Modifying Orders in Pike County

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

Pike County, Ohio · Waverly

Life changes after a case ends — incomes shift, children's needs change, and parents move. In Pike County, you change a custody, parenting-time, or support order by filing the matching motion in the court that issued it: the General Division for divorce/dissolution orders, the Juvenile Court for never-married cases.

How do I change a custody, parenting-time, or support order in Pike County?

File the matching motion in the court that issued the order. For a Juvenile Court order, use the court's Motion to Change Parental Rights, Motion to Change Parenting Time, or Motion to Change Child Support with an updated worksheet (deposit $128). For a divorce or dissolution order, file a post-decree motion in the General Division and confirm the deposit with the Clerk at (740) 947-2212. A change of custody requires a change of circumstances and that the change serve the children's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)); a support change generally requires a substantial change, often a 10% swing in the calculated amount.

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)

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

You already have a final custody, parenting-time, or support order.
Something substantial has changed since the order was entered.
The change you want is in the children's best interest.
You can document the change of circumstances with evidence.

Filing Fees

Juvenile Court modification motions carry a $128 deposit; General Division post-decree deposits are set by the Clerk. Confirm current amounts with the Juvenile Court at (740) 947-5914 or the General Division Clerk at (740) 947-2212.

Forms & Filing Packets

Change custody or parenting time — Juvenile motion deposit $128 · General Division post-decree deposit set by the Clerk

In a Juvenile case, file the Motion to Change Parental Rights or Motion to Change Parenting Time with the UCCJEA affidavit. For a divorce order, file a post-decree motion in the General Division.

Motion to Change Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Custody) — Asks the Juvenile Court to reallocate custody after a change of circumstances under R.C. 3109.04(E).
Motion to Change Parenting Time — Asks the Juvenile Court to change an existing parenting-time order after a change of circumstances.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Request for Service — Tells the Clerk how to serve the other party (certified mail, sheriff, or process server).

Change child support — Juvenile motion deposit $128 · General Division post-decree deposit set by the Clerk

File the Motion to Change Child Support (or Juvenile Form SU2.0) with an updated Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet in the court that issued the order.

Motion to Change Child Support — Asks the Juvenile Court to modify an existing child-support order using an updated worksheet.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you ask the court to set or change support.
Affidavit Supporting Motion (Form SU8.0) — The sworn financial statement filed with a support establishment or modification motion.
Pike County Juvenile Court forms library — The Juvenile Court's complete form library (custody, parenting time, child support, contempt, and grandparent forms). Confirm you have the current version before filing.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Pike County

File in the issuing court. Use the General Division for divorce/dissolution orders and the Juvenile Court for never-married cases.
Pick the right motion. Use the Juvenile Court's change-of-custody, change-of-parenting-time, or change-of-support form, or a General Division post-decree motion.
Attach updated financials. A support change must include an updated Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet and a financial affidavit.
Prove the change. Document the change of circumstances and explain why the new order serves the children's best interest.

Pike County Practice Notes

Custody changes need a change of circumstances. Under R.C. 3109.04(E), a court will not change the residential parent unless there has been a change in the circumstances of the child or residential parent and the change is in the child's best interest. Parenting-time changes use a lower standard than custody changes.
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.
One court hears every divorce — the General Division. Pike County has no separate Domestic Relations Division. Divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, and adult civil protection orders are all heard in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Hon. Rob Junk), 100 East Second Street, Waverly; (740) 947-2212. The Domestic Assignment Commissioner, Gayle Johnson, handles domestic scheduling at the same number.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a Pike County custody, parenting time, or support order?: File the matching motion in the court that issued the order. For a Juvenile Court order, use the court's Motion to Change Parental Rights, Motion to Change Parenting Time, or Motion to Change Child Support with an updated worksheet (deposit $128). For a divorce/dissolution order, file a post-decree motion in the General Division — confirm the deposit with the Clerk at (740) 947-2212. A custody change requires a change of circumstances under R.C. 3109.04(E).
Do I have to tell the court before I move with my child in Pike County?: Usually yes. Ohio law (R.C. 3109.051(G)) generally requires the residential parent to file a Notice of Intent to Relocate with the court that issued the parenting order. The court sends notice to the other parent, who can ask for a hearing and a change to the parenting-time schedule. File the notice in the court that issued your order and confirm the procedure with that court before you move.
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 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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