must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)(1)); the court may set a hearing to adjust the schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change child support in Lawrence County?: File a Motion for Change of Child Support (Form 28) in the case that issued the order, with an updated income/expense affidavit and a new Ohio worksheet, or ask the Lawrence County CSEA at (740) 533-4338 for an administrative review under the Ohio guidelines (R.C. Chapter 3119). A change generally requires a substantial change of circumstances; confirm current thresholds with the court or the CSEA. The deposit for a post-decree motion is on the Clerk's cost schedule (Local Rule 4).
Do I need to tell the court if I'm moving with my child in Lawrence County?: Yes. A residential parent who intends to move must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate under R.C. 3109.051(G)(1). The court may set a hearing to decide whether to adjust the parenting-time schedule. Filing the notice is required even when you believe the move will not affect parenting time; confirm the court's required form with the Domestic Track or Juvenile Court office.
Can I change my child's school placement without changing legal custody in Lawrence County?: Yes — changing the residential parent for school-placement purposes is a narrower request than a full change of legal custody and uses a different standard. It is decided in the case that issued the custody order (the General Division for a divorce, or the Juvenile Court for a never-married-parent order). Confirm the current procedure with the court before filing.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Lawrence County?: Lawrence County does not fix family-law filing fees in its local rules. Common Pleas deposits for a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or post-decree motion are set on the Clerk's cost schedule (Local Rule 4), so confirm the current amount with the Clerk of Courts before filing (case search / e-services at https://eservices.lawrencecountyclerk.com; domestic-relations office (740) 533-4329). A poverty (indigency) affidavit can substitute for the deposit, but costs must be paid in full before a final decree is accepted, and a publication deposit is required in all cases (even with an indigency affidavit) when service is by publication. Juvenile deposits are confirmed with the Probate & Juvenile Court at (740) 533-4372, and a DVCPO petition has no filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31).
Will a magistrate hear my case in Lawrence County, and what is the 14-day rule?: Magistrate D.L. McWhorter may hear domestic matters in the General Division and issues a Magistrate's Report. A judgment entry based on that report is not delivered to the judge until 14 days after the report is filed, and it is effective only when the judge signs it (Local Rules 35, 40). That 14-day window is the time to file objections to the magistrate's decision.

Free Local Resources in Lawrence County

Lawrence County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk handles filing, fees, and the docket for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, DVCPOs, and domestic-relations post-decree matters in the General Division. File at 111 South 4th Street, Ironton; case search and e-services at https://eservices.lawrencecountyclerk.com. Confirm the current deposit on the Clerk's cost schedule and packet requirements before filing (domestic-relations office (740) 533-4329).
Lawrence County Probate & Juvenile Court. The Probate & Juvenile Court (Hon. Patricia Sanders) handles never-married parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support, plus non-parent custody and adoption. Confirm juvenile filing deposits and procedures at (740) 533-4372 or https://lawrenceohiopjc.org/juvenile.php.
Lawrence County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The CSEA, part of the Department of Job & Family Services at 1100 South 7th Street, Ironton ((740) 533-4338), establishes paternity, sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, and can review existing orders. Support payments run through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central. More at https://www.lawrencecountydjfs.com/child-support.htm.
Common Pleas Rules of Practice (Local Rules). The Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas Rules of Practice set the cost schedule (Rule 4), Domestic Track (Rule 21), magistrate/objection rules (Rules 35, 40), mediation (Rule 37), custody investigations (Rule 52), and the Standard Visitation Guidelines (Rule 53). Read them through the Law Library at https://lawrencelawlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Rules-of-Practice-Common-Pleas-2013-to-Print-web.pdf.
Lawrence County Law Library. The Law Library offers online resources and the local rules for self-represented parties and attorneys at https://lawrencelawlibrary.org.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.