Shared Parenting in Lucas County

How do I get shared parenting in Lucas County?

Either or both parents file a proposed Shared Parenting Plan (Uniform DR Form 20) with the Domestic Relations Division. Under R.C. 3109.04(G) the plan must address living arrangements, the holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. The Magistrate or Judge approves it only when it is in the children's best interest. Shared parenting means legal custody to both parents — it does not automatically mean an equal 50/50 schedule.

Where to File: Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division (Juvenile Justice Center)
1801 Spielbusch Avenue, Toledo, OH 43604, Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: (419) 213-6722
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

• Both parents want to share decision-making for the children.
• You can agree on a detailed parenting schedule, or are willing to let the court decide one.
• You are filing inside a Lucas County divorce, dissolution, or post-decree case.
• You want a plan that covers holidays, school, health care, and tax exemptions.

Filing Fees

Filed within an existing Lucas County DR case · the local five-Schedule packet and case deposits still apply

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Shared Parenting in Lucas County

1. Draft the plan. Complete Uniform DR Form 20, covering schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, school, health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution.
2. Run the support worksheet. Complete the Ohio Child Support Worksheet — guideline support still applies under shared parenting.
3. File with the DR Division. File the proposed plan and Parenting Proceeding Affidavit at 429 N. Michigan Street, Toledo, within your divorce, dissolution, or post-decree case.
4. Attend the hearing. The Magistrate or Judge reviews the plan for the children's best interest and either approves it or sets terms after a hearing.

Lucas County Practice Notes

• Shared parenting is not automatic 50/50. Shared parenting allocates legal custody and decision-making to both parents. The actual overnight schedule can still be unequal — the plan can put the children primarily with one parent while keeping both as legal custodians.
• The plan must be specific. Lucas County expects a detailed plan. Vague plans get rejected — spell out the holiday rotation, exchange times and locations, transportation, and how disputes get resolved before going back to court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does shared parenting work in Lucas County?

Either or both parents can ask the Domestic Relations Division for shared parenting by filing a proposed Shared Parenting Plan (Uniform DR Form 20). The plan must address physical living arrangements, the holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making authority, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution under R.C. 3109.04(G). The court approves the plan only if it serves the children's best interest. Shared parenting means legal custody to both parents — not automatically a 50/50 schedule.

Is a parenting class required in Lucas County?

Yes. In any divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or parentage case involving minor children, both parents must complete the Parenting-Through-Divorce education program (the Children in Between online course approved for Lucas County) before a final order. The Court Counseling Department on the 4th Floor of the Family Court Center (established 1938) handles scheduling and proof of completion.

When is a Guardian ad Litem appointed in Lucas County?

In a contested custody or parentage case, the court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem — a court-appointed attorney who investigates and recommends a parenting arrangement in the child's best interest. The GAL represents what is best for the child, not the child's wishes, files a written report before the final hearing, and is available for cross-examination. GAL fees are allocated between the parties by ability to pay.

Do never-married parents file custody in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Lucas County?

In Lucas County, married and divorcing parents resolve custody, parenting time, and support inside their divorce or dissolution at the Domestic Relations Division (Family Court Center, 429 N. Michigan Street). Never-married parents file parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support at the Juvenile Division (Juvenile Justice Center, 1801 Spielbusch Avenue). Non-parent and grandparent custody petitions also go to the Juvenile Division.

What does it mean for Ohio to be my child's 'home state' under the UCCJEA?

Under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127), Ohio is the children's home state when they have lived in Ohio with a parent for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before the filing. If the children recently moved, the prior state may still have jurisdiction. Ohio courts can also decline jurisdiction as an inconvenient forum under R.C. 3127.21 even when home-state requirements are met. The Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Uniform DR Affidavit 3) is how you swear to those facts.

Free Local Resources in Lucas County

• Lucas County DR Division — Forms Hub (Schedules 1–5). Every Domestic Relations local Schedule form, the Uniform Ohio forms, and the filing instructions are posted free at co.lucas.oh.us/1360/Domestic-Relations-Division-Forms.
• Court Counseling Department (4th Floor, Family Court Center). Established 1938 — handles family evaluations, mediation, conciliation assessments, intake services, and parenting-education scheduling through the Family Court Center.
• Domestic Violence Resource Center (2nd Floor, Family Court Center). Helps petitioners obtain Civil Protection Orders. Call (419) 213-2700.
• Lucas County CSEA. Child Support Enforcement Agency at 3737 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43623, (419) 213-3001 — opens cases, collects, and enforces support.

Other Family-Law Topics in Lucas County

• Lucas County Divorce — Contested and default divorce filing guide for the DR Division at 429 N. Michigan Street.
• Lucas County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file parentage in the Juvenile Division.
• Lucas County Child Support — Ohio worksheet, Lucas County CSEA collection, and how to modify an order.
• Lucas County Paternity — Establish parentage by Acknowledgment, CSEA, or a Juvenile Division complaint.
• Lucas County Shared Parenting — File a Uniform DR Form 20 Shared Parenting Plan in the DR Division.
• Lucas County Emergency Custody — Seek an ex parte order when a child faces immediate danger.
• Lucas County Modifications — Change a custody, parenting-time, or child-support order after a life change.
• Lucas County Protection Orders — File a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order with no filing fee.
• Lucas County Legal Separation — Divide property and set support while staying legally married.
• Lucas County Annulment — Available only on the narrow R.C. 3105.31 grounds — most cases need a divorce.
• Lucas County Grandparent & Non-Parent Custody — Relatives must prove parental unsuitability under In re Perales.

Related to your shared parenting case

• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting 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.