Emergency Custody in Pike County

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

Pike County, Ohio · Waverly

When a child faces immediate danger, Pike County courts can act quickly. Depending on your situation, you can ask the Juvenile Court for a temporary custody order, ask the General Division for temporary orders inside a divorce, or seek a domestic-violence protection order that grants temporary custody.

How do I get emergency custody in Pike County, Ohio?

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first. To ask a court to act, file the Juvenile Court's Motion for Temporary Custody (Form CU3.0) with the supporting Affidavit (Form CU3.1) in a parentage/custody case, or ask the General Division for temporary orders under Civ. R. 75(N) inside a divorce. A domestic-violence civil protection order (filed in the General Division, no fee) can also grant temporary custody and exclusive use of the home. The court reviews the sworn facts and can issue an order quickly when the child's safety requires it.

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: Pike County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

100 East Second Street, Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 947-2212
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk of Courts at (740) 947-2212 to confirm current hours)
Website: commonpleascourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Pike County Juvenile Court (Common Pleas, Juvenile Division)
230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600, Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 947-5914
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–1:00 p.m. for lunch and on legal holidays)

Emergency Custody is the right path if…

A child faces immediate risk of harm or neglect.
You need a custody order faster than the normal case timeline.
You can swear to specific facts showing the danger.
You have or will open an underlying custody, divorce, or protection-order case.

Filing Fees

Emergency/temporary custody is filed within an existing case — a Juvenile Court case ($128 deposit) or a divorce in the General Division (deposit set by the Clerk). A domestic-violence civil protection order has no filing fee. Confirm details with the Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914 or the General Division at (740) 947-2212.

Forms & Filing Packets

Emergency custody in the Juvenile Court — Filed within the Juvenile case (deposit $128) — confirm with the court at (740) 947-5914

File the Motion for Temporary Custody (Form CU3.0) with the supporting Affidavit (Form CU3.1) and proposed Temporary Custody Order (Form CU3.2) in your Juvenile Court parentage/custody case.

Motion for Temporary Custody (Form CU3.0) — Asks the Juvenile Court for a temporary custody order while a parentage/custody case is pending.
Affidavit in Support of Temporary Custody (Form CU3.1) — The sworn statement of facts supporting an emergency/temporary custody request.
Temporary Custody Order (Form CU3.2) — The proposed order the magistrate or judge signs to grant temporary custody.

Temporary orders inside a divorce — Filed within the divorce — confirm any deposit with the Clerk at (740) 947-2212

Ask the General Division for temporary orders under Civ. R. 75(N), attaching a current financial affidavit, to set temporary custody and parenting time while the divorce is pending.

Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach a current Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) and Affidavit 2 (Property).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Pike County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — The General Division (Hon. Rob Junk) hears all Pike County divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, and adult protection orders. Call the Clerk at (740) 947-2212 to confirm the current filing deposit, accepted payment methods, and number of copies before filing.

How to File Emergency Custody in Pike County

Protect the child first. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 before anything else.
Choose the right path. Use the Juvenile Court for never-married parents, the General Division for a divorce, or a protection order for family-violence situations.
File the sworn motion. File the temporary-custody motion with a detailed supporting affidavit describing the danger.
Attend the hearing. The court may grant a short-term order, then set a prompt hearing where both sides can be heard.

Pike County Practice Notes

Swear to specific facts. Emergency requests rise or fall on the affidavit. Describe concrete, recent events showing the child is in danger — vague concerns are not enough for the court to act on short notice.
A protection order can grant temporary custody. If the danger involves a family or household member, a domestic-violence civil protection order (R.C. 3113.31), filed in the General Division at no cost, can include temporary custody and exclusive use of the home while the order is in effect.
Juvenile Court filing deposit. The Pike County Juvenile Court charges a $128.00 deposit to file a custody/parentage complaint, a motion to reopen, or a child-support complaint. Confirm the current amount and accepted payment methods with the Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914; an indigency (fee-waiver) form is available if you cannot afford the deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get emergency custody in Pike County?: If a child is in immediate danger, you can ask the court for an emergency/temporary custody order. In a Juvenile Court parentage case, file the Motion for Temporary Custody (Form CU3.0) with the supporting Affidavit (Form CU3.1). In a divorce, ask the General Division for temporary orders under Civ. R. 75(N). A domestic-violence civil protection order can also grant temporary custody. Call 911 first if a child is in danger right now.
Can a Pike County protection order give me temporary custody?: Yes. A domestic-violence civil protection order in Pike County can include temporary custody of the children and exclusive use of the home as part of its safety terms. That custody order lasts while the protection order is in effect, but longer-term custody is decided in a divorce, dissolution, or Juvenile Court parentage case.
How much does it cost to file in the Pike County Juvenile Court?: The Pike County Juvenile Court charges a $128.00 deposit to file a custody/parentage complaint, a motion to reopen, or a child-support complaint. Confirm the current amount and payment methods with the Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914; an indigency (fee-waiver) form is available if you cannot afford the deposit.
Which Pike County court handles my family-law case?: If you are or were married to the other parent, file your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or protection order in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Hon. Rob Junk), 100 East Second Street, Waverly; (740) 947-2212. Pike County has no separate Domestic Relations Division. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support are handled by the combined Pike County Juvenile & Probate Court (Hon. Paul Price), 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600; (740) 947-5914.

Free Local Resources in Pike County

Pike County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations). Pike County Courthouse, 100 East Second Street, Waverly, OH 45690; (740) 947-2212. Accepts all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and DV civil protection order filings — the General Division hears every domestic relations matter (there is no separate Domestic Relations court). The General Division's filing-fee deposits are not published online; call (740) 947-2212 to confirm the current deposit, accepted payment methods, and any local cover-sheet requirement before filing.
Pike County Juvenile & Probate Court. Pike County Government Center, 230 Waverly Plaza, Suite 600, Waverly, OH 45690. Juvenile (unmarried-parent custody, parentage, support, parenting time): (740) 947-5914, http://www.pikecountypjcourt.com/juvMain.php — the custody/support filing deposit is $128.00 (http://www.pikecountypjcourt.com/juvCosts.php). Probate (stepparent and kinship adoption): (740) 947-2560, http://www.pikecountypjcourt.com/prbMain.php. The Honorable Paul Price serves as Judge and Clerk of both divisions.
Parenting education (confirm before relying on it). Ohio law (R.C. 3109.053) lets the court order a parenting class when a case involves minor children. Pike County's program, provider, cost, and deadline are not published online — ask the General Division Clerk at (740) 947-2212 (divorce/dissolution) or Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914 (unmarried parents) which provider is approved and the current cost before you register for any course.
Pike County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Pike County child-support services are administered through Pike County Job & Family Services. The Juvenile Court does not run child-support enforcement — confirm the current CSEA phone and address with the agency before relying on a number. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
Child abuse / neglect reporting. Statewide hotline 1-855-O-H-CHILD (1-855-642-4453), which routes to the county Children Services agency. Confirm the direct Pike County Children Services intake line locally.

Related to your emergency custody case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Grandparents' Rights — Seek visitation or custody when it serves the child's best interest.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

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

Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.
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.
Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.

Keep exploring

Ohio Emergency Custody guide — Statewide overview of emergency custody in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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