Modifying Orders in Muskingum County

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

Muskingum County, Ohio · Zanesville

After a divorce, dissolution, or custody order, the Muskingum County Domestic Relations Court keeps continuing jurisdiction to change custody, parenting time, and child support when circumstances change. You file a post-judgment motion in the existing case, and the court applies the change-of-circumstances and best-interest standards.

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

File a post-judgment motion in the existing case with the Clerk's DR Division: a Motion to Modify Custody (tab 20) for the residential parent, a Motion to Modify Parenting Time (tab 22), or a Motion to Modify Child Support (tab 24) with an updated worksheet. The deposit is $150 (+$50 per party for Sheriff service). Custody changes require a change in circumstances and a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04). To move, file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (tab 58) at least 60 days in advance.

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: Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor
Phone: (740) 455-7190
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Clerk's DR Division files documents 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Website: www.muskingumcountyoh.gov/Courts/Domestic-Relations/

A Muskingum County modification fits if…

You already have a custody, parenting-time, or support order from a Muskingum County (or registered out-of-state) case.
Circumstances have changed since the last order — income, schedules, relocation, or the children's needs.
You want to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or the support amount.
You can show the change serves the children's best interest (for custody and parenting time).

Filing Fees

$150 post-judgment deposit · +$50 per party for Sheriff service · fee waiver available. Relocation requires 60 days' notice (tab 58). Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 455-7898.

Forms & Filing Packets

Modify custody (change the residential parent) — $150 post-judgment deposit (+$50 per party for Sheriff service)

File a Motion to Modify Custody in the existing case. Requires a change in circumstances and a finding that the change serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04).

Motion to Modify Custody (Muskingum County, tab 20) — Post-decree motion to change the residential parent / legal custodian; requires changed circumstances and a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04).
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit DR3 (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) (Muskingum County, tab 50) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction. Required in any case with minor children.

Modify parenting time — $150 post-judgment deposit (+$50 per party for Sheriff service)

File a Motion to Modify Parenting Time under the best-interest standard (R.C. 3109.051).

Motion to Modify Parenting Time (Muskingum County, tab 22) — Post-decree motion to change the parenting-time / companionship schedule under the best-interest standard (R.C. 3109.051).

Modify child support — $150 post-judgment deposit (+$50 per party for Sheriff service)

File a Motion to Modify Child Support with an updated worksheet; a change of circumstances is required.

Motion to Modify Child Support (Muskingum County, tab 24) — Post-decree motion to change child support after a change of circumstances; a completed worksheet is required (Local Rule 7.05).
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.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Muskingum County, tab 52) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children, so the court can order medical support.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Muskingum County

Confirm the changed circumstances. Identify what has changed — income, work or school schedules, a planned move, or the children's needs — and which order needs to change.
File the right motion. Use the Motion to Modify Custody (tab 20), Parenting Time (tab 22), or Child Support (tab 24) in the existing case, with an updated worksheet for support.
Pay the deposit or request a waiver. Pay the $150 post-judgment deposit (add $50 per party for Sheriff service) or file a Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit.
Attend the hearing. Serve the other party and attend the hearing, where the Court applies the change-of-circumstances and best-interest standards.

Muskingum County Practice Notes

Custody changes need changed circumstances. A Motion to Modify Custody (tab 20) requires both a change in circumstances since the last order and a finding that the change serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04). Parenting-time changes use the best-interest standard alone (R.C. 3109.051).
Relocation needs 60 days' notice. A residential parent must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (tab 58) at least 60 days before moving from the residence in the court order (Local Rule 7.04). The Court may set a hearing on whether to revise parenting time.
Out-of-state orders are registered first. A foreign custody order is registered under the UCCJEA (Local Rules 12.01–12.02) and a foreign support order under UIFSA/full faith and credit (Rules 12.03–12.04) before the Court can modify it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change custody after a Muskingum County decree?: File a Motion to Modify Custody (tab 20) in the existing case. The court requires a change in circumstances and a finding that the change serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04). Parenting-time changes use a Motion to Modify Parenting Time (tab 22).
Can I move with my child after a Muskingum County custody order?: A residential parent must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate at least 60 days before moving from the residence named in the court order (Local Rule 7.04; tab 58). The Court may set a hearing to decide whether to revise parenting time.
How much does it cost to file a family-law case in Muskingum County?: A divorce, legal separation, or annulment deposit is $225; a dissolution is $175 ($200 with children); a custody, parenting-time, or support complaint is $175; a post-judgment motion is $150. Add $50 per party for Sheriff service. There is no fee for a DVCPO petitioner. A Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit can waive the deposit. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 455-7898.
What standard does the Muskingum County court use to decide custody?: The R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) best-interest factors — each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of sufficient age), the child's interaction with parents and siblings, adjustment to home/school/community, everyone's mental and physical health, which parent is more likely to honor parenting time, support compliance, criminal history, and any history of abuse.

Free Local Resources in Muskingum County

Muskingum County Clerk of Courts — Domestic Relations Division. Files all DR documents at 22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Zanesville — (740) 455-7898. An advance cost deposit is required before filing (Local Rule 1.07); a Civil Fee Waiver Affidavit can waive it. Forms are on the Court's Domestic Forms page (tabs 1–66).
Domestic Relations Help Desk (free legal clinic). Free help for income-eligible people with simple custody, divorce, and dissolution cases — 4th Monday monthly, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., at the DR Court, 22 N. 5th Street, 2nd Floor. Preregister with Legal Aid of Southeastern & Central Ohio (LASCO) at (614) 827-0504 (intake (866) 529-6446; seols.org).
Domestic Relations Court Mediation Department. The Court runs an in-house Mediation Department. It can order mediation, accepts voluntary post-decree requests without a motion, and offers mediation before a case is filed — call (740) 455-7190 (Local Rules 3.01–3.09).
Transitions (domestic-violence shelter & CPO advocacy). Provides shelter and free protection-order advocacy and can attend court with you — (740) 454-3213. There is no filing fee for a DVCPO petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(K)).
Co-Parenting Seminar registration. The required 2-hour Co-Parenting Seminar (Local Rule 7.07) is offered online; register by calling the Court at (740) 455-7190. The $10 seminar fee is among the Court's costs — confirm the current cost when registering.

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.
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