Shared Parenting in Muskingum County

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

Muskingum County, Ohio · Zanesville

Shared parenting names both parents the residential parent and legal custodian under R.C. 3109.04(G). To get it, you submit a written Shared Parenting Plan that addresses every required topic, and the Domestic Relations Court approves it only if it serves the children's best interest. Muskingum County posts its own Shared Parenting Plan form and applies a Standard Parenting Time Order when parents don't agree on a schedule.

How do I ask for shared parenting in Muskingum County, Ohio?

Submit a proposed Shared Parenting Plan — tab 57 in a divorce or custody case, or the dissolution Shared Parenting Plan (tab 15) — that addresses living arrangements, the holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. File it with the underlying divorce, dissolution, or custody case (with the DR3 parenting affidavit and a child-support worksheet), complete the Co-Parenting Seminar, and the Court approves the plan if it serves the children's best interest. Plans that skip a required factor are sent back for revision.

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/

Shared parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to be named residential parent and legal custodian and can cooperate on major decisions.
You can write a plan covering living arrangements, schedules, support, decision-making, and dispute resolution.
There is no history of domestic violence or other factor that makes shared decision-making unsafe.
You can complete the 2-hour Co-Parenting Seminar before the final hearing.

Filing Fees

No separate fee — filed within a divorce ($225), dissolution ($200 with children), or custody ($175) case. Co-Parenting Seminar $10. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 455-7898.

Forms & Filing Packets

Shared parenting inside a divorce or dissolution — Part of the divorce ($225) or dissolution ($200 with children) deposit

Submit the Shared Parenting Plan with your divorce or dissolution packet, the DR3 parenting affidavit, and a child-support worksheet.

Shared Parenting Plan (Muskingum County, tab 57) — Required when both parents ask to be named residential parent and legal custodian under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must address every required factor.
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.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Muskingum County, tab 52) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children, so the court can order medical support.
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.

Shared parenting in a custody case (unmarried parents) — $175 custody deposit (+$50 per party for Sheriff service)

File a Complaint for Custody (tab 19) with a proposed Shared Parenting Plan, the DR3 parenting affidavit, and a child-support worksheet. Paternity must be established first.

Complaint for Custody (Muskingum County, tab 19) — Asks the court to allocate parental rights and name a residential parent and legal custodian (proof of paternity required).
Shared Parenting Plan (Muskingum County, tab 57) — Required when both parents ask to be named residential parent and legal custodian under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must address every required factor.
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.
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 Shared Parenting in Muskingum County

Draft the Shared Parenting Plan. Use the county Shared Parenting Plan (tab 57, or tab 15 in a dissolution) and address every required topic in writing.
File it with the underlying case. Submit the plan with your divorce, dissolution, or custody packet, plus the DR3 parenting affidavit and an Ohio child-support worksheet.
Complete the Co-Parenting Seminar. Register at (740) 455-7190 and finish the 2-hour seminar before the final hearing.
Get the plan approved. The Court approves the plan if it serves the children's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F), or sends it back for revision.

Muskingum County Practice Notes

The plan must address every required factor. A Shared Parenting Plan must cover physical living arrangements, the holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making authority, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. Plans that skip a factor are routinely sent back for revision.
Standard Parenting Time Order is the default. Under Local Rule 7.03, the Court's Standard Parenting Time Order (Appendix B) is incorporated into every parenting-time order unless specifically excluded, with Age-Appropriate Guidelines available for young children.
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

What is shared parenting and how do I ask for it in Muskingum County?: Shared parenting names both parents residential parent and legal custodian under R.C. 3109.04(G). To ask for it, submit a proposed Shared Parenting Plan (tab 57, or the dissolution SPP, tab 15) that addresses living arrangements, the holiday/vacation schedule, child support, decision-making, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. Plans that skip a required factor are sent back for revision.
What parenting-time schedule applies in Muskingum County if we don't agree?: The Court's Standard Parenting Time Order (Appendix B), adopted under R.C. 3109.051, is incorporated into every parenting-time order unless specifically excluded. Age-Appropriate Parenting Time Guidelines may be ordered instead for young children (Local Rule 7.03).
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.
Is a parenting class required for Muskingum County cases with children?: Yes. Under Local Rule 7.07, a 2-hour Co-Parenting Seminar must be completed before the final hearing in every divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment with minor children, and in any complaint for allocation of parental rights or parenting time. Register at (740) 455-7190 (offered online; $10 seminar fee). A separate six-week Cooperative Parenting Class ($100/person, both parents together) is ordered only in higher-conflict cases.

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 shared parenting case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on shared parenting and related Ohio family law topics.

Shared Parenting in Ohio: How Joint Custody Really Works — Shared parenting is Ohio's version of joint custody — both parents stay legal custodians and share major decisions. Here's what a plan must cover and how courts decide.
Ohio Child Custody Laws: What Every Parent Should Know — Ohio custody law turns on one principle: the best interest of the child. This guide explains sole custody, shared parenting, the statutory factors, and how courts decide.
Fathers' Rights in Ohio: Custody, Paternity, and Parenting Time — Ohio law does not favor mothers over fathers — but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they have any rights. Here's how fathers protect their relationship with their children.

Keep exploring

Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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