Shared Parenting in Mahoning County

How do I get a shared parenting plan approved in Mahoning County, Ohio?

Either parent (or both jointly) files a Shared Parenting Plan on Ohio uniform Form 20 that covers living arrangements, parenting-time schedule, holidays, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. File it inside your divorce or dissolution at the Mahoning County Domestic Relations Division, 120 Market Street, Youngstown, or with a Juvenile parentage action at 300 East Scott Street if you were never married. The court approves the plan only if it meets the R.C. 3109.04(G) factors and serves the children's best interest, and both parents must complete the court-approved parenting class first.

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

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.

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

• Both parents want to stay actively involved as residential parents and legal custodians.
• You can cooperate on schedules, school, health care, and major decisions.
• You can put a complete, workable plan in writing that covers the R.C. 3109.04(G) factors.
• Ohio is the children's home state under the UCCJEA.

Filing Fees

Filed with the divorce/dissolution deposit or the Juvenile custody filing · Parenting class required · Plan must meet R.C. 3109.04(G)

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Shared Parenting in Mahoning County

1. Draft a plan that meets R.C. 3109.04(G). Cover living arrangements, holidays, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution on Ohio uniform Form 20.
2. Complete the parenting class. Both parents must finish the court-approved parenting class before the plan is approved.
3. File the plan in the right division. Married parents file with the divorce or dissolution at 120 Market Street; never-married parents file with the Juvenile parentage action at 300 East Scott Street.
4. Address any revisions the court requests. If the plan skips a required factor or isn't in the children's best interest, revise and re-file before the merit hearing.

Mahoning County Practice Notes

• Shared parenting plan must address every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor. A written Shared Parenting Plan must address physical living arrangements, holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making authority, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. Plans that skip a factor are routinely sent back for revision.
• Parenting class before parenting orders. Under R.C. 3109.053, the court requires a court-approved parenting class and the filed Certificate of Completion before approving a shared parenting plan. Most parents use an approved online class such as 'Children in Between.'
• Best-interest standard governs. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) lists 10+ factors: each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of sufficient age), the child's interaction with parents/siblings, adjustment to home/school/community, mental and physical health of all involved, the parent more likely to facilitate court-approved parenting time, child support compliance, criminal history, residence outside Ohio, and any history of abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file for custody in Mahoning County?

If you and the other parent were married, custody and parenting time are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation in the Domestic Relations Division at 120 Market Street, Youngstown. If you were never married, file a Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities in the Mahoning County Juvenile Division at 300 East Scott Street, Youngstown, (330) 740-2278. Either court decides custody under the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors.

Is a parenting class required in Mahoning County?

Yes. Under R.C. 3109.053, parents of minor children in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment must complete a court-approved parenting education class and file the Certificate of Completion before the final hearing. Most parents complete an approved online class such as 'Children in Between.' The court will not finalize parenting orders until the certificate is filed.

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.

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.

Other Family-Law Topics in Mahoning County

• Mahoning County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in the Mahoning County DR Division.
• Mahoning County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file in the Juvenile Division.
• Mahoning County Child Support — Ohio Income Shares worksheet, CSEA enforcement, and how to modify an order.

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.
• 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.