Washington County Post-Decree Modification Attorneys
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026
Washington County, Ohio · Marietta
Life changes after a decree — incomes shift, schedules stop working, or a parent needs to move. In Washington County you file a modification in the existing case: divorce-decree orders stay in the Domestic Relations case at the Court of Common Pleas (continuing jurisdiction), while never-married-parent orders go back to the Juvenile Court. Each post-decree motion — change of custody, modify support, or modify visitation — takes a $200 deposit, with a $35 counter-motion fee.
Hire Gavvl for your Washington County modifications case
Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Washington County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.
Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.
How do I modify a custody or support order in Washington County, Ohio?
File a motion to modify in the existing case — divorce orders stay in the Domestic Relations case at the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, and never-married-parent orders go back to the Juvenile Court. Each post-decree motion (change of custody, modify support, or modify visitation) takes a $200 deposit; a counter-motion is $35, and there is no deposit for a CSEA-brought support motion. Changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances plus best-interest findings under R.C. 3109.04(E); changing only the schedule uses a best-interest standard; support changes need an updated worksheet, and a deviation requires statutory findings.
Modify your Washington County order with Gavvl Law
When incomes shift, a schedule stops working, or a parent needs to move, Washington County keeps the case where it started: a divorce decree is modified in the same Domestic Relations case at the Court of Common Pleas under continuing jurisdiction, while a never-married order goes back to the Juvenile Court. Each motion — change of custody, modify support, or modify visitation — takes a $200 deposit, and Gavvl Law files the right one with the right proof, for a flat fee approved up front with payment plans available.
- The right standard for what you're changing. 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 straightforward best-interest test; a support change needs an updated 2024 worksheet. We match your motion to its standard so it isn't denied on the wrong burden of proof.
- Filed in the case that already exists. Even though a brand-new unmarried-parent case would go to Juvenile Court, modifying an existing divorce decree stays in the Domestic Relations case at the Court of Common Pleas. We file under your existing case number so continuing jurisdiction isn't a fight.
- The $200 motion, without wasted deposits. A post-decree motion is $200 and a counter-motion is $35, but a support motion the Washington County CSEA brings carries no deposit. We tell you when to let CSEA's administrative review do the work and when a court motion is worth filing, all inside one flat fee.
We handle post-decree motions in both the General Division and the Washington County Juvenile Court in Marietta, so the $200 motion deposit, the R.C. 3109.04(E) change-of-circumstances standard, and CSEA's review process are familiar when we take your case.
Flat-fee options
Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the motion to modify an existing custody, parenting-time, or support order. You appear at any hearing.
- Modify custody or parenting time: $1,450
- Modify child support: $950
Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.
Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.
Start your modifications case or see payment plans & financing.
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: Washington County Court of Common Pleas
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Website: Court website
Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)
Washington County Juvenile Court
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Post-Decree Modifications is the right path if…
- There's been a real change since the last order — income, a move, school, health, or safety.
- You need to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or the support amount.
- You're working within an existing Washington County case (DR or Juvenile).
- Your current order no longer fits your children's needs.
Filing Fees
Each post-decree motion (change custody / modify support / modify visitation) $200 · counter-motion $35 · no deposit for a CSEA-brought support motion · support deviations need statutory findings · confirm amounts with the Clerk (740) 373-6623
Forms & Filing Packets
Modify custody or parenting time — $200 change-of-custody or modify-visitation motion
File the Motion to Change Parental Rights / Custody (or Motion to Modify Visitation) in the existing case with the UCCJEA affidavit. Changing the residential parent uses the higher R.C. 3109.04(E) standard.
- Motion to Change Parental Rights / Custody (Washington County) — Asks the court to reallocate parental rights and responsibilities after a decree. Changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances under R.C. 3109.04(E).
- Motion to Modify Custody (Washington County) — Requests a change to an existing custody order. The post-decree change-of-custody deposit is $200.
- Motion to Modify Visitation (Domestic Relations) — Requests a change to a parenting-time order entered in a Domestic Relations case. The post-decree modify-visitation deposit is $200.
- 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.
Modify child support — $200 modify-support motion (no deposit if CSEA brings it)
File the change-of-support motion with an updated worksheet and current income proof, or request a CSEA administrative review.
- 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.
- 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.
- Affidavit of Health Insurance (Washington County) — States who can provide health insurance for the children and at what cost — required whenever child support is at issue.
How to File Post-Decree Modifications in Washington County
- Identify what you're changing. Decide whether you need to change the residential parent, the parenting-time schedule, or support — each has a different standard.
- Document the change. Gather evidence of the change in circumstances: new income, a move, school or health needs, or safety concerns, with dates and records.
- Prepare the motion. Draft the motion in the existing case with the UCCJEA affidavit (custody) or an updated worksheet and income proof (support).
- File with the $200 deposit. File in the existing DR or Juvenile case; a counter-motion is $35, and a CSEA-brought support motion has no deposit.
- Attend the hearing. Present your evidence; for support you can also ask the Washington County CSEA for an administrative review.
Washington County Practice Notes
- Continuing jurisdiction keeps DR cases in DR. Even though a brand-new unmarried-parent case would go to Juvenile, modifying an existing divorce decree stays in the Domestic Relations case at the Court of Common Pleas. File your motion in that same case number.
- Custody changes need a change in circumstances. Under R.C. 3109.04(E), changing the residential parent requires a change in circumstances since the last order plus findings that the change serves the children's best interest. Adjusting only the schedule uses a straightforward best-interest standard.
- Each motion has its own $200 deposit. Washington County charges $200 for a post-decree change-of-custody, modify-support, or modify-visitation motion, plus $35 for a counter-motion. A motion the Child Support Enforcement Agency files carries no deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.
- How is child support calculated in Washington County?
- Washington County uses Ohio's statewide 2024 Income Shares Model — there is no county formula. Run the official worksheet at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov using both parents' gross incomes, the parenting-time schedule, health-insurance premiums, and work-related child-care costs, then print and sign it. The Washington County Child Support Enforcement Agency, (740) 373-9324 (4th floor), opens the IV-D case, sets up wage withholding, and enforces collection. A deviation from the guideline amount requires statutory best-interest findings.
- What is the standard parenting-time schedule in Washington County?
- For orders entered on or after May 1, 2015, Washington County uses Parenting Time Policy 3A, which has a Local schedule (parents within 150 miles of each other) and a Long-Distance schedule (more than 150 miles apart). The Local schedule gives the non-residential parent alternate weekends Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 8:00 p.m. plus Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., with holidays and summer time added. A parent who plans to relocate must give written notice within 7 days and file a Notice of Intent to Relocate. Older orders may still follow the travel-time-based Policy 3.
- 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.
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 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 Washington County family law
- Ohio Post-Decree Modifications guide — Statewide overview of post-decree modifications in Ohio.
- Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
- Washington County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Washington County guide.
- Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
- Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
