Shared Parenting in Van Wert County

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

Van Wert County, Ohio · Van Wert

In shared parenting, both parents are designated residential parent and legal custodian under a court-approved plan. In Van Wert County, married/divorcing parents file the plan in the General / Domestic Relations Division and never-married parents in the Probate & Juvenile Court. The court approves a plan only when it serves the child's best interest (R.C. 3109.04).

How do I get shared parenting in Van Wert County, Ohio?

File a Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio Form 20) with your case — inside the divorce or dissolution if you were married, or in a Probate & Juvenile parentage case if you were never married. The plan must cover residential schedule, decision-making, support, and how disputes are resolved. The court approves it only if it is in the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F). Parenting time follows the county's Appendix A schedule (Option A week-about or Option B alternating weekends for parents within 30 miles), and with children both parents complete the parenting class (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)

Shared Parenting is the right path if…

Both parents want to be designated residential parent and legal custodian under one plan.
You can communicate well enough to share major decisions about the children.
You have (or can write) a Shared Parenting Plan covering schedule, decisions, support, and dispute resolution.
A shared arrangement fits the child's best interest under R.C. 3109.04(F).

Only one parent will be residential parent? A sole-custody plan may fit better. Compare custody.

Filing Fees

Shared parenting inside a divorce/dissolution: part of the case deposit. Never-married shared parenting: $225 Juvenile deposit. GAL deposit set case-by-case (DR) or $500 (Juvenile) in contested cases. Confirm amounts with the Clerk (419) 238-1022 or the Juvenile Court (419) 238-1118.

Forms & Filing Packets

Shared parenting inside a divorce or dissolution — Included in the divorce/dissolution deposit

Filed in the General / Domestic Relations Division as part of the divorce or dissolution. The plan is incorporated into the decree if the court approves it.

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). 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.
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.
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.

Shared parenting for never-married parents — $225 Juvenile parentage/custody deposit (Rule 8)

Filed in the Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court. Paternity must be established before the court approves a shared parenting plan.

Complaint for Allocation of Parental Rights & Responsibilities (Ohio SC Form 23) — Asks the Juvenile Branch to name a residential parent and legal custodian and set a parenting-time schedule when the parents were never married.
Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
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.
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.
Van Wert Probate & Juvenile Court — Forms (formsJU.php) — The Juvenile Division forms page — Uniform DR/Juvenile forms plus county items, including third-party custody/visitation filings and the Grandparent Power of Attorney.

How to File Shared Parenting in Van Wert County

Pick the right court. Married or divorcing parents file the plan in the General / Domestic Relations Division; never-married parents file in the Probate & Juvenile Court (paternity first).
Write a complete Shared Parenting Plan. Use Ohio Form 20 and cover the residential schedule, decision-making, child support, holidays, transportation, and how disputes are resolved.
Add the affidavit, worksheet, and class. File the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and a Child Support Worksheet, and complete the parenting class (Rule 6.5) with minor children.
Attend the hearing. The court reviews the plan under the R.C. 3109.04(F) best-interest factors, may appoint a Guardian ad Litem in a contested case, and incorporates an approved plan into the order.

Van Wert County Practice Notes

Best-interest standard governs. R.C. 3109.04(F)(1) lists 10+ factors: each parent's wishes, the child's wishes (when of sufficient age), the child's interaction with parents/siblings, adjustment to home/school/community, mental and physical health of all involved, the parent more likely to facilitate court-approved parenting time, child support compliance, criminal history, residence outside Ohio, and any history of abuse.
Appendix A Model Parenting Time Schedule is the default. Van Wert County's Appendix A schedules (effective 1/19/19) apply in both the Domestic and Juvenile Divisions. For parents within 30 miles, Option A is week-about (equal time) and Option B is alternating weekends plus a weekday split; Appendices B and C cover long-distance. The option chosen does not by itself create a child-support deviation, and holidays/vacations rotate under the Appendix.
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

What is the default parenting-time schedule in Van Wert County?: Van Wert County has adopted Model Parenting Time Schedules (Appendix A, effective 1/19/19) that apply in both the Domestic and Juvenile Divisions. For parents who live less than 30 miles apart, Appendix A offers selectable options — Option A (week-about / equal time, transitions Sundays at 7:00 p.m. with a Wednesday evening) and Option B (alternating weekends Friday to Monday plus a weekday split). Long-distance schedules are in Appendices B and C. The parenting-time option chosen does not by itself create a child-support deviation.
Which Van Wert County court hears my family-law case?: If you are (or were) married to the other parent, divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree matters, and civil protection orders are heard in the General / Domestic Relations Division of the Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas (Judge Martin D. Burchfield; domestic cases heard by Magistrate Christina L. Steffan) and filed with the Clerk of Courts at 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-1022. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support — and non-parent custody requests — are heard in the Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Kevin H. Taylor), 108 East Main Street, Juvenile (419) 238-1118.
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.
When does Van Wert County appoint a Guardian ad Litem, and who pays?: On a party's motion or its own motion when it is in the child's best interest, the Common Pleas Court appoints a Guardian ad Litem under Sup.R. 48; the parties pay the GAL's expense and the deposit is set on a case-by-case basis (Local Rule 6.6). In the Juvenile Court, a GAL is appointed under Rule 14 / Sup.R. 48 with a $500 security deposit (the Court may adjust it). The court may also order an investigation into the designation of the residential parent (a Juvenile home investigation deposit is $750).
What does it cost to file a parentage or custody case in the Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court?: Under Juvenile Local Rule 8, the deposit for petitions, complaints, counter/cross-claims, and a motion to vacate, revive, or modify a former judgment is $225.00. A home investigation, if ordered, is $750.00, and a Guardian ad Litem security deposit is $500.00. If you cannot afford the deposit, a Civil Fee Waiver Form is available. Confirm the current amounts with the Juvenile Court at (419) 238-1118.

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 shared parenting case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Post-Decree Modification — Update custody, support, or parenting orders after your case ends.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on shared parenting and related Ohio family law topics.

Shared Parenting in Ohio: How Joint Custody Really Works — Shared parenting is Ohio's version of joint custody — both parents stay legal custodians and share major decisions. Here's what a plan must cover and how courts decide.
Ohio Child Custody Laws: What Every Parent Should Know — Ohio custody law turns on one principle: the best interest of the child. This guide explains sole custody, shared parenting, the statutory factors, and how courts decide.
Fathers' Rights in Ohio: Custody, Paternity, and Parenting Time — Ohio law does not favor mothers over fathers — but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they have any rights. Here's how fathers protect their relationship with their children.

Keep exploring

Ohio Shared Parenting guide — Statewide overview of shared parenting in Ohio.
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