What You Should Know about Child Support Laws in Ohio
Under Ohio law, both parents have a legal duty to support their children, according to their ability to do so. Ohio’s child support guidelines are a formula for calculating child support based on each parent’s gross income. The guideline amount becomes the Court order, unless a party can show that the guidelines would be unjust and inappropriate in a particular case. In case of a change in the parents’ income, they can come back to Court and ask for a modification of child support.
Child Support Orders are enforceable Court orders. If a parent does not comply with a Child Support Order, the other parent or the child support enforcement agency can file a civil contempt of court. If the Court finds that a parent has willfully disobeyed a child support order, he or she may be fined or incarcerated.
Documents pertaining to child support can be found on the Forms & Filings page.
When are Child Support Orders established?
Child support orders are established in a divorce or dissolution case.
How is Child Support collected?
Ohio law requires all child support to be collected by the State Office of Child Support. Each county has a local child support enforcement agency.
How can I make my Child Support payments?
There are several methods to make payments for child support:
- Pay by Checking Account Debit
Payment by checking/savings account debit can be made at Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC). There is no charge for making online payments. Online payments can be scheduled as one-time only (non-recurring) or recurring.
- Pay by Credit Card
You can choose to make child support payments using your credit or debit card. This can be done through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC).
Accepted credit card types include Discover, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club International, and JCB. If you have an e-wallet account like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or Venmo, you can also use these other payment types to make your child support payment.
- Pay by Mail
Your payment may be in the form of a personal check, money order, or cashier’s check. Make checks payable to Ohio CSPC and mail via standard U.S. mail to:
Ohio CSPC
P.O. Box 182372
Columbus, OH 43218-2394
To ensure prompt and accurate posting to your child support case, please be sure to include the following with your payment:
- Your Social Security Number (optional)
- SETS Case Number (10-digit number that begins with a 7)
- Court Order Number
- Amount that should be applied to each case (if you have more than one case).
Child Support Enforcement
A parent may request a modification of a child support order by contacting the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services – Child Support Enforcement Division or by filing the proper motion with the Court to change the order. This can be done throughout the duration of the child’s minority. Modifications require a showing of changed circumstances from the facts as they existed at the time the last Order was entered. The Court’s IV-D Division handles modification of child support cases.
Child Support Orders are enforceable court orders. If a parent does not comply with a lawful Child Support Order, a civil contempt of court action can be brought by a parent or the Lake County Department of Job and Family Services – Child Support Enforcement Division.
What about medical expenses and health insurance for the child?
In addition to child support orders, the court is required to order one or both parents to provide for the health care needs of the child. Either parent or both may be required to pay any amounts not covered by insurance. The expected cost of ordinary and reasonable medical and dental expenses are already built in to the child support guidelines. The Court will make a separate order with regard to how the parties will pay these expenses.