Modifying Orders in Washington County

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.

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.

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 45750, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Website: washingtongov.org/269/Common-Pleas-Court---General-Division

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 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.

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

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