Post-Decree Modifications in Morrow County

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

Morrow County, Ohio · Mount Gilead

After a final order, life changes — incomes, schedules, and where the children live. In Morrow County you ask the Court of Common Pleas (or the Juvenile Division) to change custody, parenting time, or support by filing the Ohio uniform motion in the division that issued the order.

How do I modify a custody, parenting-time, or support order in Morrow County, Ohio?

File the matching Ohio uniform motion in the division that issued your order at the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas, 48 East High Street, Mount Gilead — SF 27 to change custody, SF 26 to change parenting time, or SF 28 to change child support. Custody changes require a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding under R.C. 3109.04(E); support changes generally require about a 10% swing or a substantial change. File a new child-support worksheet with any support motion. CSEA can also conduct an administrative support review.

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.

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

There has been a real change since your last order — a move, a new schedule, a job change, or a safety concern.
Your current parenting time or support no longer fits your family's situation.
You want to change which parent is residential parent and legal custodian.
A support order is roughly 10%+ off from the current guideline amount.

Filing Fees

Per the Clerk fee schedule · New child-support worksheet required for support changes · Civil Fee Waiver available

Forms & Filing Packets

Change child support

Filed in the division that issued the order, with a new Ohio child-support worksheet. CSEA can also run an administrative review.

Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio uniform SF 28 / JF 7) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.

Change custody or parenting time

Filed in the division that issued the order. Custody changes require a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Ohio uniform SF 27 / JF 6) — The Ohio uniform motion used to change which parent is residential parent and legal custodian.
Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Ohio uniform SF 26 / JF 5) — The Ohio uniform motion used to change companionship/visitation when custody is not changing.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Morrow County

Identify the right motion. SF 27 for custody, SF 26 for parenting time, SF 28 for child support — filed in the division that issued the order.
Document the change. Gather proof of the change in circumstances, income, or schedule that supports your motion.
File and serve. File with the Morrow County Clerk of Courts at 48 East High Street and serve the other parent; attach a new worksheet for support changes.

Morrow County Practice Notes

Custody changes need a change in circumstances. Under R.C. 3109.04(E), the Court will not change the residential parent without a change in circumstances since the last order and a finding that the change serves the children's best interest.
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

How long does a Morrow County case usually take?: A dissolution is heard 30–90 days after filing. An uncontested (default) divorce, where the other spouse will not respond, typically finishes in a few months. A contested divorce usually runs 8–18 months depending on temporary-orders activity, discovery, and the magistrate's calendar. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer after being served.
How is child support calculated in Morrow County?: Morrow County uses Ohio's statewide 2024 Income Shares Model — there is no county formula. Run the official worksheet at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov with both parents' gross incomes, parenting-time, health-insurance, and child-care figures, then file the signed worksheet with your support pleadings. The Morrow County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), a division of Morrow County Job & Family Services at 619 W. Marion Road, Mount Gilead, (419) 947-9111, collects and enforces the order through wage withholding once it is journalized.
How much does it cost to file in Morrow County?: Morrow County charges a flat divorce deposit of $400 (the same with or without children) and a flat dissolution deposit of $275. Legal separation and annulment are filed on the divorce-type deposit; protection-order (DVCPO) petitions carry no filing fee to the petitioner. Juvenile and Probate matters are taken on a cash-deposit basis set by the Court. If you cannot afford the deposit, file the Ohio Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit and Order. Pay the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, Room 6, 48 East High Street, (419) 947-2085.

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 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.

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.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.