Modifying Orders in Morgan County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Morgan County, Ohio · McConnelsville

Life changes after a custody, parenting-time, or support order is entered. In Morgan County, you ask for a change by filing a post-decree motion in the same division that issued the order — Domestic Relations for divorce/dissolution cases, Juvenile for unmarried-parent cases — and using the correct form for the specific change you want, because the court treats custody, parenting time, school placement, and support as distinct requests.

How do I change a custody or support order in Morgan County, Ohio?

File a post-decree motion in the division that issued the order. Use Form 27/JF 6 to change custody (which requires a change in circumstances since the last order plus a best-interest finding under R.C. 3109.04(E)), Form 26/JF 5 to change parenting time (a lower standard), or Form 28/JF 7 to change child support (generally a 10% change test under R.C. 3119.79). A Domestic Relations post-decree motion deposit is $120; a Juvenile modification is $150. A residential parent who intends to move must first file a written relocation notice with the Clerk ($5) and may not move the children out of Ohio without a modified order.

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: Morgan County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

19 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, McConnelsville, OH 43756
Phone: (740) 962-3371
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
Website: www.morgancocourtsoh.gov/Domestic-Relations/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Morgan County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Division
19 East Main Street, 2nd Floor (Favreau Room), McConnelsville, OH 43756
Phone: (740) 962-2861
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

Circumstances have changed since your last custody, parenting-time, or support order.
You want to change who the children live with, the parenting-time schedule, or the support amount.
You are the residential parent planning to move and need to file a relocation notice.
You have an out-of-state order you need to register before an Ohio court can change it.

Filing Fees

Post-decree motion: $120 (Domestic Relations) or $150 (Juvenile) · relocation notice: $5 · $150 home-investigation deposit if a custody investigation is ordered · confirm current amounts with the Clerk (740-962-3371) or Juvenile Division (740-962-2861)

Forms & Filing Packets

Change custody (reallocation of parental rights) — $120 DR post-decree motion · $150 Juvenile modification

File Form 27/JF 6 in the division that issued the order. You must show a change in circumstances since the last order plus that the change is in the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)). The court may order a $150 home investigation.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 27 / JF 6) — Asks the court to reallocate custody after a final order. Requires a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04(E)).
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC 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.

Change parenting time — $120 DR post-decree motion · $150 Juvenile modification

File Form 26/JF 5 in the issuing division. This is a lower standard than changing custody; the Morgan County visitation guidelines apply to the resulting schedule.

Motion for Change of Parenting Time / Companionship (Ohio SC Form 26 / JF 5) — Changes the parenting-time schedule (a lower standard than changing custody). The Morgan County visitation guidelines apply to the resulting schedule.
Morgan County Standard Local Visitation Guidelines — The court's own parenting-time schedule for parents living within 100 miles of Morgan County — alternate weekends (Fri 6 p.m.–Sun 6 p.m.), twelve holidays split equally, and a two-week summer block for each parent. This becomes the order unless the parents agree otherwise in writing the judge approves.

Change child support — $120 DR post-decree motion · $150 Juvenile modification

File Form 28/JF 7 with a new child-support worksheet, or ask the Morgan County CSEA for an administrative review. A 10% change or other qualifying basis is generally required (R.C. 3119.79).

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.
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.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Morgan County

Identify the change and the standard. Decide whether you're changing custody (change in circumstances + best interest), parenting time (lower standard), or support (10% test), and choose the matching motion form.
File in the issuing division. File the motion in the same division that entered the order — Domestic Relations ($120) for divorce/dissolution cases or Juvenile ($150) for unmarried-parent cases.
Serve and support your request. Serve the other party and attach the supporting documents — a new child-support worksheet for support changes, or the parenting proceeding affidavit for custody changes.
Handle relocation or out-of-state orders. If you're moving, file the $5 relocation notice with the Clerk first; if your order is from another state, register it under the UCCJEA or UIFSA before asking for changes.

Morgan County Practice Notes

Use the correct motion for the change you want. Morgan County treats custody, parenting time, school-placement designation, and support as distinct requests with different standards. Changing custody requires a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04(E)); changing parenting time uses a lower standard; changing support uses the R.C. 3119.79 test. Changing which school district the child attends is an administrative change, not a custody change — keep it separate.
Relocation notice and out-of-state orders. A residential parent who intends to move must, before moving, file a written notice of intent to relocate with the Clerk of Courts, 19 East Main Street, McConnelsville ($5 fee), and may not move the children out of Ohio without a modified order. An out-of-state custody order is registered under the UCCJEA (R.C. Ch. 3127), and an out-of-state support order under UIFSA (R.C. Ch. 3115, often through CSEA), before an Ohio court can enforce or modify it.
One Common Pleas court, one judge, four divisions. Morgan County runs a single Court of Common Pleas with four divisions (General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, Probate), all presided over by one judge — the Hon. John Wells — at the Morgan County Court House, 19 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, McConnelsville. The same judge hears a case from filing through final order; there is no separate magistrate docket published.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a custody, support, or parenting-time order in Morgan County?: File a post-decree motion in the same division that issued the order — Domestic Relations (740-962-3371) for divorce/dissolution cases, Juvenile (740-962-2861) for unmarried-parent cases. Use Form 27/JF 6 to change custody (which requires a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding under R.C. 3109.04(E)), Form 26/JF 5 to change parenting time, or Form 28/JF 7 to change support. A DR post-decree motion deposit is $120; a Juvenile modification is $150.
Do I have to tell the court before I move with my child in Morgan County?: Yes. Under the court's visitation guidelines (R.C. 3109.051(G)), the residential parent must file a written notice of intent to relocate with the Clerk of Courts, 19 East Main Street, McConnelsville, before moving — listing the case number and old and new addresses — with a $5.00 filing fee. The Clerk mails a copy to the other parent, who may ask the court to adjust parenting time. A residential parent may not move the children out of Ohio without first obtaining a modified order.
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 child's home state when the child has lived in Ohio with a parent for at least six consecutive months immediately before filing. If the child recently moved, the prior state may still have jurisdiction. An out-of-state custody order is registered under the UCCJEA before an Ohio court can enforce or modify it.
Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Morgan County?: If you are married to (or were married to) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in the Domestic Relations Division (740-962-3371). If you were never married, paternity and custody are handled by the Juvenile Division (740-962-2861), held in the Favreau Room on the 2nd floor. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed in the Juvenile Division.

Free Local Resources in Morgan County

Morgan County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Current filing fees, deposit amounts, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment. Call (740) 962-3371 or visit https://www.morgancocourtsoh.gov/Domestic-Relations/ before filing; the county uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms.
Morgan County Juvenile Division. Handles never-married-parent custody, parentage, parenting time, and child support, plus non-parent custody. Filing line (740) 962-2861; proceedings are held in the Favreau Room, 2nd floor of the courthouse.
Morgan County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA / DJFS). Housed in the Morgan County Department of Job and Family Services (Director Heidi Burns), 155 E. Main St., Rm. 009, McConnelsville. Opens IV-D cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Phone (740) 962-4616, fax (740) 962-5344.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.

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Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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