Modifying a Scioto County Order

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

Scioto County, Ohio · Portsmouth

Life changes after a decree — incomes shift, a parent moves, a child's needs change. Scioto County lets you ask the court to modify custody, parenting time, or child support, but the legal standard depends on what you're changing. File the motion in the court that issued the original order.

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

File a motion to modify in the court that issued the order — the Domestic Relations Division ($130 reopened/post-decree deposit) or the Juvenile Division ($125 per child plus a $25 screen). Changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances plus best-interest findings under R.C. 3109.04(E). Adjusting only the parenting-time schedule uses the best-interest standard. A support change needs an updated Ohio child-support worksheet showing a qualifying change. The Mediation Fund adds $50 on a modification (DR Rule 8.13).

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: Scioto County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, OH 45662, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8316
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM)
Website: sciotocountydrcourt.com

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 Modifications is the right path if…

You already have a Scioto County (or transferred-in) order you need to change.
Circumstances have changed substantially since the last order.
You want to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or the support amount.
You can document the change with current financials, a parenting log, or other proof.

Filing Fees

DR reopened/post-decree deposit $130 · Juvenile reopen $125 per child plus a $25 drug/alcohol screen · Mediation Fund $50 on a modification · confirm amounts with the Clerk.

Forms & Filing Packets

Change the residential parent / custody — $130 DR post-decree · $125 per child in Juvenile (plus $25 screen)

Requires a change in circumstances plus best-interest findings under R.C. 3109.04(E) — the highest modification standard.

Hearing Request (Scioto County DR Form 1) — Scioto County's local form for placing a motion or contested matter on the DR Court's docket. Obtain the current version from the DR Court and confirm scheduling with the Clerk.
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.
Financial Disclosure Affidavit (Scioto County DR Form 5) — Scioto County's local financial-disclosure affidavit listing income, expenses, assets, and debts. Mandatory disclosure is due within 60 days under DR Rule 2.01. Obtain the current form from the DR Court and confirm requirements with the Clerk.

Change the parenting-time schedule — $130 DR post-decree · $125 per child in Juvenile (plus $25 screen)

Adjusting only the schedule (not the residential parent) uses the best-interest standard.

Hearing Request (Scioto County DR Form 1) — Scioto County's local form for placing a motion or contested matter on the DR Court's docket. Obtain the current version from the DR Court and confirm scheduling with the Clerk.
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.

Change child support — $130 DR post-decree · $125 per child in Juvenile (plus $25 screen)

File a motion to modify support with an updated worksheet, or request a CSEA administrative review.

Motion for Change of Child Support (Ohio SC Form 28) — The Ohio uniform motion to change child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances. File in the division that issued the order.
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.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Scioto County

Identify the issuing court. File your motion in the court that entered the order — the Domestic Relations Division or the Juvenile Division.
Pin down the standard. Custody change → change of circumstances + best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)); schedule change → best interest; support change → updated worksheet + qualifying change.
Prepare the motion and proof. File the motion with the supporting affidavits, an updated UCCJEA affidavit if parenting is at issue, and current financials or a child-support worksheet.
Pay the deposit. Pay the $130 DR post-decree deposit (or $125 per child plus the $25 screen in Juvenile). Ask about a fee waiver if needed.
Attend the hearing. Serve the other parent, attend any mediation or pretrial, and present your evidence; the court rules and enters the modified order.

Scioto County Practice Notes

The standard depends on what you change. Changing the residential parent is the hardest: R.C. 3109.04(E) requires a change in circumstances of the child or residential parent plus a finding that the change serves the child's best interest and that the benefit outweighs the harm. Adjusting only the parenting-time schedule uses the best-interest standard alone. Support modifications turn on an updated worksheet and a qualifying change of circumstances.
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.
Standard Parenting Time Order (DR Rule 9.0). Scioto County's Standard Parenting Time Order (DR Rule 9.0, effective 1/1/2016) gives the non-residential parent alternating weekends Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 6 p.m., an off-week Wednesday overnight, summer time alternating week-to-week with a 14-day exclusive block, and holidays alternating by odd/even year, with the receiving parent providing transportation. A 100-mile provision lets either parent seek a modified schedule when the parents live more than 100 miles apart.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.
What is the standard parenting-time schedule in Scioto County?: Scioto County's Standard Parenting Time Order (DR Rule 9.0, effective 1/1/2016) gives the non-residential parent alternating weekends from Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 6 p.m., an off-week Wednesday overnight, summer time alternating week-to-week with a 14-day exclusive block, and holidays alternating by odd/even year. A 100-mile provision lets either parent seek a modified schedule when the parents live more than 100 miles apart. The court can order a different schedule when the standard order does not serve the child's best interest.
How is child support calculated in Scioto County?: Scioto County uses Ohio's statewide 2024 Income Shares Model — there is no county formula. Run the official worksheet at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov using both parents' gross incomes, the parenting-time schedule, health-insurance premiums, and work-related child-care costs, then print and sign it. The Scioto County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), 710 Court Street, Portsmouth, opens the IV-D case, sets up wage withholding, and enforces collection. A deviation from the guideline amount requires statutory best-interest findings.

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).

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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