Enforcing an Order in Scioto County

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

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Scioto County Juvenile Court
602 7th St #201, Portsmouth, OH 45662, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8306
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM)

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• The other parent is violating a current court order.
• You can point to the exact order and term being broken.
• You have proof — pay records, a parenting-time log, or written messages.
• Informal efforts to resolve the violation haven't worked.

Filing Fees

DR reopened/post-decree deposit $130 · Juvenile reopen $125 per child plus a $25 screen · standard attorney-fee award up to $350 if contempt is found (DR Rule 2.08(E)(7)) · confirm amounts with the Clerk.

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Scioto County

1. Identify the order and violation. Pinpoint the exact order and term — a support amount, a parenting-time provision — that's being violated.
2. Gather proof. Collect pay records or a CSEA payment history for support, or a dated parenting-time log and messages for denied time.
3. Prepare the motion and show-cause order. File the contempt motion with a Contempt Notice and Order to Show Cause (DR Forms 8 and 9), including the statutory warning language.
4. File and pay the deposit. File in the court that issued the order and pay the $130 DR post-decree deposit (or the Juvenile reopen fee). Ask about a fee waiver if needed.
5. Attend the hearing. Serve the other party and present your proof. If the court finds contempt, it can order make-up time, payment of arrears, fines, jail, and up to $350 in attorney fees.

Scioto County Practice Notes

• Show-cause and statutory warning are required. A Scioto County contempt motion must be served with an Order to Show Cause and carry the statutory warning that contempt can result in jail, fines, and attorney fees. The motion must identify the specific order and term being violated. If the court finds contempt, it may award the standard attorney fee of up to $350 (DR Rule 2.08(E)(7)).
• DR filing deposit is $250 (post-decree $130). The Scioto County Domestic Relations Division deposit for a new divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment is $250, paid to the Clerk at filing (schedule eff. 1/1/2024). A reopened case or post-decree motion is $130. The Mediation Fund adds $40 at filing ($50 on a modification) under DR Rule 8.13. A Poverty Affidavit (DR Form 12) waives the deposit if you can't afford it. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division.
• CSEA calculates, collects, and enforces support. The Scioto County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), 710 Court Street, Portsmouth, opens the IV-D case, sets up automatic wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders through license suspension, tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals. Confirm the agency's current direct phone before calling. File a IV-D Application (DR Form 4) whenever a support order is established.

Frequently Asked Questions

My ex isn't following our order — how do I enforce it in Scioto County?

File a motion for contempt with a Contempt Notice and Order to Show Cause (DR Forms 8 and 9) in the existing case — Domestic Relations contempt in the DR Division, juvenile-order contempt in the Juvenile Division. The DR reopened/post-decree deposit is $130. The motion must identify the exact order violated and carry the statutory warning about possible jail, fines, and attorney fees. If the court finds contempt, it may award the standard attorney fee of up to $350 (DR Rule 2.08(E)(7)). Bring proof of each violation — pay records, a parenting-time log, or messages.

How much does it cost to change a custody, parenting-time, or support order in Scioto County?

In the Domestic Relations Division, a reopened case or post-decree motion takes a $130 deposit (Clerk schedule eff. 1/1/2024), and the Mediation Fund adds $50 on a modification (DR Rule 8.13). In the Juvenile Division, reopening a prior custody case is $125 per child plus the $25 drug/alcohol screen (Juv. Local Rule 2.1). File the motion in the court that issued the original order. Changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances plus best-interest findings under R.C. 3109.04(E); a schedule-only change uses the best-interest standard; a support change needs an updated worksheet. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk.

How much does it cost to file in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division?

The deposit for a new divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment is $250, paid to the Clerk of Courts at filing (Clerk fee schedule, rev. 1/1/2024). A reopened case or post-decree motion is $130. The Mediation Fund adds $40 at filing for divorce/dissolution/legal separation/paternity ($50 for a modification) under DR Rule 8.13, and a Guardian ad Litem deposit, when one is appointed, is $800 (DR Rules 1.06(E)/3.07(B)). A Poverty Affidavit (DR Form 12) or Affidavit of Indigency waives the deposit if you can't afford it. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's Legal Division (https://sciotoclerk.com/legal-division/) or the DR Division at (740) 355-8316 before filing.

Free Local Resources in Scioto County

• Scioto County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division. Provides the current Clerk fee schedule (rev. 1/1/2024), local forms, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, and custody cases. Visit https://sciotoclerk.com/legal-division/ before filing to confirm deposits and accepted payment methods.
• Scioto County Domestic Relations Division. The standalone DR court (Judge Jerry L. Buckler; Magistrate Robert M. Johnson) at 602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, (740) 355-8316 (fax (740) 355-8205). Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, parentage, custody, and support, and distributes the DR packets and local forms. Hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM). https://sciotocountydrcourt.com
• Scioto County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Scioto County's IV-D agency at 710 Court Street, Portsmouth, opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Confirm the agency's current direct phone. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
• "Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension. The court-approved 3-hour parenting-education seminar for parents with minor children, taken online at https://scponline.osu.edu (registered via DR Form 11). Complete it within 60 days and file the Certificate of Attendance before the final hearing (DR Rule 6.02).

Other Family-Law Topics in Scioto County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Scioto County custody attorney for help with your case.

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.

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