Ohio · Custody and support · Updated Oct 2026
Child custody and support in Ohio
Custody and child support in a Ohio divorce: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, custody mediation and the child support agency.
The short answer
Ohio law uses the term “allocation of parental rights and responsibilities” for custody. About the parenting class: The court may require parents to attend parenting classes or counseling (Ohio Rev. Code 3109.053); many county courts require one by local rule.
- Custody term
- Allocation of parental rights and responsibilities
- Parenting class
- Depends on the court
- Child support agency
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support
Custody terms in Ohio
Allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (shared parenting or residential parent and legal custodian)
Mediation
Set by each county court's local rules; mediation of parenting issues is common. Ask your Domestic Relations court.
Parenting class in Ohio
The court may require parents to attend parenting classes or counseling (Ohio Rev. Code 3109.053); many county courts require one by local rule.
Child support in Ohio
- Child support agency: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support
Children in a Ohio divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use Ohio's term for custody: allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.
Parenting class
The court may require parents to attend parenting classes or counseling (Ohio Rev. Code 3109.053); many county courts require one by local rule.
Mediation
Set by each county court's local rules; mediation of parenting issues is common.
The child support agency
Ohio's child support agency: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support
Questions about custody and child support in Ohio
What is child custody called in Ohio?
Ohio uses the term “allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (shared parenting or residential parent and legal custodian)”.
Do parents have to take a class in a Ohio divorce?
The court may require parents to attend parenting classes or counseling (Ohio Rev. Code 3109.053); many county courts require one by local rule.
Which agency handles child support in Ohio?
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support.
Is mediation required for custody in Ohio?
Set by each county court's local rules; mediation of parenting issues is common. Ask your Domestic Relations court.
More about divorce in Ohio
- All Ohio divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Ohio
- Alimony in Ohio
- Serving divorce papers in Ohio
- Divorce timeline estimator for Ohio
- Divorce checklist for Ohio
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.01
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.03
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.16
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.171
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.18
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.62
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.64
- Ohio Rev. Code 3109.053
- Supreme Court of Ohio: Uniform Domestic Relations Forms
- Ohio Legal Help: Divorce; Answering a Divorce
- Ohio Rev. Code 3105.171 as of 3-23-2023 (prior version, for comparison)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.