Emergency Custody in Morrow County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 8, 2026

Morrow County, Ohio · Mount Gilead

When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can issue an emergency (ex parte) custody order the same day, without first notifying the other parent. In Morrow County you file a sworn motion in the division handling your case at 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead, and the Court sets a prompt full hearing.

How do I get emergency custody in Morrow County, Ohio?

File an emergency (ex parte) motion supported by a sworn affidavit describing specific facts that show the child faces immediate danger, in the division handling your case — the General/Domestic Relations side at the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, 48 East High Street, for married or divorcing parents, or the Juvenile Division for never-married parents. If the affidavit shows immediate harm, the Court can issue a temporary order without notice and then set a full hearing within days where both parents appear. For abuse, neglect, or dependency, Morrow County Children Services and the Juvenile Division handle emergency shelter-care.

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: Morrow County Court of Common Pleas

48 East High Street, Mount Gilead, OH 43338, Mount Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: (419) 947-4515
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: morrowcountyohio.gov/government/county_elected_officials/common_pleas_court/about_the_court.php
e-Filing: https://clerkofcourts.morrowcountyohio.gov/eservices/home.page.2

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
48 East High Street, 3rd Floor, Mount Gilead, OH 43338, Mount Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: (419) 947-5575
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Emergency Custody is the right path if…

A child faces immediate physical danger, abuse, or neglect right now.
You cannot wait for a normal hearing date to protect the child.
You can describe specific, recent facts in a sworn affidavit.
You already have or are starting a custody or divorce case in Morrow County.

Filing Fees

Filed within your custody or divorce case · No separate emergency fee in most cases · Civil Fee Waiver available · Confirm with the Clerk

Forms & Filing Packets

Emergency (ex parte) custody motion

Filed in the division handling your case with a sworn affidavit of immediate danger. The Court can issue a same-day temporary order and set a prompt full hearing.

Motion/Affidavit for Temporary Orders Without Oral Hearing (Ohio uniform Affidavit 5) — The Ohio uniform affidavit used to request emergency temporary orders without an oral hearing, supported by specific facts of immediate danger.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.

How to File Emergency Custody in Morrow County

Write a specific sworn affidavit. Describe the recent facts that show the child faces immediate danger — dates, conduct, and any police or medical involvement.
File in the right division. Married/divorcing parents file on the DR side at 48 East High Street; never-married parents file in the Juvenile Division.
Attend the prompt full hearing. If the Court issues an ex parte order, appear at the full hearing set within days with your evidence and witnesses.

Morrow County Practice Notes

Specific facts win emergency orders. The Court grants ex parte relief only on a sworn affidavit describing specific, recent facts showing immediate danger — not general worry. Vague allegations are usually set for a regular hearing instead.
A full hearing follows quickly. An ex parte order is temporary. The Court sets a prompt full hearing where both parents appear, so the order can be confirmed, changed, or dissolved after both sides are heard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get emergency custody in Morrow County?: File an emergency (ex parte) motion supported by a sworn affidavit describing specific facts that show the child faces immediate danger, in the division handling your case — the General/Domestic Relations side at 48 East High Street for married or divorcing parents, or the Juvenile Division for never-married parents. When the affidavit shows immediate harm, the Court can issue a temporary order without notice and then set a prompt full hearing. For abuse, neglect, or dependency, Morrow County Children Services and the Juvenile Division handle emergency shelter-care.
Do I file in Common Pleas or Juvenile in Morrow County?: Morrow County runs its family cases through one Court of Common Pleas with separate divisions sitting in the same courthouse at 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead. The General/Domestic Relations side handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and the custody, parenting time, and support that travel with them for married or divorcing parents. The Juvenile Division (3rd floor, (419) 947-5575) handles paternity and custody for never-married parents, and grandparent or other non-parent custody.
Where do I file for custody in Morrow County?: If you and the other parent were married, custody and parenting time are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead. If you were never married, file a Complaint for Parentage, Allocation of Parental Rights and Parenting Time in the Morrow County Juvenile Division at the same courthouse, (419) 947-5575. Either division decides custody under the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors.

Free Local Resources in Morrow County

Morrow County Common Pleas Court Forms. Local checklists, packets, and links to the Ohio uniform forms for divorce, dissolution, custody, support, and protection orders at morrowcountyohio.gov (Common Pleas Court Forms page). 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.
Seminar for Separating Parents. Morrow County's court-approved parenting education program required under Local Rule 1 for parents of minor children. Most parents complete an approved online class such as Children in Between and file the Certificate of Completion before the final hearing.
Morrow County Mediation Department. Court mediation with mediator Kathy Nicolosi at 80 North Walnut Street, Suite F, Mount Gilead, (419) 947-9535, can help parents resolve parenting and other disputes outside a contested hearing.

Related to your emergency custody case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Grandparents' Rights — Seek visitation or custody when it serves the child's best interest.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Keep exploring

Ohio Emergency Custody guide — Statewide overview of emergency custody in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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 (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.