Enforcing Orders in Putnam County

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

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.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• The other party is clearly violating a written court order.
• You can point to the specific term that was disobeyed.
• Informal reminders haven't worked.
• You need the court (or CSEA) to compel compliance.

Filing Fees

CSEA enforcement of child support is free (567-376-3780) · contempt motion fees are set by the issuing Domestic Relations or Juvenile/Probate Court — confirm before filing

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Putnam County

1. Gather the order and the violations. Pull the order you're enforcing and document each violation — dates of missed parenting time, unpaid support amounts, or property not transferred.
2. File the contempt motion. File a Motion for Contempt with Affidavit (Ohio SC Form 24) in the court that issued the order. The court signs a Show Cause Order (Form 25) requiring the other party to appear.
3. Use the CSEA for unpaid support. For unpaid child support, the Putnam County CSEA at 567-376-3780 can enforce by wage withholding, often without a separate court filing.
4. Attend the hearing. At the hearing, the other party must explain why they should not be held in contempt. Remedies can include make-up parenting time, payment of arrears, fines, attorney fees, or jail.

Putnam County Practice Notes

• Be specific about the violated term. A contempt motion succeeds when you can show a clear court order, that the other party knew about it, and exactly how they disobeyed it. Attach the order and dates, missed payments, or missed exchanges. The court then issues a Show Cause Order (Form 25) requiring the other side to appear.
• Married goes to one judge; never-married usually goes to the other. Judge Schierloh's Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and the custody and support that ride along with them. Judge Borer's combined Juvenile/Probate Court hears custody for never-married parents, children-services cases, and adoption. Because the DR Division also advertises "child-custody disputes," confirm the division for a never-married case at (419) 523-3110 (DR) or (419) 523-3012 (Juvenile/Probate) before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do if the other parent violates a Putnam County order?

File a Motion for Contempt with Affidavit (Ohio SC Form 24) in the court that issued the order, describing exactly which term — parenting time, child support, property division, or spousal support — was violated. The court signs a Show Cause Order (Form 25) requiring the other party to appear and explain. Penalties can include make-up parenting time, payment of arrears, fines, attorney fees, or jail. For unpaid child support, the CSEA at 567-376-3780 can also enforce by wage withholding.

What does the Putnam County CSEA do?

The Putnam County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), at 567-376-3780, can establish paternity (with free genetic testing), set or review a child-support amount by administrative order, and enforce orders through wage withholding. Payments run through Ohio Child Support Payment Central, which charges a 2% processing fee. CSEA services are free to the applicant; you do not need a court case to open one.

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.

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

File in the division that issued the order. To change custody, file a Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 27); you must show a change in circumstances plus a best-interest finding (R.C. 3109.04(E)). To change parenting time, file a Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Ohio SC Form 26) — a lower standard. To change child support, file a Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) or ask the CSEA at 567-376-3780 for an administrative review. Confirm the current filing fee with the issuing court 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 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.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
• Toledo family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Toledo metro.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.