Enforcing Orders in Stark County

How do I file for contempt in Stark County, Ohio?

File the Stark County Family Court Contempt Documents packet at 110 Central Plaza South, Canton, OH 44702. Under Rule 15.05, the motion must include an affidavit identifying the violated order by filing date and specific paragraph, article, or section, with a copy of the order attached. A support-contempt affidavit states the claimed arrearage; a medical-expense contempt states the amount. The court can find a willful violator in contempt and impose fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, or jail.

Where to File: Stark County Family Court (Domestic Relations & Juvenile Divisions)

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• The other party is violating a custody, parenting time, or support order.
• You have a final order that clearly states what was required.
• You can document the specific dates and conduct that violated the order.
• Informal attempts to resolve the violation haven't worked.

Filing Fees

Contempt Documents packet filed with the Family Court · Enforcement may include fines, attorney fees, makeup time, or jail

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Stark County

1. Document the violation. Gather dates, messages, payment records, and a log showing exactly how the order was violated.
2. Complete the Contempt Documents packet. Prepare the motion and affidavit identifying the order by filing date and specific paragraph, with the order attached.
3. File with the Family Court and serve. File at 110 Central Plaza South, Canton, and serve the other party so they're ordered to appear and show cause.
4. Attend the hearing. Present your evidence. The court can impose fines, attorney fees, makeup parenting time, or jail for willful violations.

Stark County Practice Notes

• Be specific about each violation. Under Rule 15.05, the contempt affidavit must identify the violated order by filing date and specific paragraph, article, or section, with a copy of the order attached. Vague motions are hard to prove — keep a log of missed parenting time or payments and attach documentation.
• CSEA can enforce support in parallel. For unpaid support, Stark County CSEA can pursue wage withholding, license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals alongside your motion. Support is paid through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (Rule 18.04).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I file in the Domestic Relations or Juvenile Division in Stark County?

Stark County runs a combined Family Court — the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Divisions share one location at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton, and one main number, (330) 451-7415. The Domestic Relations Division (Judge Michelle L. Cordova) handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and the custody and support that travel with them for married parents. The Juvenile Division (Judge Rosemarie A. Hall) handles paternity and custody for never-married parents, plus grandparent / third-party custody. Six shared magistrates hear cases in both divisions.

How does child support enforcement work in Stark County?

Child-support orders run through the Stark County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Rule 18, a support order through CSEA requires a confidential Personal Identifier Form filed with the Clerk and CSEA, and the entry must state the payment amount plus a 2% processing fee, any arrearage and repayment, and the effective date. Support is paid through Ohio Child Support Payment Central unless cash is processed at Stark County CSEA. When support is modified or custody changes, counsel files a time-stamped copy with CSEA through the Clerk — the Clerk won't accept the order without the CSEA copy (Rule 18.03).

How much does it cost to file in Stark County?

Stark County Family Court deposits (effective March 17, 2025): Complaint for Divorce or Annulment $391 (add $50 for every 5 defendants beyond the first 4); Dissolution $371; Legal Separation $359; a counterclaim or cross-claim $251; reopening a closed case $273; a Custody Register Petition $313; a garnishment $50; and a new Juvenile complaint $307. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order takes no deposit. These are minimum deposits — total case costs vary. Pay the Stark County Clerk of Courts (checks payable to 'Stark County Clerk of Courts'); for a total-cost quote call (330) 451-7801.

What is a IV-D application and why do I need one?

A IV-D Application opens a child-support case with your county's Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Once opened, CSEA collects support through automatic wage withholding, distributes it to the receiving parent, and can enforce the order through license suspension, federal tax intercept, credit reporting, and contempt referrals. Filing a IV-D Application is standard whenever a child-support order is issued.

Free Local Resources in Stark County

• Stark County Family Court Help Desk. Free help for self-represented parties completing and reviewing divorce and custody forms, plus questions on court procedure and notary services. Mondays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., first come first served; check in with the reception bailiff in the lobby, (330) 451-7415. Help Desk attorneys do not represent you or give legal advice.
• Stark County Family Court — Court Filing Forms & Brochures. The court's assembled filing packets for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, contempt, and protection orders, hosted in the county Document Center at starkcountyohio.gov. The court notes the forms are a resource only and not a substitute for legal advice.
• Stark County Law Library. Public legal-research help at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 401, Canton, (330) 451-7380, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (DVPI). Shelter, advocacy, and support for those experiencing domestic violence in Stark County. Learn more at dvpi.org.

Other Family-Law Topics in Stark County

• Stark County Divorce — Full filing guide for contested divorce in the Stark County Family Court.
• Stark County Dissolution — Both-parties-agree route — faster and lower-conflict than a divorce.
• Stark County Custody — Married parents file inside divorce; never-married parents file a Juvenile complaint.

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.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Contempt guide — Statewide overview of post-decree contempt in Ohio.
• Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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.