Enforcing Orders Through Contempt in Washington County

Where to File: Washington County Court of Common Pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Washington County Juvenile Court
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Post-Decree Contempt is the right path if…

• The other party is violating a clear, existing court order.
• You can identify the exact provision being violated (parenting time, support, or property terms).
• Informal efforts to get compliance have failed.
• You want the court to order compliance and possibly impose penalties.

Filing Fees

$200 contempt / lump-sum deposit · a contempt finding can include costs and attorney fees · confirm amounts with the Clerk (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503 or the Juvenile Court ext. 2421

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Post-Decree Contempt in Washington County

1. Pinpoint the violation. Identify the exact order provision being violated — parenting time, child support, or a property/conduct term — and gather proof.
2. Draft a compliant motion. State the basis specifically, attach the Show Cause Order & Notice, and add the statutory warning language.
3. File with the $200 deposit. File in the existing DR or Juvenile case with a Certificate of Service.
4. Serve and prepare. Ensure the other party is properly served and organize your evidence of each violation by date.
5. Attend the hearing. Ask the court to order compliance and, where appropriate, costs and attorney fees.

Washington County Practice Notes

• Use the Show Cause Order and the statutory warning. The contempt motion must specifically state its basis and carry the statutory warning language — that violating the order can lead to arrest, fines, attorney fees, possible jail, and appointed counsel if the responding party is indigent. Washington County provides a Show Cause Order & Notice form for this.
• Bring proof of each violation. Organize your evidence by date: pay records for support, a parenting-time log for missed exchanges, or messages showing the violation. A contempt finding may include costs and attorney fees, and purge conditions may let the other party avoid penalties by complying.
• Court-connected mediation under Local Rule 29.5. The court can refer parenting and visitation disputes to mediation and stay the case up to 90 days. The visitation-mediation deposit is $125 (with a $75 conversion fee if it later becomes a contempt or modification). Mediation may not be used to decide whether to grant, modify, or terminate a protection order.

Frequently Asked Questions

My ex isn't following our order — how do I enforce it in Washington County?

File a motion for contempt with a Show Cause Order & Notice in the existing case — Domestic Relations contempt at the General Division, juvenile-order contempt at the Juvenile Court. The contempt / lump-sum deposit is $200. The motion must identify the exact order being violated and carry the statutory warning language about possible jail, fines, and attorney fees. Bring proof of each violation — pay records, a parenting-time log, or messages.

How much does it cost to change a custody, parenting-time, or support order in Washington County?

Each post-decree motion — to change custody, modify child support, or modify visitation — takes a $200 deposit, and a counter-motion is $35. There is no deposit for a motion brought by the Child Support Enforcement Agency. Changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances plus best-interest findings under R.C. 3109.04(E); adjusting only the schedule uses a best-interest standard; support changes need an updated worksheet. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 373-6623.

Where do unmarried parents file for custody, paternity, or support in Washington County?

At the Washington County Juvenile Court, 205 Putnam St., Marietta, before Hon. Timothy A. Williams (Magistrate Kyle Boker). The Juvenile Court keeps its own clerks: the custody clerk is Jill Roach (ext. 2421), and the paternity/support clerk is Morgan McCartney (ext. 2423). Complete the local juvenile packets in blue ink. Grandparent and other non-parent custody requests are always filed here, not in Probate.

Does Washington County use mediation in custody cases?

Yes. Under Local Rule 29.5 the court can refer parenting and visitation disputes to mediation, and the case may be stayed for up to 90 days while the parents work toward agreement. The visitation-mediation deposit is $125 (with a $75 conversion fee if the matter later becomes a contempt or modification). Mediation may not be used to decide whether to grant, modify, or terminate a protection order.

Free Local Resources in Washington County

• Washington County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (740) 373-6623, ext. 2503 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM), or visit https://washingtongov.org/269/Common-Pleas-Court---General-Division before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
• Washington County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Washington County's IV-D agency, (740) 373-9324 (4th floor), opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
• "Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension. The court-approved parenting-education class for parents with minor children, run by OSU Extension–Washington County. Meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta; $30 in exact cash; pre-register at (740) 376-7431. File the certificate before the final hearing.

Other Family-Law Topics in Washington County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Washington County custody attorney for help with your case.

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.
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