Support
Parents owe their biological or adopted children a legal duty of support. This means they must financially support their child. The Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court has jurisdiction over the support orders of children whose parents’ marriage has terminated or is in the process of being terminated.
If appropriate, the Court may award spousal support (formerly “alimony”) to one of the marital partners in a divorce, dissolution or legal separation.
Child Support Customer Service Web Portal Ohio Child Support Guidelines Calculator
Establishing Child Support
Parents owe their biological or adopted children a legal duty of support. This means they must financially support their children. A support order can be established two ways, administratively or judicially.
Collecting Child Support
Once a support order is made, the case is open for collection. Child support cases remain open until the children are emancipated and arrearages that may have accrued are paid.
CJFS-OCSS Administrative Review
If either party disagrees with the administrative findings and recommendations on the revised amount of child support by the CJFS-OCSS, they may request a court hearing.
Modifying Child Support
A child support order can be modified if the parent requesting the modification can demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the order was established or last modified.
Spousal Support
Ohio law requires that a married person support his or her spouse. The Court may order spousal support in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment case.