Can I recover attorney fees in a Logan County contempt case?

Possibly. Under DR Loc. R. 5.06(B), the parties must make every effort to settle before the contempt hearing, and the court will not award attorney fees to a party who has not tried to settle. The court may award attorney fees to the prevailing party up to $400 without professional testimony. Contempt over health insurance or a child's medical expenses uses the Health Insurance Coverage Contempt Sheet (Form DR-12).

How do I change or enforce a Logan County order?

Post-decree motions stay in the same case that issued your decree. To change the parenting-time schedule, the court uses the best-interest standard; to change custody, you must show a change in circumstances plus best interest under R.C. 3109.04(E), and the motion must state the specific change (DR 3.04). To change support, show a change in circumstances or use the CSEA review. A Domestic Relations motion or pleading to re-open the case is $150. A residential parent planning to move files a notice of intent to relocate.

How much does it cost to file a family law case in Logan County?

The original-complaint deposit for a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment is $400. A Domestic Relations motion or pleading to re-open a case (custody, visitation, or contempt) is $150 under the DR Cost Deposits Schedule A. A DVCPO petition has no filing fee. Juvenile filing deposits are not on a posted schedule — confirm them with the Juvenile Department. Service by publication is paid directly to the Daily Court Reporter, even in an approved indigent case. An Affidavit of Indigency can waive the deposit. Confirm current amounts with the DR Department at (937) 292-4043.

How does the Logan County CSEA help with child support?

Any Logan County case involving children requires the Application for Child Support Services (a Title IV-D application, DR Loc. R. 1.03), which opens the CSEA case. The CSEA sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects it by income withholding, and can administratively review and adjust an existing order; a contested result can go to the court.

Logan County Contempt & Enforcement Attorneys

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

Logan County, Ohio · Bellefontaine

When the other party ignores a court order — missed parenting time, unpaid support, or unpaid medical costs — you can ask the Family Court to hold them in contempt. In Logan County a contempt motion runs under the original case number, and DR Loc. R. 5.06(B) sets specific rules about the summons and settlement.

Hire Gavvl for your Logan County contempt 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 (flat fees from $950).

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

How do I file for contempt in Logan County, Ohio?

File a motion to show cause under your original case number, describing the order and how it was violated. Under DR Loc. R. 5.06(B), the attorney must tell the Clerk at filing whether a Summons on Contempt accompanies the pleading (if the Clerk is not notified, no summons issues), consistent with R.C. 2705.031(C). The parties must make every effort to settle before the hearing — the court will not award attorney fees to a party who has not tried to settle — and the court may award attorney fees to the prevailing party up to $400 without professional testimony. Contempt over health insurance or a child's medical expenses uses the Health Insurance Coverage Contempt Sheet (Form DR-12). A DR motion to re-open the case has a $150 deposit. Confirm with the DR Department at (937) 292-4043.

Enforce your Logan County order with Gavvl Law

When the other party ignores a Logan County order — missed parenting time, unpaid support, or unpaid medical costs — a motion to show cause asks the Family Court to hold them in contempt, filed under your original case number. DR Loc. R. 5.06(B) adds local traps: the attorney must tell the Clerk at filing whether a Summons on Contempt accompanies the pleading, and the parties must make every effort to settle first or the court will not award attorney fees. Gavvl Law files the show-cause motion correctly, documents the violation, and pursues fees up to $400. Flat fee for a clear violation, full representation when the case is fought.

The summons notice DR 5.06(B) requires. At filing the attorney must notify the Clerk whether a Summons on Contempt accompanies the pleading, and if the Clerk is not told no summons issues — consistent with R.C. 2705.031(C) — so we give that notice and keep your motion from stalling.
We document a good-faith effort to settle. DR Loc. R. 5.06(B) bars an attorney-fee award to a party who has not tried to settle, so we build and record that effort before the hearing to preserve your claim to fees up to $400 without professional testimony.
The right sheet for medical contempt. When the dispute is about health insurance or a child's medical expenses, the court uses the Health Insurance Coverage Contempt Sheet (Form DR-12), which we attach to the show-cause motion so the medical piece is handled correctly.

We file contempt motions in the combined Family Court at 101 S. Main Street in Bellefontaine, working with the Domestic Relations Department at (937) 292-4043 on the $150 motion deposit and the local show-cause procedure under DR Loc. R. 5.06(B).

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the motion for contempt / show cause to enforce an order the other party is violating. You appear at any hearing.

Contempt (single issue): $950
Contempt (multiple issues): $1,450

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, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your contempt case or see payment plans & financing.

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.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

There is an existing order the other party has violated — parenting time, support, or medical/insurance.
You have tried, or are ready to try, to resolve it before a hearing (the court requires it).
You can document the violation (dates, amounts, missed exchanges).
You can pay the $150 motion deposit (or request a waiver) and file under the original case number.

Filing Fees

A Domestic Relations motion/pleading to re-open a case (contempt) is $150 under DR Cost Deposits Schedule A. The court may award attorney fees up to $400 to the prevailing party without professional testimony (DR 5.06(B)). 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

Contempt for parenting time or support — $150 DR motion deposit (Juvenile deposits: confirm with the court)

File a motion to show cause under the original case number and tell the Clerk whether a Summons on Contempt accompanies it. Try to settle before the hearing; the court can award attorney fees up to $400 to the prevailing party without professional testimony. If the violation is unpaid child support, the Logan County Application for Child Support Services opens the CSEA case so arrears can be collected by income withholding and enforced.

Motion for Contempt, Affidavit & Instructions for Service (Ohio SC Form 24) — Opens a contempt (show-cause) action to enforce a decree — parenting time, child or spousal support, property division, or medical orders (R.C. 2705.02 / 2705.031).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
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.

Contempt over health insurance or medical costs — $150 DR motion deposit (Juvenile deposits: confirm with the court)

Use the Health Insurance Coverage Contempt Sheet (Form DR-12) along with the show-cause motion when the dispute is about insurance coverage or a child's medical expenses.

Motion for Contempt, Affidavit & Instructions for Service (Ohio SC Form 24) — Opens a contempt (show-cause) action to enforce a decree — parenting time, child or spousal support, property division, or medical orders (R.C. 2705.02 / 2705.031).
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Logan County

Document the violation. Gather dates, amounts, and records showing how the order was not followed.
Try to settle. Make a documented effort to resolve the issue before filing or before the hearing — the court requires it.
File the show-cause motion. File under the original case number, tell the Clerk whether a Summons on Contempt accompanies it, and pay the $150 deposit.
Attend the hearing. Present your evidence; the court can order compliance, a purge, and attorney fees up to $400 without professional testimony.

Logan County Practice Notes

You must try to settle first. Under DR Loc. R. 5.06(B), the parties must make every effort to settle before the hearing, and the court will not award attorney fees to a party who has not tried to settle. The court may award fees to the prevailing party up to $400 without professional testimony.
Tell the Clerk about the summons. At filing, the attorney must tell the Clerk whether a Summons on Contempt accompanies the pleading; if the Clerk is not notified, no summons issues (DR 5.06(B); R.C. 2705.031(C)). For medical/insurance disputes, attach the Health Insurance Coverage Contempt Sheet (Form DR-12).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover attorney fees in a Logan County contempt case?: Possibly. Under DR Loc. R. 5.06(B), the parties must make every effort to settle before the contempt hearing, and the court will not award attorney fees to a party who has not tried to settle. The court may award attorney fees to the prevailing party up to $400 without professional testimony. Contempt over health insurance or a child's medical expenses uses the Health Insurance Coverage Contempt Sheet (Form DR-12).
How do I change or enforce a Logan County order?: Post-decree motions stay in the same case that issued your decree. To change the parenting-time schedule, the court uses the best-interest standard; to change custody, you must show a change in circumstances plus best interest under R.C. 3109.04(E), and the motion must state the specific change (DR 3.04). To change support, show a change in circumstances or use the CSEA review. A Domestic Relations motion or pleading to re-open the case is $150. A residential parent planning to move files a notice of intent to relocate.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Logan County?: The original-complaint deposit for a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment is $400. A Domestic Relations motion or pleading to re-open a case (custody, visitation, or contempt) is $150 under the DR Cost Deposits Schedule A. A DVCPO petition has no filing fee. Juvenile filing deposits are not on a posted schedule — confirm them with the Juvenile Department. Service by publication is paid directly to the Daily Court Reporter, even in an approved indigent case. An Affidavit of Indigency can waive the deposit. Confirm current amounts with the DR Department at (937) 292-4043.
How does the Logan County CSEA help with child support?: Any Logan County case involving children requires the Application for Child Support Services (a Title IV-D application, DR Loc. R. 1.03), which opens the CSEA case. The CSEA sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects it by income withholding, and can administratively review and adjust an existing order; a contested result can go to the court.

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 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.