Marion County Child Support Attorneys
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 17, 2026
Marion County, Ohio · Marion
Ohio sets child support with the 2024 Income Shares Model. In Marion County, support is established inside a divorce or custody case in the Family Division, or administratively through the Marion County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA).
Hire Gavvl for your Marion County child support case
Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Marion County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.
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 is child support set up in Marion County, Ohio?
Child support is calculated on the official statewide Ohio Child Support Guideline Calculator (2024 Income Shares Model) using both parents' incomes, health-insurance and child-care costs, and parenting time. It is established inside a divorce or an Allocation of Parental Rights case in the Family Division (222 W. Center St.) — a $268 deposit for a standalone allocation case — or administratively through the Marion County CSEA (363 W. Fairground St.; (740) 387-6688). The CSEA can establish, enforce, and collect support and run wage withholding, but it cannot decide custody or parenting time.
Marion County child support, handled by Gavvl Law
Ohio runs support on the 2024 Income Shares Model, and Marion County wants the printed Ohio Child Support Guideline Calculator worksheet filed every time the court sets or changes a number — inside a divorce or a $268 allocation case in the Family Division, or administratively through the Marion County CSEA at 363 W. Fairground Street. Gavvl Law runs the worksheet correctly, files it with the right affidavits, and works on one flat fee agreed before we start, with payment plans available.
- The worksheet done to the penny. Support turns on the inputs to the statewide calculator — both incomes, health-insurance premiums, child-care costs, and parenting time. We build the worksheet from documented figures so the number that gets ordered is the number the guideline actually supports, not a rushed estimate.
- Court order vs. CSEA, chosen deliberately. The Marion County CSEA can establish, enforce, and collect support and run wage withholding, but it cannot touch custody or parenting time. We steer your issue to the Family Division or to the CSEA depending on what you actually need decided, so you are not stuck in the wrong forum.
- Withholding and medical support locked in. We pair the order with the Request to Issue Wage Assignment (Form H) so payments come straight out of pay, and we make sure health-insurance and medical support are addressed alongside the cash figure rather than left for a later fight.
When an existing order is out of date, Marion families have two doors — a court motion or the CSEA Review & Adjust request — and the right one depends on your facts. We use the county's own affidavits (Forms A, C, and D), keep the standalone allocation deposit at the $268 Rule 3 figure, and file a fee waiver if the deposit is out of reach.
Flat-fee options
Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the support motion (establish, modify, or terminate). The court filing fee is billed separately and this does not include in-court representation.
- Establish child support: $950
- Modify child support: $950
- Terminate child support: $950
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 child support case or see payment plans & financing.
Ohio Child Support by the Numbers
- 2024 Year Ohio's updated Income Shares support schedule took effect Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.021
- 10% Change in the calculated amount that justifies a modification Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.79
- 3 years How often either parent can request an administrative review Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.60
- Age 18 When support normally ends — or high-school graduation, whichever is later Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3119.86
What Counts in an Ohio Child Support Calculation
| What the worksheet counts | Counts toward support? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Both parents' gross income | Yes | Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and self-employment earnings |
| Health insurance for the children | Yes | Credited to the parent who pays the premium |
| Work-related childcare | Yes | Daycare and after-school costs are added in |
| Parenting time | Yes | Adjustments apply for substantial or equal parenting time |
| Imputed income | Sometimes | Added when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed |
| A new spouse's income | No | Only the two parents' incomes are counted |
Where to File: Marion County Court of Common Pleas, Family Division
222 W. Center St.Phone: (740) 223-4060
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: Court website
A child-support case fits if…
- You need a first child-support order, whether the parents were married or never married.
- You want support collected automatically through wage withholding rather than relying on voluntary payments.
- You need the Marion County CSEA to enforce an existing order (withholding, license actions, tax intercept).
- You need the official Ohio worksheet completed for a divorce, dissolution, or custody case.
- You want medical support (health-insurance coverage) addressed alongside cash support.
Filing Fees
Standalone allocation case $268 (Rule 3) · no extra fee inside a divorce · CSEA services per agency · fee waiver available
Forms & Filing Packets
Establish or document child support — Inside a divorce: part of that deposit · Standalone allocation case: $268 (Rule 3)
Run the official calculator and file the worksheet and supporting affidavits.
- Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
- Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Marion Form A / Affidavit 1) — Marion's version of Ohio Affidavit 1 — your income, expenses, and basic information. Each party files their own; it must be notarized.
- Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Marion Form C / Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
- Health Insurance Affidavit (Marion Form D / Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Collect and enforce support
Set up automatic income withholding or ask the CSEA to enforce the order.
- Request to Issue Wage Assignment (Marion Form H) — Asks the court to direct income/asset withholding so a support order is paid automatically from the obligor's pay.
- Marion County CSEA Review & Adjust Request — Asks the Marion County CSEA to administratively review and adjust an existing child-support order. CSEA adjusts the support amount only — it cannot change custody or parenting time.
How to File Child Support in Marion County
- Gather income information. Collect both parents' income, health-insurance costs, child-care costs, and parenting-time details.
- Run the Ohio calculator. Complete the statewide Child Support Guideline Calculator (2024 Income Shares) and print the worksheet.
- File the worksheet and affidavits. File the worksheet with Affidavits 1 and 4 (Forms A and D) inside your divorce/custody case, or apply through the Marion County CSEA.
- Set up withholding. Use the Request to Issue Wage Assignment (Form H) so support is withheld automatically from pay.
- Use the CSEA to enforce. Ask the CSEA to enforce or, where appropriate, administratively review and adjust the order.
Marion County Practice Notes
- CSEA establishes and collects — the court decides custody. The Marion County CSEA can establish paternity and establish, enforce, and collect support, including by wage withholding. It cannot grant or change custody or parenting time, or order payment of medical bills — those go to the Family Division of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas.
- Always file the official worksheet. Any time the court sets or changes support, the printed Ohio Child Support Guideline Calculator worksheet must be filed. Use the statewide calculator at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is child support calculated in Marion County?
- Ohio uses the 2024 Income Shares Model. Support is computed on the official statewide Child Support Guideline Calculator using both parents' incomes, health-insurance and child-care costs, and parenting time. The printed worksheet is filed any time the court sets or changes support. Run it at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/.
- What can the Marion County CSEA do — and not do?
- The Marion County Child Support Enforcement Agency (363 W. Fairground St.; (740) 387-6688 or (800) 960-5437) can establish paternity and establish, enforce, and collect child support, including by wage withholding. It cannot grant or change custody, resolve parenting-time disputes, or order payment of medical bills — those are decided by the Family Division.
- Can the Marion County CSEA change my support without going to court?
- Yes — you can ask the CSEA to administratively review and adjust an existing order through its Review & Adjust process (request form at https://mcjfs.com/child-support/review-adjust-request-form/). The CSEA adjusts the support amount only; it cannot change custody or parenting time.
- What does it cost to file a custody or parentage case in Marion County?
- A complaint or motion for Allocation of Parental Rights and Responsibilities carries a $268 deposit (Rule 3). Reopening a dormant case is $210. If a Guardian ad Litem is appointed, a $2,500 deposit applies. A fee waiver (Affidavit of Poverty) is available. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 223-4070.
- Do married and unmarried parents file in the same place in Marion County?
- Both file in the Family Division at 222 W. Center St., but on different tracks. Married (or formerly married) parents resolve custody, parenting time, and support inside a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment. Never-married parents file on the Juvenile side under R.C. 2151.23 — they do not file a divorce.
Free Local Resources in Marion County
- Marion County Family Division — Court Forms. The Family Division of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, and protection-order matters at 222 W. Center St., Marion, OH 43302. Download the county lettered forms (Form A–N) and confirm current deposits before filing. Court (740) 223-4060; Clerk (740) 223-4070. Forms: https://www.co.marion.oh.us/elected_offices/common_pleas_court_family_division/family_court_forms/juvenile_domestic_forms.php
- Marion County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). A division of Marion County Job & Family Services at 363 W. Fairground St., Marion, OH 43302. The CSEA establishes paternity and establishes, enforces, and collects child support; it cannot grant or change custody or parenting time. Call (740) 387-6688 or (800) 960-5437. Review & Adjust and other support help: https://mcjfs.com/child-support/
- Divorcing/Separated Parent Education Program (Rule 12). Each parent in a case involving children completes a court-approved online parenting course within 60 days of the Form I notice and files the Certificate of Completion with the Family Court Clerk. Approved providers listed on Form I charge $38.00–$61.95, paid directly to the provider (not a court fee).
- Ohio Child Support Guideline Calculator. The official statewide calculator that applies Ohio's 2024 Income Shares Model. Run it, print the worksheet, and file it any time the court sets or changes support: https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/
Other Family-Law Topics in Marion County
- Statewide Divorce Overview — How divorce works across Ohio at a high level.
- Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
- Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Marion County family law attorney for help with your case.
Related to your child support case
- Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
- Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.
- Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.
Related guides
In-depth, attorney-written guides on child support and related Ohio family law topics.
- Child Support Calculation in Ohio: How the Formula Works — Ohio calculates child support with the income shares model, combining both parents' incomes to set a shared obligation. Here's how the formula works and what changes the bottom line.
- How to Modify Child Support in Ohio — Child support orders aren't permanent. When income or circumstances change substantially, Ohio lets you modify support — through a CSEA review or a court motion. Here's how.
Keep exploring Marion County family law
- Ohio Child Support guide — Statewide overview of child support in Ohio.
- Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
- Marion County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Marion County guide.
- Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
- Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
