Post-Decree Modifications in Summit County

How do I modify a custody or support order in Summit County, Ohio?

File a post-decree motion at the Summit DR Court, 205 South High Street, Akron, for $240. To change the residential parent, use the Motion for Change of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Form 27) — you must show a change in circumstances, that the change serves the child's best interest, and that its benefit outweighs the disruption (R.C. 3109.04(E)). To adjust only the parenting-time schedule, use the Motion for Change of Parenting Time (Form 26), which uses a lower best-interest standard. To change support, file the Post Decree Motion (Local Form 102) with an updated worksheet, or request a CSEA review. Add the parenting affidavit for children and the income and health-insurance affidavits when support changes.

Where to File: Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Summit County Juvenile Court
650 Dan Street, Akron, OH 44310, Akron, OH 44310
Phone: (330) 643-2900
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

• Your circumstances have changed since the last order.
• You need to change custody, parenting time, or support.
• You already have a Summit County (or registered) order.
• You can document the change with current records.

Filing Fees

All Summit post-decree motions: $240 · Change of residential parent (Form 27) needs a change in circumstances + best interest + benefit outweighs harm · Parenting-time changes (Form 26) use a best-interest standard · Support changes (Local Form 102) need ~10% change

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Summit County

1. Pinpoint what you're changing. Identify whether you need to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or support — each has a different standard and form.
2. Gather your evidence. Document the change in circumstances: new income, a move, school or health needs, or safety concerns, with records and dates.
3. Complete the right motion. Use Form 27 (change custody), Form 26 (change parenting time), or Local Form 102 (change support), plus the parenting or income affidavits as required.
4. File and serve. File at the Summit DR Court, 205 South High Street, Akron, pay $240, and serve the other party with notice of the hearing.
5. Attend the hearing. Present your evidence; the court may order mediation or a Guardian ad Litem before deciding whether to modify the order.

Summit County Practice Notes

• Custody changes need a change in circumstances. Under R.C. 3109.04(E), modifying the residential parent requires a change in circumstances since the last order, plus findings that the change serves the child's best interest and that its benefit outweighs the harm of disruption. This is a higher bar than adjusting the schedule.
• Parenting-time changes are easier. Adjusting only the parenting-time (companionship) schedule uses a straightforward best-interest standard — no change-in-circumstances showing required. Form 26 is the tool for schedule changes.
• Support modifications need a real change. Run a fresh Ohio worksheet. Courts look for roughly a 10% change in the calculated amount before modifying support. File Local Form 102 with current pay stubs and tax returns, or request a CSEA administrative review.
• Relocation has its own notice rule. A residential parent planning to move must file a Notice of Intent to Relocate; the court can then revisit parenting time. Don't move the children out of the area without addressing the order first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I have to prove to change a custody order in Summit County?

Under R.C. 3109.04(E), changing the residential parent generally requires showing a change in circumstances since the last order, that the modification serves the child's best interest, and that the benefit of the change outweighs the harm of disruption. Adjusting only the parenting-time schedule uses a lower best-interest standard. File the change-of-custody motion (Form 27) or change-of-parenting-time motion (Form 26) at the DR Court; the post-decree fee is $240.

How do I change a child-support order in Summit County?

You can ask CSEA for an administrative review (generally available every 36 months, or sooner on a substantial change), or file a post-decree motion at the DR Court using Local Form 102 (Motion for Change of Child Support, Medical, or Tax). Ohio treats a 10% change in the calculated amount as the threshold for modification. Bring recent pay stubs and tax returns. The post-decree filing fee is $240.

Where do I file a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in Summit County?

All of these are filed at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 205 South High Street, Akron, OH 44308. The Clerk of Courts handles filing — in person, or by e-filing 24/7 at clerkefile.summitoh.net. Summit hosts its own versions of the Ohio forms on drcourt.org, so use the Summit-hosted form rather than the generic Supreme Court PDF, and remember to flatten any fillable PDF before you file.

What are the Summit County Domestic Relations filing fees?

Summit's Clerk fee schedule: divorce $420 with children / $370 without; dissolution $400 with children / $370 without; legal separation and annulment $420 with children / $370 without; a private parenting (unmarried) complaint or a complaint for legal custody $420; all post-decree motions and contempt actions $240; and a counterclaim $50. CPO petitions and CSEA filings are exempt from the deposit. If you can't afford the deposit, file Local Form 124 to proceed in forma pauperis.

What standard does a Summit County court use to decide custody?

Ohio courts decide custody by the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F)(1). The factors include each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when the court interviews the child), the child's relationships with parents and siblings, adjustment to home, school, and community, the mental and physical health of everyone involved, which parent is more likely to honor parenting time, child-support compliance, any history of abuse or neglect, and whether a parent plans to move out of state.

Free Local Resources in Summit County

• Summit Free Legal Clinic at Open M. Court-hosted community clinic in Akron offering free legal advice for self-represented parties.
• Summit County DR Court. drcourt.org — CPO forms, Local Rules, judge bios, and the parenting-class LMS. Clerk's Office (1st floor) opens at 7:30 a.m.
• Summit County Juvenile Court. juvenilecourt.summitoh.net · (330) 643-2900. Custody, visitation, support, and Grandparent Power of Attorney forms at 650 Dan Street.
• Summit County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding once a support order is in place.
• Victim Assistance Program of Summit County. Free advocates who help domestic-violence survivors complete CPO petitions and prepare for hearings.

Other Family-Law Topics in Summit County

• Summit County Divorce — Full filing guide with forms, fees, and the court's parenting class.
• Ohio Grandparents' Rights — Statewide overview of custody and companionship options for grandparents.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator — Run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself.
• Ohio family-law resources — 88-county directory of courts and legal aid.

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.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications 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.