Post-Decree Modifications in Tuscarawas County

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

Tuscarawas County, Ohio · New Philadelphia

After the court enters a decree, later changes stay in that same case under continuing jurisdiction — the General Division for married/divorced parents, the Juvenile Division for never-married parents. Tuscarawas County provides dedicated motion packets to change custody, parenting time, or support, and to give notice of a relocation. Parties may agree to mediate first, which can lower the motion deposit.

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

File in the division that issued your order. In the General Division, use the Agreed Motion for Change of Custody (when both parents agree) or the Motion for Change of Custody (no agreement), the Motion to Modify Visitation/Companionship, or the Motion to Modify Child Support; a post-decree Motion to Modify is $170, reduced to $135 if the case was mediated post-decree within the prior two months, and agreed post-decree motions are $90. For never-married parents, use the Juvenile motions (change of custody, establish/modify visitation, modify support, or modify a prior order). If you plan to move, file the Notice of Relocation (deposit $2.50). Parties may request mediation before filing a post-decree motion (application without a motion is $50).

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: Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: (330) 364-8811
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk at (330) 365-3243 to confirm current hours)
Website: www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us/government/court_of_common_pleas_court_general_division/index.php
e-Filing: https://eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: (330) 365-3244
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

There has been a change of circumstances since your last order.
You need to change custody, parenting time, or child support.
You are filing in the same court that issued the original order.
You plan to move and must give a relocation notice.
You want to try mediation before filing a contested motion.

Filing Fees

General Division: Motion to Modify $170 ($135 if mediated post-decree in prior 2 months) · Agreed post-decree motion $90 · Notice of Relocation $2.50 · Application for post-decree mediation (no motion) $50 · Juvenile deposits set by that division — confirm with the Clerk at (330) 365-3243.

Forms & Filing Packets

Agreed change of custody (General Division) — Agreed post-decree motion $90

Use when both parents agree to change what the judge previously ordered.

Agreed Motion for Change of Custody (Tuscarawas General Division) — Use when both parents agree to change a custody arrangement the judge previously ordered.

Contested change / modify support or visitation (General Division) — Motion to Modify $170 ($135 if mediated post-decree in the prior 2 months)

Use when the parents do not agree, or to change support or the parenting-time schedule.

Motion for Change of Custody — No Agreement (Tuscarawas General Division) — Use when you want to change a previously ordered custody arrangement and the other parent does not agree.
Motion to Modify Visitation / Companionship (Tuscarawas General Division) — Use to change a previously ordered parenting-time/companionship schedule.
Motion to Modify Child Support (Tuscarawas General Division) — Use to change a child-support order the General Division previously issued 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 the court sets or changes support.

Modify a Juvenile order (never-married parents)

Use the Juvenile motions to change custody, visitation, support, or another prior order. Local Rule 6.2 forms accompany the motion.

Motion for Change of Custody — Tuscarawas Juvenile — Seek custody in a case already existing in the Juvenile Court (you must already be a party).
Motion to Establish / Modify Visitation — Tuscarawas Juvenile — Obtain a first visitation order or change a previously ordered schedule in an existing Juvenile case.
Motion to Modify Child Support — Tuscarawas Juvenile — Change a child-support obligation previously ordered by the Juvenile Court (CSEA-issued orders use administrative review).
Motion to Modify Prior Court Order — Tuscarawas Juvenile — Modify other prior orders entered in your Juvenile case.
Affidavit of Basic Information, Income, and Expenses (Ohio SC; Local Rule 6.2) — Ohio Supreme Court standardized affidavit required with every initial Juvenile filing and every reopening motion under Local Rule 6.2.
Confidential Information Page (Local Rule 6.2) — Required with every initial Juvenile filing and every reopening motion under Local Rule 6.2.

You are moving — $2.50 deposit

File the Notice of Relocation before you move from the address in your custody papers.

Notice of Relocation (Tuscarawas General Division) — Filed before you move from the address in your custody papers; the law may require notice to the other parent, the court, and the CSEA. Deposit $2.50.
Request for Mediation Before Filing a Post-Decree Motion — Sends a post-decree dispute to the General Division's mediation program before a motion is filed. Application for post-decree mediation (without a motion) is $50.

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Tuscarawas County

Identify the right court. File in the General Division for a divorce/dissolution order, or the Juvenile Division for a never-married-parent order.
Pick the right motion. Use the agreed or contested change-of-custody packet, the modify-visitation packet, or the modify-support packet, depending on what you need to change.
Consider mediation first. Request mediation before filing to resolve the dispute and potentially lower the motion deposit.
File and serve. File the motion (with Local Rule 6.2 forms in Juvenile cases), pay the applicable deposit, and serve the other parent. File the Notice of Relocation separately if you are moving.

Tuscarawas County Practice Notes

File in the court that issued the order. Continuing jurisdiction keeps post-decree changes in the same case: the General Division for divorce/dissolution orders, the Juvenile Division for never-married-parent orders. Every Juvenile reopening motion needs the Local Rule 6.2 forms.
Mediation can lower the deposit. Parties may agree to send a post-decree dispute to the General Division's mediation program before filing (application without a motion is $50). If the case was mediated post-decree within the prior two months, the Motion to Modify deposit drops from $170 to $135.
Relocation needs notice. If you plan to move from the address in your custody papers, file the Notice of Relocation ($2.50); the law may require notice to the other parent, the court, and the CSEA before moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to modify an order after the decree in Tuscarawas County?: In the General Division, a post-decree Motion to Modify is $170, reduced to $135 if the case was mediated post-decree within the prior two months, and an agreed post-decree motion is $90. Juvenile deposits are set by that division — confirm with the Clerk.
Can I mediate a post-decree dispute before filing a motion in Tuscarawas County?: Yes. Parties may agree to send a post-decree dispute to the General Division's mediation program before filing, using the Request for Mediation Before Filing a Post-Decree Motion. The application for post-decree mediation without a motion is $50, and mediating can lower a later Motion to Modify deposit from $170 to $135.
Do I have to give notice before moving in Tuscarawas County?: If you plan to move from the address in your custody papers, file the Notice of Relocation (deposit $2.50). The law may require notice to the other parent, the court, and the CSEA before moving.
Do I file in the General Division or the Juvenile Division in Tuscarawas County?: If you are married to (or were married to) the other parent, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided in the General Division as part of your divorce or dissolution. If you were never married, paternity and custody are handled by the Juvenile Division. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed in the Juvenile Division.

Free Local Resources in Tuscarawas County

Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts (General Division). Clerk Wendy D. Jones, Suite 230, PO Box 628, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Accepts filings in person, by mail, by email (clerkfiling@co.tuscarawas.oh.us, $0.25/page service copies), by e-file (eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com), or by fax (330-343-4682). Call (330) 365-3243 to confirm deposits and packet requirements before filing.
Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and adult DVCPO/CSPO cases at 125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia; (330) 364-8811. DR forms are county-local packets provided via the County Bar Association and SEOLS. How-to videos at youtube.com/@TuscarawasCountyCourts.
Tuscarawas County Juvenile Division. Judge Adam W. Wilgus. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus grandparent visitation and non-parent custody. Local Rule 6.2 requires the Affidavit of Basic Information and a Confidential Information Page with initial filings.
Tuscarawas County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Administered by the Prosecutor's Office (Director Traci A. Berry). Opens IV-D support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. CSEA line: 800-685-2732.
Protection orders — SEOLS & Prosecutor's Office. Standardized DVCPO/CSPO petition forms and self-help guidance are available through Southeastern Ohio Legal Services / Ohio Legal Help. For local help, contact the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor's Office at (330) 365-3214. There is no filing fee; call 911 in an emergency.

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