Enforcing Orders in Ottawa County

Where to File: Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court (Juvenile Division)
315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-6840
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• There is a clear, current court order the other party is violating.
• The other parent is denying parenting time, not following the custody order, or not paying support.
• You can document the violations (dates, missed exchanges, payment history).
• You want the court to enforce the order, not change it.

Filing Fees

Juvenile contempt citation ~$38 · DR contempt is filed with a Show Cause Order (Form 25) · the motion is sworn before a notary — confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 734-6755 or the Juvenile Division at (419) 734-6840

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Ottawa County

1. Confirm the right court. File contempt in the court that issued the order — the Domestic Relations Division or the Probate & Juvenile Court.
2. Prepare the sworn motion. Complete the Motion for Contempt and the Show Cause Order (Form 25 in DR; the Juvenile show-cause order), and have the motion notarized.
3. File and serve. File with the Clerk or Juvenile Court (a Juvenile contempt citation is ~$38); the court serves the other party with notice of the hearing.
4. Prove it at the hearing. Present your evidence; the other party must show why they should not be held in contempt, and the court can order make-up time, fines, fees, or jail.

Ottawa County Practice Notes

• Contempt enforces an order — it doesn't change it. A contempt motion asks the court to make the other party comply with the existing order and can result in make-up parenting time, fines, attorney fees, or jail. If you actually need the order itself changed (different schedule, custody, or support amount), that is a post-decree modification, which is a separate motion with its own legal standard.
• Document the violations and verify support arrears. Bring dated proof of the violations — missed exchanges, denied parenting time, or a payment history. For unpaid support, verify the arrearage with the Ottawa County CSEA before the hearing so the amount you allege is accurate; the motion is sworn before a notary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do if the other parent violates our Ottawa County order?

If the other parent ignores a parenting-time, custody, or support order, you can file a motion for contempt asking the court to enforce it. In the Domestic Relations Division you file the Motion for Contempt with a Show Cause Order and Notice (Form 25); in the Juvenile Division you file the Juvenile contempt motion with a Show Cause Order. The motion is sworn, and the court sets a hearing where the other party must show why they should not be held in contempt. Penalties can include make-up parenting time, fines, attorney fees, or jail.

What does the Ottawa County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) do?

The Ottawa County CSEA establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support, and can establish parentage administratively and order genetic testing. Once support is ordered, CSEA collects it by automatic wage withholding and can enforce it through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. The court skill does not publish a current CSEA address, phone, or website, so confirm the agency's current contact information with the Clerk or the county before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to file a Juvenile Court case in Ottawa County?

The Probate & Juvenile Court charges a $150 deposit to file a custody, parenting-time (visitation), or support case. A consent judgment entry is about $50, a post-disposition motion is about $35, and a contempt citation is about $38. A Guardian ad Litem deposit is $1,200 plus 2%, an application for appointed counsel is $25, and mediation is $25 per party ($60 if you fail to appear). Confirm current amounts with the Juvenile Division at (419) 734-6840.

Do I file in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Ottawa County?

It depends on whether you were married to the other parent. If you are or were married, custody, parenting time, and support are decided in your divorce, dissolution, or legal separation in the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas, 315 Madison St., Port Clinton ((419) 734-6790, Judge Bruce Winters). If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and support are handled in the combined Probate & Juvenile Court at the same address ((419) 734-6840, Judge Frederick C. Hany II). Non-parent (grandparent or relative) custody is always filed in the Juvenile Division.

Free Local Resources in Ottawa County

• Ottawa County Clerk of Courts (Common Pleas / Domestic Relations). 315 Madison St., Room 106B, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Phone (419) 734-6755; filings email cpclerksfilings@co.ottawa.oh.us; website https://ottawacountyclerkofcourts.com/. The Clerk accepts divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, annulment, and protection-order filings and confirms current deposits. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
• Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Frederick C. Hany II). 315 Madison St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Juvenile Division (419) 734-6840; Probate Division (419) 734-6830; website https://www.ocpjcourt.com/. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents and non-parent custody, plus adoptions. Hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed noon–1:00 PM).
• Ottawa County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The county CSEA establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support and can establish parentage administratively. The court skill does not publish a current CSEA address, phone, or website — confirm the agency's current contact information with the Clerk or the county before relying on it.
• Parenting / coparenting education. Parents of minor children in a Domestic Relations case are generally expected to complete a parenting-education (coparenting) program. The court skill does not publish a current provider, format, or cost — confirm the required class, deadline, and fee with the Domestic Relations Division before filing.

Other Family-Law Topics in Ottawa County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Ottawa County custody attorney for help with your case.

Related to your contempt case

• Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.
• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Related guides

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

• 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.
• 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.

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