Enforcing Orders in Lorain County

How do I file a contempt motion in Lorain County, Ohio?

File a Motion for Contempt (Show Cause) in the division that issued the order — the DR Division or Juvenile Division at 225 Court Street, Elyria, OH 44035 — using the Lorain Self-Help contempt form assistant. The motion must identify the specific order and how it was violated. The court issues a show-cause order requiring the other party to appear and explain. Possible penalties include fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, and jail. Support enforcement also runs through the IV-D Domestic Support Unit at (440) 326-4836.

Where to File: Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations & Juvenile Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Lorain County Juvenile Division
225 Court Street, Elyria, OH 44035, Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: (440) 329-5187
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• There is a clear court order and the other party is violating it.
• You've documented the missed parenting time, withheld children, or unpaid support.
• Informal requests to comply haven't worked.
• You want the court to enforce — fines, attorney fees, makeup time, or jail.

Filing Fees

Filing deposit set by the Clerk · $50 motion after judgment · Enforcement may include fines, attorney fees, makeup time, or jail

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Lorain County

1. Document the violation. Gather dates, messages, payment records, and a log showing exactly how the order was violated.
2. File the contempt / show-cause motion. Use the Lorain Self-Help contempt form assistant in the division that issued the order.
3. Serve the show-cause order. The court orders the other party to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt.
4. Attend the hearing. Present your evidence. The court can impose fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, or jail for willful violations.

Lorain County Practice Notes

• Be specific about each violation. Identify the exact order, the date, and the conduct that violated it. Vague contempt motions are hard to prove. Keep a log of missed parenting time or payments and attach documentation.
• CSEA can enforce support in parallel. For unpaid support, the Lorain County CSEA and the court's IV-D Domestic Support Unit can pursue wage withholding, license suspension, federal tax intercept, and contempt referrals alongside your motion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I file in the Domestic Relations or Juvenile Division in Lorain County?

Lorain County runs a combined Domestic Relations & Juvenile Division at 225 Court Street, but the case type still controls. If you are married to the other parent (or were married when the children were born), custody, parenting time, and support travel with your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in the Domestic Relations Division at (440) 329-5277. If you were never married, paternity and custody go to the Juvenile Division at (440) 329-5187. Grandparent / non-parent custody is always Juvenile.

What does Lorain County CSEA do?

The Lorain County Child Support Enforcement Agency opens IV-D cases, runs the Ohio Income Shares calculation, collects support by wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and enforces orders. The court's IV-D Domestic Support Unit at (440) 326-4836 handles child-support hearings before Magistrates Tracy Ly and Nicole Block. File the IV-D Application (JFS07076) whenever a support order is established. CSEA forms are at lcdjfs.com/forms.

How much does it cost to file in Lorain County?

Lorain County DR deposits (effective 11/01/2025): divorce, dissolution, or annulment $350 without minor children and $675 with minor children. A Motion for Change of Custody or Child Support is $100, a motion after judgment to modify, revive, or vacate is $50, service by publication is $75, and the bond for an ex parte restraining order is $75. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at 225 Court Street, Room 108, Elyria.

What is a IV-D application and why do I need one?

A IV-D Application opens a child-support case with your county's Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Once opened, CSEA collects support through automatic wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and can enforce the order through license suspension, federal tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals. Filing a IV-D Application is standard whenever a child-support order is issued.

Free Local Resources in Lorain County

• Lorain County Virtual Self-Help Center. Guided form assistants and fillable PDFs for divorce, dissolution, custody, support, legal separation, and protection orders at lcdrc.ohiolegalhelp.org. Create an account to save and complete your forms on your own schedule.
• Lorain County Help Center. Free in-person help understanding court processes and procedures on the 2nd Floor of the Justice Center, 225 Court Street, Elyria. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Call (440) 406-3288. Staff cannot give legal advice.
• Separating Parents Seminar. Required parenting education for divorcing, dissolving, and unmarried parents and anyone seeking custody or visitation. Free in-person and Zoom sessions, or a $25+ online Center for Divorce Education course. Register at lcdrc.org or call (440) 326-4846.
• Genesis House Domestic Violence Shelter. 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, and support for men, women, and children fleeing domestic violence in Lorain County. All basic needs provided.

Other Family-Law Topics in Lorain County

• Lorain County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in the Lorain County DR Division.
• Lorain County Dissolution — Both-parties-agree route — faster and cheaper than a divorce.
• Lorain County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file in the Juvenile Division.

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.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
• Cleveland family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cleveland 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.