Enforcing an Order in Vinton County

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

Vinton County, Ohio · McArthur

When the other party ignores a court order — missed parenting time, unpaid support, or unpaid medical costs — you can ask the court to hold them in contempt. In Vinton County a contempt motion runs under the original case number, and a Summons on Contempt notifies the other party of the show-cause hearing.

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

File a motion to show cause under your original case number, describing the order and how it was violated, and request a Summons on Contempt (R.C. 2705.031(C)). The Clerk's 2015 schedule lists a $175 deposit for a post-decree motion or contempt (confirm the current amount). The court holds a hearing where you must prove the violation; it can order compliance, a purge condition, jail or a fine, and may award attorney fees in support and parenting-time contempt cases. Contempt over health insurance or a child's medical expenses is supported by the Health Insurance Affidavit. Confirm the current deposit with the Clerk at (740) 596-3001.

Where to File: Vinton County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

100 East Main Street, McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: (740) 596-4319
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: vintoncounty.com/government/clerk-of-courts/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Vinton County Probate/Juvenile Court
100 East Main Street, McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: (740) 790-7003
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

There is an existing order the other party has violated — parenting time, support, or medical/insurance.
You can document the violation (dates, amounts, missed exchanges).
You want the court to order compliance and possible penalties or attorney fees.
You can pay the post-decree motion deposit (or request a waiver) and file under the original case number.

Filing Fees

A post-decree motion or contempt deposit is $175 on the Clerk's 2015 cost schedule (confirm the current amount) · the court can order compliance, a purge condition, penalties, and (in support/parenting-time cases) attorney fees. Court fees and deposits change, and Vinton County's posted cost schedule is dated 2015 — confirm the current amount with the Vinton County Clerk of Courts at (740) 596-3001 before filing. For never-married-parent and juvenile cases, confirm deposits with the Probate/Juvenile Court at (740) 790-7003.

Forms & Filing Packets

Contempt for parenting time or support — $175 post-decree / contempt deposit (2015 schedule — confirm)

File a motion to show cause under the original case number with a Summons on Contempt. The court holds a hearing where you prove the violation; it can order compliance, a purge condition, and penalties, and may award attorney fees.

Motion for Contempt, Affidavit & Instructions for Service (Ohio SC Form 24) — Opens a contempt (show-cause) action to enforce a decree — parenting time, child or spousal support, property division, or medical orders (R.C. 2705.02 / 2705.031).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.

Contempt over health insurance or medical costs — $175 post-decree / contempt deposit (2015 schedule — confirm)

Use the show-cause motion with the Health Insurance Affidavit when the dispute is about insurance coverage or a child's medical expenses.

Motion for Contempt, Affidavit & Instructions for Service (Ohio SC Form 24) — Opens a contempt (show-cause) action to enforce a decree — parenting time, child or spousal support, property division, or medical orders (R.C. 2705.02 / 2705.031).
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.

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Vinton County

Document the violation. Gather dates, amounts, and records showing how the order was not followed.
Prepare the show-cause motion. Complete the Motion for Contempt and request a Summons on Contempt so the other party is notified (R.C. 2705.031(C)).
File under the original case number. File on paper in the court that issued the order and pay the $175 deposit (or request a waiver).
Attend the hearing. Present your evidence; the court can order compliance, a purge condition, penalties, and attorney fees in support and parenting-time cases.

Vinton County Practice Notes

A Summons on Contempt must notify the other party. A contempt motion is a show-cause action: request a Summons on Contempt so the other party is formally notified of the hearing and the consequences (R.C. 2705.031(C)). Bring records — dates, amounts, and missed exchanges — proving the violation.
Document the violation and try to resolve it. Gather the order and proof of the violation before filing. Courts favor parties who have made a genuine effort to resolve the problem first; for medical or insurance disputes, attach the Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) to support the claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a contempt case work in Vinton County?: File a motion to show cause under your original case number and request a Summons on Contempt so the other party is notified of the hearing (R.C. 2705.031(C)). The 2015 schedule lists a $175 deposit for a post-decree motion or contempt (confirm). At the hearing you must prove the violation; the court can order compliance, a purge condition, jail or a fine, and may award attorney fees in support and parenting-time contempt cases. For medical or insurance disputes, the Health Insurance Affidavit supports the claim.
How do I change or enforce a Vinton County order?: Post-decree motions stay in the same case that issued your decree. To change the parenting-time schedule, the court uses the best-interest standard; to change custody, you must show a change in circumstances plus best interest under R.C. 3109.04(E). To change support, show a change in circumstances or use the CSEA review. The 2015 schedule lists a $175 deposit for a post-decree motion or contempt (confirm the current amount). A residential parent planning to move files a notice of intent to relocate (R.C. 3109.051(G)).
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Vinton County?: Vinton County's posted cost schedule is dated 2015, so confirm current amounts with the Clerk before filing. As posted, the deposit is $325 for a divorce or dissolution, $200 for a new civil action, $175 for a post-decree motion or contempt, and $100 for a juvenile custody filing. A DVCPO petition has no filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31). An Affidavit of Indigency (Civ.R. 3(E)) can waive the deposit. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 596-3001.
How does the Vinton County CSEA help with child support?: The Vinton County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), at 30975 Industrial Park Road, McArthur ((740) 596-2584), opens the IV-D case, sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects it by income withholding, distributes payments, and can administratively review and adjust an existing order; a contested result can go to the court. Open a IV-D case whenever support is established or changed.

Free Local Resources in Vinton County

Vinton County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk (Jeremiah R. Griffith) handles filing, fees, and the docket for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and domestic-relations post-decree matters. Vinton County is paper-only — file in person or by mail at 100 East Main Street, McArthur. Confirm current deposits and packet requirements at (740) 596-3001 (clerkofcourt@vintonco.com) or https://vintoncounty.com/government/clerk-of-courts/.
Vinton County Probate/Juvenile Court. The combined Probate/Juvenile Court (Hon. N. Robert Grillo) handles never-married parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support, plus non-parent custody and adoption. Confirm juvenile filing deposits and procedures at (740) 790-7003.
Vinton County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The CSEA, at 30975 Industrial Park Road, McArthur ((740) 596-2584), opens the IV-D case, sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, distributes payments, and can review existing orders. Open a IV-D case whenever support is established or changed.
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 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.

Related guides

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

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.
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.

Keep exploring

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