Emergency & Temporary Custody in Putnam County

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

Putnam County, Ohio · Ottawa

While a divorce, dissolution, or legal-separation case is pending, either parent can ask the court for temporary orders about custody, parenting time, support, or use of the home so the family has clear rules before the final decree. For an urgent child-safety situation, the court can issue an ex parte (emergency) order on the affidavits when the danger is immediate. Never-married parents bring emergency custody to the Juvenile/Probate Court.

How do I get emergency or temporary custody in Putnam County, Ohio?

Inside a pending divorce, dissolution, or legal-separation case, file the Local Rule 16 temporary-orders affidavit — the parties' and children's details, wages, and child-care costs — and Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days of filing, with only one 7-day continuance. For a genuine child-safety emergency, the court can issue an ex parte order on the affidavits under Civ.R. 75, but only when an affidavit shows an immediate risk of harm; otherwise no ex parte order issues. If the parents were never married, file in the Juvenile/Probate Court at (419) 523-3012. If the danger is family violence, a protection order may fit. For immediate danger call 911; to report concern for a child, call Putnam County Job & Family Services at 567-376-3777.

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: Putnam County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875
Phone: (419) 523-3110
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: putnamcountyohio.gov/courts/common-pleas-court/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Putnam County Juvenile & Probate Court
245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875
Phone: (419) 523-3012
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Emergency Custody is the right path if…

You have a divorce, dissolution, or custody case pending (or are filing one now).
You need custody, parenting time, support, or use of the home decided before the final order.
There is an urgent child-safety concern requiring an ex parte order.
You want temporary stability while the case works toward a final decree.

Filing Fees

Temporary-orders and ex parte filing fees are set by the court — confirm with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110 · poverty-affidavit waiver available · in a true emergency call 911; report child-safety concerns to Putnam County Job & Family Services at 567-376-3777

Forms & Filing Packets

Temporary orders while the case is pending — Confirm the temporary-orders fee with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110

File the Local Rule 16 temporary-orders affidavit so the court can set temporary custody, parenting time, support, or use of the home. Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days of filing, with only one 7-day continuance allowed.

Putnam County Rule 16 Temporary-Orders Affidavit — The county's Local Rule 16 affidavit for temporary support and parenting orders — the parties' and children's details, wages, and child-care costs. Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days of filing.
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).
Putnam County Parenting Affidavit — The county's parenting/UCCJEA affidavit listing where each child has lived and with whom. Filed with the complaint in any case involving minor children.

Ex parte (emergency) custody — Confirm the temporary-orders fee with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110

For an immediate child-safety situation, ask for an ex parte order under Civ.R. 75; the court can rule on the affidavits quickly when the affidavit shows an immediate risk of harm, with a prompt follow-up hearing. In a true emergency call 911; report child-safety concerns to Putnam County Job & Family Services at 567-376-3777.

Putnam County Rule 16 Temporary-Orders Affidavit — The county's Local Rule 16 affidavit for temporary support and parenting orders — the parties' and children's details, wages, and child-care costs. Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days of filing.
Putnam County Parenting Affidavit — The county's parenting/UCCJEA affidavit listing where each child has lived and with whom. Filed with the complaint in any case involving minor children.

How to File Emergency Custody in Putnam County

Confirm a case is pending. Temporary orders are part of a pending divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, or Juvenile custody case — file or open the underlying case if you haven't already.
Prepare the Rule 16 affidavit. Complete the Local Rule 16 temporary-orders affidavit with the parties' and children's details, wages, and child-care costs, plus the Parenting (UCCJEA) affidavit.
File and request ex parte relief if urgent. File at the Clerk of Courts; the hearing is set within 14 days. For a genuine child-safety emergency, ask the court for an ex parte order on the affidavits under Civ.R. 75.
Attend the hearing. If an ex parte order issues, attend the prompt follow-up hearing where both sides present evidence; temporary orders stay in place until the final decree replaces them.

Putnam County Practice Notes

Temporary orders run on a 14-day clock. If you need temporary support or a parenting schedule while a case is pending, file the Local Rule 16 temporary-orders affidavit (parties' and children's details, wages, and child-care costs). Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days of filing and allows only one 7-day continuance — no further delays. The order lasts until the final decree replaces it.
Ex parte relief is for genuine emergencies. Under Civ.R. 75 the court can issue an ex parte order — decided without the other side present — only when an affidavit shows an immediate risk of harm; otherwise no ex parte order issues. A prompt follow-up hearing gives both sides a chance to be heard, and temporary orders last until the final decree replaces them. If the parents were never married, the emergency request belongs in the Juvenile/Probate Court at (419) 523-3012.
Filing a divorce automatically restrains both spouses. Under Local Rule 16, a Temporary Standard Order takes effect the moment a divorce is filed and served: neither spouse may remove the children from the court's jurisdiction, harass the other, or dissipate property. The Clerk attaches it to the summons. It lasts until the final decree replaces it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get emergency or temporary custody in Putnam County?: Inside a pending divorce, dissolution, or legal-separation case, file the Local Rule 16 temporary-orders affidavit; Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days. For a genuine child-safety emergency, the court can issue an ex parte order on the affidavits under Civ.R. 75 only when an affidavit shows an immediate risk of harm. If the parents were never married, an emergency custody request belongs in the Juvenile/Probate Court at (419) 523-3012. If the danger is family violence, a protection order may fit. For immediate danger, call 911; to report concern for a child, call Putnam County Job & Family Services at 567-376-3777.
How do I get temporary support or a temporary parenting schedule in Putnam County?: File the Local Rule 16 temporary-orders affidavit — the parties' and children's details, wages, and child-care costs — inside your pending divorce, dissolution, or legal-separation case. Putnam sets the hearing within 14 days of filing and allows only one 7-day continuance. The temporary order lasts until the final decree replaces it. For a genuine child-safety emergency, the court can issue an ex parte order on the affidavits under Civ.R. 75; otherwise no ex parte order issues.
How fast can I get a protection order in Putnam County?: The court can issue a temporary ex parte protection order the same day if an affidavit shows an immediate risk of harm. A full hearing follows in about 7–10 days, where both sides are heard, and a final order can last up to five years. A protection order stands on its own, separate from any divorce or custody case.
Do I file custody in Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court in Putnam County?: If you are married to (or were married to) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided inside your divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in the Domestic Relations Division (Judge Schierloh), filed through the Clerk of Courts at (419) 523-3110. If you were never married, paternity and custody are handled by the combined Juvenile/Probate Court (Judge Borer) at (419) 523-3012. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are filed in the Juvenile/Probate Court. Because the DR Division also advertises child-custody disputes, confirm the division for a never-married case before filing.

Free Local Resources in Putnam County

Putnam County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Provides current filing fees, the county's Domestic Relations forms, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment. File in person or by mail at 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, or by fax/email (20 pages or fewer; $3 per transmission plus $1 per page) to (419) 523-5284 / cpefile@putnamcountyohio.gov. Call (419) 523-3110.
Putnam County Juvenile & Probate Court. Handles custody, parentage, and parenting time for never-married parents, non-parent custody, children-services cases, and adoption. Confirm its local forms and filing fees at (419) 523-3012.
Putnam County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Establishes paternity with free genetic testing, sets and reviews support administratively, and enforces orders by wage withholding. Payments run through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (2% processing fee). Call 567-376-3780.
Putnam County Pro Se Clinic (with Legal Aid of Western Ohio). A free instructional session on divorce, dissolution, and custody — educational, not legal representation. Schedule it at (419) 523-6200.
Putnam County Job & Family Services. Report concerns about a child's safety at 567-376-3777. In an immediate emergency, call 911.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official 2024 Income Shares worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.

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Ohio Emergency Custody guide — Statewide overview of emergency custody in Ohio.
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