Perry County Contempt & Enforcement Attorneys

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

Perry County, Ohio · New Lexington

When the other party ignores a custody, parenting-time, or support order, a contempt motion asks the court to enforce it. In Perry County a General Division contempt is filed with the Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) and the Show Cause Order (Form 25.0); the post-decree deposit is $130.

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How do I enforce a court order through contempt in Perry County, Ohio?

File a Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) in the court that issued the order, with the Show Cause Order and Notice (Form 25.0) directing the other party to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt. State exactly which order was violated and how. The General Division post-decree deposit is $130. If the court finds contempt, it can order make-up parenting time, a payment plan or purge conditions for support arrears, attorney fees, and other relief; willful violations can carry jail time. Support enforcement may also run through the Perry County Child Support Division (CSEA), (740) 342-2278.

Enforce a Perry County order through Gavvl Law

When the other party ignores a custody, parenting-time, or support order, a contempt motion asks the Perry County court to enforce it. A General Division contempt is filed with the Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) and the Show Cause Order and Notice (Form 25.0) at a $130 post-decree deposit. Gavvl Law documents each violation, drafts the motion the court will act on, and represents you at the show-cause hearing on a flat fee.

A motion tied to specific violations. Contempt turns on proof, so we pair the Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) with the Show Cause Order (Form 25.0) and lay out exactly which order was violated and how — missed exchanges, denied parenting time, or unpaid support — so the court can act.
Real remedies at the hearing. If the court finds contempt it can order make-up parenting time, purge conditions or a payment plan for arrears, attorney fees, and, for willful violations, jail. We ask for the relief that actually fixes the problem rather than a warning that changes nothing.
Support arrears pursued two ways. Unpaid support can be enforced by contempt and through the Perry County Child Support Division (CSEA) at (740) 342-2278, which collects by wage withholding and other tools. We use both levers where doing so helps you recover what is owed.

The General Division post-decree deposit is $130, and an indigency affidavit reduces it to $25 if the cost is a barrier to enforcing your order. We file the contempt correctly the first time and set one flat fee approved up front, with payment plans, so holding the other side accountable stays affordable.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the motion for contempt / show cause to enforce an order the other party is violating. You appear at any hearing.

Contempt (single issue): $950
Contempt (multiple issues): $1,450

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your contempt case or see payment plans & financing.

Where to File: Perry County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

105 N. Main Street, New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1022
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Local Rule 2)
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court
105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 167, New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1118
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

The other parent is violating a court order (withholding the children or not paying support).
You have a clear, current order that is being disobeyed.
You have tried to resolve it and need the court to enforce the order.
You can document the specific violations.

Filing Fees

$130 General Division post-decree deposit · CSEA support enforcement at (740) 342-2278 · indigency affidavit reduces the deposit to $25 · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022

Forms & Filing Packets

Enforce custody / parenting time — $130 post-decree deposit

File the Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) with the Show Cause Order (Form 25.0), describing each missed or denied parenting period.

Motion for Contempt (Perry Form 24.0) — Used to enforce a parenting or support order when the other party won't comply. Filed with the Show Cause Order.
Show Cause Order & Notice (Perry Form 25.0) — Accompanies the Motion for Contempt and orders the other party to appear and show why they should not be held in contempt.
General Division Forms Page (Perry County Common Pleas) — The General Division's central forms page. The General Division of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court.

Enforce child support — $130 post-decree deposit

File the Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) with the Show Cause Order (Form 25.0) for unpaid support; CSEA can also enforce arrears through wage withholding and other tools.

Motion for Contempt (Perry Form 24.0) — Used to enforce a parenting or support order when the other party won't comply. Filed with the Show Cause Order.
Show Cause Order & Notice (Perry Form 25.0) — Accompanies the Motion for Contempt and orders the other party to appear and show why they should not be held in contempt.
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 Post-Decree Contempt in Perry County

Confirm the order and the violation. Identify the exact order that was violated and document each violation (missed exchanges, unpaid support).
Prepare the contempt motion. Complete the Motion for Contempt (Form 24.0) and the Show Cause Order and Notice (Form 25.0).
File with the $130 deposit. File in the court that issued the order and pay the $130 post-decree deposit (or file an indigency affidavit).
Serve the other party. The Show Cause Order is served, ordering the other party to appear and explain the violation.
Attend the hearing. If the court finds contempt, it can order make-up time, purge conditions, attorney fees, or jail for willful violations.

Perry County Practice Notes

No separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the General Division of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas — there is no separate Domestic Relations division. Judge Tina M. Boyer presides, with Magistrate / Court Administrator Jamie Farmer. File through the Clerk of Courts, 105 N. Main St. / P.O. Box 67, New Lexington 43764, (740) 342-1022.
Support runs through the Perry County Child Support Division. Child support is calculated under Ohio's 2024 Income Shares model and established, calculated, collected, and enforced through the Perry County Child Support Division (CSEA), (740) 342-2278. Support tied to a divorce/dissolution is ordered in the General Division; support for never-married parents is ordered in the Juvenile Court.
Fee waiver if you can't afford the deposit. File an indigency (poverty) affidavit with your case. In the General Division the deposit is then reduced to $25; the Juvenile Court waives its deposit on a poverty affidavit. Confirm the current procedure with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022 (General Division) or (740) 342-1118 (Juvenile).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to reopen or modify a Perry County divorce order?: Per the General Division Clerk's schedule, a post-decree matter (a motion to modify custody, parenting time, or support, or to enforce an order) is a $130 deposit. An out-of-state money judgment is filed as a Foreign Judgment for $90. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022.
How is child support handled in Perry County?: Child support is calculated under Ohio's 2024 Income Shares model and is established, calculated, collected, and enforced through the Perry County Child Support Division (CSEA) at (740) 342-2278. Support tied to a divorce or dissolution is ordered in the General Division; support for never-married parents is ordered in the Juvenile Court as part of a parentage/custody case.
Which court handles family-law cases in Perry County?: The General Division of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas (105 N. Main St., New Lexington) hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court. The Probate & Juvenile Court (also 105 N. Main St.) handles unmarried-parent parentage, custody, support, and parenting time (Juvenile, under R.C. 2151.23) and adoptions (Probate). Domestic-relations cases are filed through the Clerk of Courts at (740) 342-1022.
Can I file in Perry County without paying the full deposit?: Yes, if you cannot afford it. File an indigency (poverty) affidavit with your case; the General Division deposit is then reduced to $25, and the Juvenile Court waives its deposit on a poverty affidavit. Confirm the current procedure with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022 (General Division) or (740) 342-1118 (Juvenile).

Free Local Resources in Perry County

Perry County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations). Clerk Wes Harlan, 105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 67, New Lexington, OH 43764; (740) 342-1022, fax (740) 342-5527. Files all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases. Forms at https://pccommonpleas.com/forms.php; e-file through the Henschen portal at https://efile.henschen.com/. The General Division (Judge Tina M. Boyer) hears all domestic-relations matters — there is no separate Domestic Relations court. The Clerk cannot give legal advice or fill out forms. Confirm current deposits before filing.
“Successful Co-Parenting” parenting class (OSU Extension, Perry County). 104 S. Columbus Street, Somerset, OH 43783; (740) 743-1602 (https://perry.osu.edu/). Required under Local Rule 17(4) for any divorce or dissolution with children under 18. Fee $25 cash, pre-register at least one week ahead. Attend after the answer date in a divorce, or before the final hearing in a dissolution. OSU Extension sends proof of completion directly to the court. Confirm the current schedule and fee when registering.
Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court. Judge Luann Cooperrider, 105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 167, New Lexington, OH 43764 (https://perrycountyohio.gov/law-courts/perry-county-ohio-probate-and-juvenile-court/). Juvenile (740) 342-1118; Paternity/Custody Division (740) 342-5520; Probate (740) 342-1493. Hears unmarried-parent paternity, custody, parenting time, and non-parent custody (Juvenile) and adoptions (Probate), using the Supreme Court of Ohio standardized forms.
Perry County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). (740) 342-2278. Perry County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs automatic wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. File a IV-D Application whenever support is established or modified.
Perry County Job & Family Services / Children Services. (740) 342-3551. Investigates abuse, neglect, and dependency referrals and can file complaints in Juvenile Court. Statewide child-abuse hotline: 1-855-O-H-CHILD (1-855-642-4453).

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.