Changing Orders After Your Van Wert County Decree

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

Van Wert County, Ohio · Van Wert

Life changes after a divorce or dissolution — incomes shift, children's needs change, and parents move. In Van Wert County, you change custody, parenting time, or support by filing a motion in the same Common Pleas case that issued the decree. This guide covers the motion packet, the legal standards, and the relocation notice.

How do I modify a custody, parenting-time, or support order in Van Wert County?

File a Motion in the same Common Pleas case, with Affidavit 1 (Income & Expenses), Affidavit 3 (Parenting Proceeding), Affidavit 4 (Health Insurance), the DR-2 IV-D Application, and an Affidavit in Support (Local Rule 6.2). To change custody, you must show a change in circumstances of the child or residential parent since the last order AND that modification is in the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)); changing the residential parent for school placement is a narrower, separate request. For support, file under R.C. 3119.79 or ask the CSEA for an administrative review. A parenting class is required again if more than two years have passed since you last attended (Rule 6.5).

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: Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas — General / Domestic Relations Division

121 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Van Wert, OH 45891
Phone: (419) 238-6935
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk of Courts at (419) 238-1022)
Website: www.vwcommonpleas.org

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court
108 East Main Street, Van Wert, OH 45891
Phone: (419) 238-1118
Hours: Monday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed on legal holidays)

Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…

You already have a Van Wert County decree or order and need to change custody, parenting time, or support.
Circumstances have changed since the last order (income, relocation, the child's needs, or schedules).
For a custody change, you can show a change in circumstances plus that the change serves the child's best interest.
You're ready to file the income, parenting, and health-insurance affidavits and the DR-2.

Filing Fees

The motion-to-reopen deposit is $225 (Local Rule 4); confirm the deposit for your specific post-decree motion with the Clerk. A CSEA administrative support review is free. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 238-1022.

Forms & Filing Packets

Modify child or spousal support — $225 motion-to-reopen deposit (confirm for your motion)

File a Motion under R.C. 3119.79 in the case that issued the order, or ask the Van Wert County CSEA for an administrative review (about every 36 months).

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.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
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.
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.
DR-2 IV-D Application (Van Wert County-required attachment) — Required at filing of any Common Pleas domestic-relations case involving children — the Clerk will not accept a children's filing without it (Local Rule 6.2). Opens the IV-D child-support record. Tip: Obtain the current DR-2 from the Clerk of Courts at (419) 238-1022 when you file.
Apply for Child Support Services (Title IV-D) — Van Wert County CSEA — Opens a IV-D child-support case with the Van Wert County Child Support Enforcement Agency, which establishes, collects, and enforces support by income withholding. Phone (419) 238-9566.

Modify custody or parenting time — $225 motion-to-reopen deposit (confirm for your motion)

File a Motion in the same case with the Rule 6.2 affidavits and an Affidavit in Support. Custody changes require a change in circumstances plus best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)).

Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
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.
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.
DR-2 IV-D Application (Van Wert County-required attachment) — Required at filing of any Common Pleas domestic-relations case involving children — the Clerk will not accept a children's filing without it (Local Rule 6.2). Opens the IV-D child-support record. Tip: Obtain the current DR-2 from the Clerk of Courts at (419) 238-1022 when you file.
Van Wert County Parenting Class (Local Rule 6.5) information — The court-ordered parenting-education requirement in any domestic case with minor children. Attend an approved program (online options and the live "A-OK" course) within 60 days of the final entry and file the certificate. Tip: Confirm the current approved-program list and cost with the Court Administrator at (419) 238-6935 before enrolling.
Van Wert County Common Pleas Local Rules (revised 8/18/2025) — The local DR rules — Rule 4 (deposits), Rule 6.2 (required attachments + DR-2), Rule 6.4 (temporary/ex parte orders + Standing Orders), Rule 6.5 (parenting class), Rule 6.12/6.12A (relocation), and Rule 6.13 (pre-trials).

How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Van Wert County

Identify the standard. Support modifications use R.C. 3119.79; custody changes require a change in circumstances plus best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)); parenting-time adjustments use a best-interest standard.
Assemble the motion packet. File a Motion with Affidavits 1, 3, and 4, the DR-2 IV-D Application, and an Affidavit in Support in the same Common Pleas case (Local Rule 6.2).
Re-take the parenting class if needed. For post-decree relief involving children, you must have attended the parenting class within the prior two years; if not, attend again (Rule 6.5).
Serve, attend the hearing, or use CSEA review. The other party is served and the court holds a hearing; for support you can instead ask the Van Wert County CSEA for an administrative review.

Van Wert County Practice Notes

Custody changes need a change in circumstances. The court will not modify a prior custody decree unless there has been a change in circumstances of the child or residential parent since the last order AND modification is in the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)). Changing only the residential parent for school-placement purposes is a narrower, separate request that uses a different standard.
Relocation requires a written notice. A residential parent who intends to move first files a written Notice of Intent to Relocate with the Clerk and serves it on the other parent; absent a further order you may relocate 14 days after service (Local Rule 6.12A). A long-distance election under Local Rule 6.12 gives the other parent 20 days to request a hearing.
Mandatory parenting class (Local Rule 6.5). With minor children, both parents must complete an approved parenting class (online options or the live 'A-OK' course) within 60 days of the final entry; failure can result in loss of custody/visitation, dismissal, or contempt. For post-decree relief, you must have attended within the prior two years. Confirm the approved-program list with the Court Administrator at (419) 238-6935.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change custody after my Van Wert County divorce?: File a Motion in the same Common Pleas case, with Affidavits 1, 3, and 4, the DR-2, and an Affidavit in Support (Local Rule 6.2). The court will not change a prior custody decree unless there has been a change in circumstances of the child or residential parent since the last order AND modification is in the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04(E)). Changing only the residential parent for school-placement purposes is a narrower, separate request that uses a different standard. A parenting class is required again if more than two years have passed since you last attended (Rule 6.5).
How do I change child support in Van Wert County?: File a Motion to modify support in the case that issued the order, with Affidavit 1 (Income & Expenses), Affidavit 3 (Parenting Proceeding), Affidavit 4 (Health Insurance), the DR-2 IV-D Application, and an Affidavit in Support (Local Rule 6.2). You can also ask the CSEA for an administrative review — orders are generally reviewable about every 36 months. The motion-to-reopen deposit is $225.00; confirm the deposit for your specific motion with the Clerk.
What do I have to do before moving with my child in Van Wert County?: A residential parent who intends to relocate must first file a written Notice of Intent to Relocate with the Clerk of Courts (date, place, address, phone) and serve it on the other parent. Absent a further court order, you may relocate 14 days after the other parent is served (R.C. 3109.051(G)(1); Local Rule 6.12A). If the move makes the local parenting-time schedule impractical, the parties use the Long Distance Visitation election under Local Rule 6.12 (the non-relocating parent has 20 days to request a hearing).
Is a parenting class required in Van Wert County?: Yes. Under Local Rule 6.5, parents in any domestic case involving minor children must complete one approved parenting class. The court approves both online programs and live courses (such as the 'A-OK' program); a current list is available from the Court Administrator. Attend within 60 days of the final entry — Rule 6.5 warns that not attending can result in loss of custody/visitation, dismissal, or contempt. For post-decree relief, you must have attended within the prior two years. Confirm the approved list at (419) 238-6935.
What does the Van Wert County CSEA do, and do I need a IV-D application?: The Van Wert County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), part of Job & Family Services at 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-9566, is the IV-D agency that establishes, collects, and enforces child support. Filing a IV-D Application (DR-2) opens a support case so CSEA can set support under Ohio's guidelines, collect by automatic income withholding, and enforce orders. Support payments run through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central (Ohio CSPC) in Columbus.

Free Local Resources in Van Wert County

Van Wert County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Where divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, annulment, post-decree, and protection-order filings are made — Van Wert County Courthouse, 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-1022 (fax filing (419) 238-4760 under Local Rule 5). The Clerk confirms current deposits and packet requirements; the Local Rules are posted at https://www.vanwertcountyohio.gov/government/courts/common_pleas_court/index.php.
Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court. Hears never-married parentage, custody, support, and non-parent custody, plus adoption — 108 East Main Street, Juvenile (419) 238-1118, Probate (419) 238-0027. New parentage/custody/support case $225 (Rule 8). Forms and e-filing at https://vwprobjuvcourt.com and https://efile.henschen.com.
Van Wert County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The IV-D agency that establishes, collects, and enforces child support by income withholding — Van Wert County Job & Family Services, 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-9566. Apply for services at https://www.vanwertcountyohio.gov/services/job_and_family_services/child_support_enforcement_agency.php. Payments run through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central (Ohio CSPC).
Parenting class (Local Rule 6.5). The court-ordered parenting-education requirement in any domestic case with minor children — approved online programs and the live 'A-OK' course, due within 60 days of the final entry. Confirm the approved-program list with the Court Administrator at (419) 238-6935.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.

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