Enforcing Orders in Mahoning County

Mahoning County, Ohio · Youngstown

When the other party ignores a court order — withholding the children, denying parenting time, or refusing to pay support — Mahoning County lets you file a contempt motion in the division that issued the order. The court can impose fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, or jail for willful violations.

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

File a Motion for Contempt and Affidavit (Ohio uniform Form 24) in the division that issued the order, with a Summons and Order to Appear / Show Cause Order (Form 25), a Request for Service (Form 31), and a Notice of Hearing (DR Local Form 3). The affidavit must identify the violated order and the specific conduct. If the contempt is for unpaid medical bills, attach an Explanation of Health Care Bills (Form 29). Post-decree motions carry a $100 deposit. The court can find a willful violator in contempt and impose fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, or jail; an indigent respondent facing jail may request court-appointed counsel.

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

120 Market Street, Youngstown, OH 44503, Youngstown, OH 44503
Phone: (330) 740-2100
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Website: www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/699/Domestic-Relations-Court

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, OH 44505, Youngstown, OH 44505
Phone: (330) 740-2278
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

The other party is violating a custody, parenting time, or support order.
You have a final order that clearly states what was required.
You can document the specific dates and conduct that violated the order.
Informal attempts to resolve the violation haven't worked.

Filing Fees

$100 post-decree deposit · Ohio uniform Forms 24, 25, and 29 · Enforcement may include fines, attorney fees, makeup time, or jail

Forms & Filing Packets

Contempt for parenting time or custody violations — $100 deposit

Motion for Contempt and Affidavit (Ohio uniform Form 24) — The Ohio uniform contempt motion and affidavit identifying the violated order and the specific conduct, filed in the issuing division.
Show Cause Order (Ohio uniform Form 25) — The summons and order requiring the other party to appear and show cause why they should not be held in contempt.

Contempt for unpaid child support — $100 deposit

Motion for Contempt and Affidavit (Ohio uniform Form 24) — Used to enforce an unpaid support order; the affidavit states the claimed arrearage.
Explanation of Health Care Bills (Ohio uniform Form 29) — Attached when the contempt is for unpaid medical or health-care bills.

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Mahoning County

Document the violation. Gather dates, messages, payment records, and a log showing exactly how the order was violated.
Complete the contempt motion. Prepare Ohio uniform Form 24 with the affidavit, the Show Cause Order (Form 25), and the Request for Service, with the order attached.
File in the issuing division and serve. File in the division that issued the order, pay the $100 deposit, and serve the other party so they're ordered to appear.
Attend the hearing. Present your evidence. The court can impose fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, or jail for willful violations.

Mahoning County Practice Notes

Be specific about each violation. The contempt affidavit must identify the violated order and the specific conduct, with a copy of the order attached. Vague 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 Mahoning County CSEA can pursue wage withholding, license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals alongside your motion. Support is paid through Ohio Child Support Payment Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file in Mahoning County?: The Mahoning County Domestic Relations Division requires a filing deposit set by the Clerk of Courts, which is higher for cases with minor children because of the added parenting and support work. Deposits and current fee amounts are posted by the Clerk of Courts; if you cannot afford the deposit, file a Poverty Affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) asking the court to waive the deposit. Pay at the Clerk of Courts, 120 Market Street, Youngstown.
What does Mahoning County CSEA do?: The Mahoning 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 through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. Reach the CSEA at 345 Oak Hill Avenue, Entrance D, Youngstown, OH 44502, (330) 740-2073. Payment questions go to Ohio Child Support Payments at 1-800-860-2555.
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.
Do I file in the Domestic Relations or Juvenile Division in Mahoning County?: Mahoning County runs two separate courts. The Domestic Relations Division (120 Market Street, Youngstown) handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and the custody, parenting time, and support that travel with them for married or divorcing parents. The separate Juvenile Division (300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, Judge Theresa Dellick, (330) 740-2278) handles paternity and custody for never-married parents, and grandparent / non-parent custody.

Free Local Resources in Mahoning County

Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court. Local forms, local rules, and filing information for divorce, dissolution, custody, support, and protection orders at mahoningcountyoh.gov/699/Domestic-Relations-Court. Court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. The state's official 2024 Income Shares worksheet at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. Run it, print, and sign it before any hearing that sets or changes support.
Children in Between (online parenting class). An approved online parenting class for parents of minor children, completed before the final hearing. The Certificate of Completion is filed with the court.
Community Legal Aid Services. Free civil legal help for income-eligible residents of Mahoning County and northeast Ohio. Intake line 1-800-998-9454.

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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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 +1-844-694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.