Post-Decree Modifications in Marion County, Ohio
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 17, 2026
Marion County, Ohio · Marion
Life changes after a decree. Marion County's Family Division can modify custody, parenting time, or support under the original case number and assigned judge or magistrate (continuing jurisdiction).
How do I change a custody or support order in Marion County, Ohio?
File a motion to modify in your original Marion County case. A change of the residential parent/legal custodian requires a change in circumstances and a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04(E)). A support-modification motion must include Affidavits 1, 3, and 4 (Forms A, C, D), your most recent W-2, your last 6 pay stubs, and 3 years of overtime/bonus history (Local Rule 6) — incomplete packets are routinely rejected. As an alternative for support only, ask the Marion County CSEA to Review & Adjust the order. A relocating residential parent files a Notice of Intent to Relocate (Form L) under Rule 20.
Ohio Custody by the Numbers
- Best interest The single standard that governs every Ohio custody decision Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04
- No set age There is no age a child can choose a parent — the judge weighs a mature child's wishes Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(B)
- Change in circumstances Required, plus a best-interest finding, before the residential parent can be changed Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(E)(1)
- Shared parenting Either parent may ask the court for a joint parenting plan Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3109.04(G)
Compare Types of Custody in Ohio
| Custody type | Who makes major decisions | Where the child lives | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared parenting | Both parents jointly, under a written plan | Time is split per the plan (not always 50/50) | Parents can communicate and cooperate on decisions |
| Sole legal & residential | One parent | Primarily with that parent | One parent is unable or unwilling to co-parent |
| Split custody | Each parent for the child in their care | Siblings are divided between the two homes | Rare — only when it serves each child's best interest |
| Legal custody to a non-parent | The relative or caregiver granted custody | With the non-parent caregiver | Neither parent can safely care for the child |
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: www.co.marion.oh.us/elected_offices/common_pleas_court_family_division/index.php
A modification fits if…
- There has been a real change in circumstances since the last custody order.
- Incomes, parenting time, or child-care/health-insurance costs have changed enough to affect support.
- You are the residential parent planning to move and must give the court notice.
- You need to change which parent is residential for school purposes (handled under R.C. 3109.04(E)).
- You can assemble the full Rule 6 financial packet before filing a support motion.
Filing Fees
$268 allocation (Rule 3) · $210 reactivation · GAL deposit $2,500 if appointed · fee waiver available
Forms & Filing Packets
Modify custody or parenting time — $268 allocation of parental rights (Rule 3) · $210 to reactivate a dormant case
Show a change in circumstances and that the change is in the child's best interest.
- 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.
- 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.
- Parenting Addendum (Marion Form K) — Attached when an order includes parenting or support terms, setting out the parenting-time details.
Modify child support
Assemble the Rule 6 packet, or use the CSEA Review & Adjust process.
- Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
- 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.
- 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.
Relocation notice
- Notice of Intent to Relocate (Marion Form L) — A residential parent who intends to move files this notice (Rule 20); the court may set a hearing on whether the move and any parenting-time change is in the child's best interest.
- Duty to Keep Court Advised of Address (Marion Form G) — Keeps the court informed of your current mailing address. File it (and update it) so notices and orders reach you.
How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Marion County
- Identify the change. Pinpoint the change in circumstances (income, relocation, the child's needs) that supports the modification.
- Choose court or CSEA. For support, either file a court motion with the Rule 6 packet or ask the CSEA to Review & Adjust.
- Assemble the financial packet. For a court support motion, gather Affidavits 1/3/4, your latest W-2, last 6 pay stubs, and 3 years of OT/bonus history.
- File and serve the motion. File the motion in the original case (reactivation is $210 if dormant) and serve the other party.
- Give relocation notice if moving. A residential parent files the Notice of Intent to Relocate (Form L) under Rule 20.
Marion County Practice Notes
- The Rule 6 packet is mandatory for support changes. Support-modification motions are routinely rejected or delayed if the Rule 6 financial packet (Affidavits 1/3/4 + latest W-2 + last 6 pay stubs + 3 years of OT/bonus history) is incomplete — assemble it before filing.
- School placement is not a custody change. Changing the child's school placement or the residential parent for school purposes is handled under R.C. 3109.04(E) but does not reallocate legal custody.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I change a custody order in Marion County after the decree?
- File a motion to modify in the original Marion County case. A change of the residential parent/legal custodian requires a change in circumstances and a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04(E)). Changing only the child's school placement is handled under the same statute but is not the same as reallocating legal custody.
- What do I need to file to change child support in Marion County?
- A support-modification motion must include Affidavits 1, 3, and 4 (Marion Forms A, C, and D), your most recent W-2, your last 6 pay stubs, and 3 years of overtime/bonus history (Local Rule 6). Incomplete filings are routinely rejected or delayed — assemble the full Rule 6 packet before filing.
- 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.
- Is changing my child's school the same as changing custody in Marion County?
- No. A change to the child's school placement or to which parent is the residential parent for school purposes is handled under R.C. 3109.04(E) but does not reallocate legal custody. A true change of custody requires a change in circumstances and a best-interest finding.
- Do I have to tell the court before I move in Marion County?
- Yes. A residential parent who intends to relocate files a Notice of Intent to Relocate (Marion Form L) under Local Rule 20. The court may set a hearing on whether the move and any parenting-time change is in the child's best interest.
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 modifications case
- Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
- Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
- Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.
Related guides
In-depth, attorney-written guides on modifications and related Ohio family law topics.
- Post-Decree Modifications in Ohio: Changing Your Order After Divorce — Your divorce decree isn't carved in stone. When life changes, Ohio lets you modify custody, parenting time, and support — but each requires meeting a specific legal standard. Here's how.
- 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.
- Contempt Motions in Ohio Family Court: Enforcing Your Order — When the other parent ignores a court order — withholding the children or refusing to pay support — a contempt motion is how Ohio courts enforce it. Here's how the process works.
Keep exploring
- Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
- Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
- Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
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