Changing an Order in Shelby County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 15, 2026

Shelby County, Ohio · Sidney

After a divorce, dissolution, or legal-separation decree, later changes stay in the same case under the court's continuing jurisdiction. A Motion for Modification of Parental Rights and Responsibilities is set for a Scheduling Conference upon filing; all other post-decree motions are set for hearing upon filing (Local DR Rule 6). Never-married parents file the matching motion in the Shelby County Juvenile Court.

How do I change a custody or support order in Shelby County, Ohio?

File a post-decree motion in the court that issued the order — the Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division for married/divorced parents, or the Shelby County Juvenile Court for never-married parents. To change custody, Ohio (R.C. 3109.04(E)) requires a change of circumstances since the last order plus a finding that the change serves the children's best interest. To change support, file a motion with a fresh Ohio child-support worksheet (Local DR Rule 11); to change a CSEA-administered order, request an administrative review through the agency. A residential parent who plans to move must first file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)). Parties may also modify a prior order by an agreed consent entry, subject to Magistrate/Judge approval (Local DR Rule 10).

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: Shelby County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

100 E. Court Street, 3rd Floor, Sidney, OH 45365
Phone: (937) 498-7221
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Friday, 8:30 AM–Noon
Website: co.shelby.oh.us/229/Common-Pleas-Court

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Shelby County Juvenile Court
100 E. Court Street, 2nd Floor, Sidney, OH 45365
Phone: (937) 498-7255
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

There has been a real change of circumstances since your last order.
You need to change custody, the parenting-time schedule, or child support going forward.
A residential parent is planning to move and a relocation notice is required.
You have a final order from a Shelby County court (or a registered out-of-state order).

Filing Fees

Domestic Relations post-decree motions carry a cost deposit set by the Clerk · Juvenile motions carry a $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4) · Outstanding Juvenile court costs must be paid before reopening · A child-support worksheet is required for any support change (Local DR Rule 11) · Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 498-7221

Forms & Filing Packets

Change custody after a Juvenile order (never-married parents) — $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4)

File the Juvenile motion to reallocate custody on a change of circumstances.

Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Custody) — Asks the Shelby County Juvenile Court to change custody after a prior juvenile order, on a change of circumstances.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA. Required in any case involving minor children.

Change support after a Juvenile order — $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4)

File the Juvenile support motion with a fresh worksheet.

Motion for Change of Child Support / Medical Support / Tax Exemption / Other Child-Related Expenses — The Juvenile Court motion to recalculate child support, medical support, or the tax exemption after a change of circumstances.
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.

Change parenting time after a Juvenile order — $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4)

File the Juvenile motion to change parenting time / companionship.

Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Companionship and Visitation) — Changes a juvenile parenting-time / companionship order for never-married parents.

Change support after a divorce/dissolution (married parents) — Cost deposit set by the Clerk (General Division Local Rule 3 — confirm the current amount at (937) 498-7221)

File a post-decree motion in the Domestic Relations case with a fresh worksheet.

Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.

Relocation notice

A residential parent planning to move files a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)).

Shelby County Juvenile Court — General Forms Page — Grandparent Caretaker Authorization Affidavit & Power of Attorney, Notice of Intent to Relocate, financial disclosure, and other juvenile forms.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Shelby County

Identify the issuing court. File in the court that issued the order — the Domestic Relations Division for married/divorced parents, or the Shelby County Juvenile Court for never-married parents.
Show a change of circumstances. For custody, document a change of circumstances since the last order. For support, run a fresh Ohio child-support worksheet.
File the right motion. Use the Juvenile motion for custody, support, or parenting time as applicable, or a Domestic Relations post-decree motion, and pay the deposit.
File a relocation notice if moving. If a residential parent is moving, file a Notice of Intent to Relocate before the move so the court can address the parenting orders.
Attend the conference or hearing. A modification of parental rights is set for a Scheduling Conference; other post-decree motions are set for hearing upon filing (Local DR Rule 6).

Shelby County Practice Notes

Changing custody requires a change of circumstances. Ohio (R.C. 3109.04(E)) requires both a change of circumstances since the last order and a finding that changing the residential parent serves the children's best interest. A disagreement alone is not enough — bring specific facts.
Relocation needs advance notice. A residential parent who intends to move from the address in the judgment entry must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)); the court may set a hearing. The juvenile relocation form is on the Juvenile Court's general forms page.
Consent entries can avoid a hearing. Parties may modify a prior order by an agreed consent entry with the appropriate forms, without a motion or hearing, subject to Magistrate/Judge approval (Local DR Rule 10). Prevailing counsel prepares the judgment entry within 7 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a custody or parenting order in Shelby County?: File a post-decree motion in the court that issued the order. Married/divorced parents file in the Domestic Relations Division; never-married parents use the Juvenile Court's Motion for Change of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (custody) or Motion for Change of Parenting Time. A modification of parental rights is set for a Scheduling Conference; other post-decree motions are set for hearing upon filing (Local DR Rule 6).
What do I have to prove to change custody in Shelby County?: Ohio (R.C. 3109.04(E)) requires a change of circumstances since the last order plus a finding that changing the residential parent serves the children's best interest. A disagreement alone is not enough — bring specific facts.
What does it cost to re-open a case after the decree in Shelby County?: A Domestic Relations post-decree motion carries a cost deposit set by the Clerk (General Division Local Rule 3). A Juvenile post-judgment motion carries the $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4), and outstanding Juvenile court costs must be paid before a case is reopened. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 498-7221.
Do I need permission to move with my child in Shelby County?: A residential parent who intends to move from the address in the judgment entry must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)) first; the court may set a hearing. The juvenile relocation form is on the Shelby County Juvenile Court's general forms page.

Free Local Resources in Shelby County

Shelby County Clerk of Courts. Handles Domestic Relations filings and provides local DR forms and instructions. Filings are the original plus 4 copies (Local DR Rule 4); e-filing per General Division Local Rule 39. Call (937) 498-7221 to confirm the current cost deposit and packet requirements before filing.
Shelby County Juvenile Court (Probate & Juvenile). Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus non-parent custody. Forms by matter at shelbycoprobate.org/shelby-county-juvenile-court/; (937) 498-7255. Every juvenile filing carries a $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4).
Catholic Social Services — Parenting Seminar. Provides the court-ordered "Shield Your Child from Conflict" parenting seminar (Local DR Rule 13) at 100 South Main Street, Suite 101, Sidney. Register by phone or in person at (937) 498-4593; fee-waiver requests go directly to Catholic Social Services.
Shelby County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 227 South Ohio Avenue, Sidney; (937) 498-4981 (toll-free 800-561-5548). Establishes paternity and support, modifies and enforces orders, and processes payments through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (2% administrative fee).

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.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
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