Logan County Emergency Custody Attorneys

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

Logan County, Ohio · Bellefontaine

While a divorce or allocation case is pending, the Family Court can issue temporary orders under Civ.R. 75(N) for parenting time, temporary custody, support, and use of the home. In urgent safety situations Logan County's DR Loc. R. 5 allows same-day ex parte relief, followed by a prompt hearing.

Hire Gavvl for your Logan County emergency orders case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Logan County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

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How do I get an emergency or temporary custody order in Logan County, Ohio?

File a Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ.R. 75(N) / DR 5.01) with a supporting affidavit in your pending case. On a motion supported by affidavit, the court may grant same-day ex parte relief — including a mutual temporary restraining order, and, for good cause, temporary orders for parental rights, support, and exclusive use of the home or vehicle. If the parents no longer share a household, the plaintiff may submit an entry granting temporary residential-parent status to the parent who had actual physical custody just before filing (DR 3.01). The court schedules a temporary-orders hearing within 14 days of filing (DR 5.02). If the emergency involves violence, a DVCPO may be the better tool. Confirm with the DR Department at (937) 292-4043.

Gavvl Law for emergency and temporary orders in Logan County

While a Logan County divorce or allocation case is pending, the Family Court can issue temporary orders under Civ.R. 75(N) and DR Loc. R. 5.01 for parenting time, temporary custody, support, and use of the home — and in an urgent safety situation DR Loc. R. 5 allows same-day ex parte relief for good cause. Because the court then sets a temporary-orders hearing within 14 days, the affidavit behind your motion matters. Gavvl Law prepares that motion and affidavit, seeks temporary residential-parent status where it applies, and points you to a DVCPO when violence is the real issue.

An affidavit built for same-day relief. The court grants ex parte temporary orders on a motion supported by affidavit for good cause under DR Loc. R. 5, so we prepare the parenting and income affidavits with the specific facts a judge needs to act the same day.
Temporary residential-parent status when it fits. Under DR Loc. R. 3.01, if the parents no longer share a household the plaintiff may seek an entry naming the parent who had actual physical custody just before filing as temporary residential parent, and we pursue that interim status quickly.
The right tool for a safety emergency. If the emergency involves violence or threats, a DVCPO petition under R.C. 3113.31 or a Juvenile emergency filing may protect you faster than a temporary-orders motion, and we tell you which path fits instead of filing the wrong one.

We move quickly in the Family Court at 101 S. Main Street in Bellefontaine, coordinating with the Domestic Relations Department at (937) 292-4043 so the ex parte request and the 14-day temporary-orders hearing under DR 5.02 stay on schedule.

Flat-fee options

Flat fee: we prepare and file the ex parte emergency custody motion and the underlying custody motion, and represent you at both the ex parte and full emergency hearings.

Ex parte emergency custody (motion + hearings): $3,500

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your emergency orders case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Logan County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division

101 S. Main Street, Bellefontaine, OH 43311
Phone: (937) 292-4043
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Logan County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division — Juvenile
101 S. Main Street, Bellefontaine, OH 43311
Phone: (937) 599-7245
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Emergency & Temporary Orders is the right path if…

You have a pending Logan County case (or are filing one) and need interim orders now.
You need temporary parenting time, custody, support, or exclusive use of the home before the final decree.
There is a genuine urgency — or a child-safety concern — supporting ex parte relief.
You can support the request with a sworn affidavit.

Filing Fees

Temporary orders are generally filed within the pending case (no separate original-complaint deposit) — confirm any motion fee with the court. A DVCPO petition has no filing fee. Court fees and deposits change — confirm the current amount with the Logan County Clerk of Courts before filing: Domestic Relations Department (937) 292-4043 or the Family Court main line (937) 599-7249 (Juvenile Department (937) 599-7245 for never-married-parent cases).

Forms & Filing Packets

Temporary orders in a pending case — Generally filed within the pending case; confirm any motion fee with the court

File a Motion for Temporary Orders with an affidavit (parenting, income/expenses). The court can grant same-day ex parte relief for good cause and sets a temporary-orders hearing within 14 days (DR 5.02). If the case involves children, also file the Logan County Application for Child Support Services (DR Loc. R. 1.03) so temporary support can be set and collected through the CSEA.

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).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Application for Child Support Services (Logan County, 3-6-18) — Required (Title IV-D) under DR Loc. R. 1.03 in any Logan County case involving children. It opens the CSEA support case so support can be collected by income withholding and enforced. Tip: File this whenever children are involved, even if you and the other parent currently agree on an amount.

Urgent safety situation — No filing fee for a DVCPO petition (R.C. 3113.31)

If the emergency involves violence or threats, a DVCPO petition (R.C. 3113.31) may be the better tool, and a child outside an open DR case may need a Juvenile emergency-custody filing. Call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Petition for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (Ohio SC / DV Task Force forms) — The Ohio Supreme Court DV Task Force standardized DVCPO petition, ex parte order, and full-order forms used in the Family Court (R.C. 3113.31). Bring five copies to the Clerk; there is no filing fee for the petitioner (DR 7.01).
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).

How to File Emergency & Temporary Orders in Logan County

Assess the urgency. Decide whether you need interim orders in a pending case or emergency safety relief (a DVCPO, or for a child outside an open case, a Juvenile filing).
Prepare the motion and affidavit. Complete a Motion for Temporary Orders with a supporting affidavit (parenting and income/expenses).
File and request ex parte relief if needed. File in the pending case; the court can grant same-day ex parte relief for good cause.
Attend the 14-day hearing. The court holds a temporary-orders hearing within 14 days of filing (DR 5.02).

Logan County Practice Notes

Same-day ex parte relief, hearing within 14 days. Under DR Loc. R. 5, a person filing a divorce/legal-separation/annulment or a post-decree motion can get an ex parte hearing the same day, and the court may enter temporary orders for parental rights, support, and exclusive use of the home or vehicle for good cause. A temporary-orders hearing is then set within 14 days of filing (DR 5.02).
Temporary residential-parent status. Under DR Loc. R. 3.01, if the parents no longer share a household when the case is filed, the plaintiff may submit an entry granting temporary residential-parent and legal-custodian status to the parent who had actual physical custody just before filing (or, if shared, to the primary caretaker). These orders are interim and do not predetermine the final decree.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an emergency custody order in Logan County?: In a pending Domestic Relations case, file a Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ.R. 75(N) / DR 5.01) with an affidavit; the court can grant same-day ex parte relief for good cause and sets a temporary-orders hearing within 14 days (DR 5.02). If the parents already live apart, the plaintiff may seek temporary residential-parent status (DR 3.01). For a child outside an open case, or where there is violence, a Juvenile emergency filing or a DVCPO may be the better tool. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
How do temporary orders work in Logan County?: You file a Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ.R. 75(N) / DR 5.01) with a supporting affidavit in your pending case. The court can enter temporary orders for parenting time, custody, child and spousal support, and use of the home, and it schedules a temporary-orders hearing within 14 days of filing (DR 5.02). If continued, the court may still issue an ex parte support order on the available information.
Can I get a same-day emergency order in Logan County?: Sometimes. Under DR Loc. R. 5, a person filing a divorce, legal separation, or annulment — or a post-decree motion — can get an ex parte hearing the same day the petition is filed, and for good cause the court can enter temporary orders for parental rights, support, and exclusive use of the home or vehicle. For a DVCPO, the ex parte hearing is the same day if the petition is filed early enough, otherwise the next business day. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
How do I get a civil protection order in Logan County?: File a petition using the Ohio DV Task Force standard forms and bring five copies to the Clerk (DR 7.01); there is no filing fee (R.C. 3113.31). If filed early enough in the day, the ex parte hearing is the same day, otherwise the next business day, and the court can issue a temporary order if there is immediate danger. A full hearing is assigned at the ex parte hearing. The order is entered in NCIC, can last up to 5 years, and can be renewed. A dating-violence protection order is also available. If you are in danger now, call 911.

Free Local Resources in Logan County

Logan County Court of Common Pleas — Family Court Division. The single combined Family Court for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree matters, and protection orders (Domestic Relations), plus never-married-parent custody/support, non-parent custody, and CPS (Juvenile), and adoption (Probate), at 101 S. Main Street, Bellefontaine. Family Court main line (937) 599-7249; Domestic Relations (937) 292-4043; Juvenile (937) 599-7245; Probate (937) 599-7252. DR/civil documents can be e-filed by email before 4:15 p.m. Court information and rules are at https://www.logancountyohio.gov/common-pleas-court---family-court.html.
Logan County Domestic Relations Forms. Logan County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized DR/Juvenile forms, plus a few local forms (the Visitation Guidelines, the Application for Child Support Services, and the Affidavit of Indigency). The DR forms page is at https://www.logancountyohio.gov/domestic-relations-forms.html.
Logan County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Any case involving children requires the Application for Child Support Services (Title IV-D). The CSEA sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, and can review existing orders. Confirm contact details with the Family Court at (937) 599-7249.
CASA of Logan County. Provides trained volunteer Guardian ad Litem advocates for children in contested cases. Learn more at https://www.casaoflogancounty.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 emergency orders case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Grandparents' Rights — Seek visitation or custody when it serves the child's best interest.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on emergency orders and related Ohio family law topics.

Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.
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.
Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.

Continue your Logan County research

Ohio Emergency Custody guide — Statewide overview of emergency custody in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Logan County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Logan County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
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