Both parties are required to register with the Wood County Child Support Enforcement Agency prior to the issuance of a child support order. The parties may stop at the office located on the first floor at the Wood County Courthouse. When you make your first court appearance, you will be directed to that office. The application form is also available online on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website, as a convenience for when the court staff is unavailable, or by downloading the Application for Child Support Services Non-Public Assistance Applicant-Recipient (PDF).
The parties may estimate the child support obligation by using the calculator at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Be aware that the final calculation may vary, depending on the facts presented at trial.
A Guardian ad Litem ("GAL") is a person who is appointed to assist the Judge or Magistrate in determining what is in a child's best interest in a parenting proceeding. A GAL has special training and experience to deal with children and domestic relations matters. The GAL will interview each parent and conduct an investigation to determine what is in the child's best interest. The GAL will report his/her findings to determine if it is possible for the parents to reach an agreement after taking into consideration the recommendations. Frequently the parties will reach an agreement after hearing the recommendations so that the parties can avoid a trial. If there is no agreement, then the GAL will submit a written report to the court prior to the trial.
All Changing Families classes are canceled until further notice.
This is a court-sponsored program for families of divorce that is presented by a licensed therapist. It is designed to help the children as their family changes from one to two households by providing education and skill building.
Your children must attend 3 sessions.
The groups meet at the Wood County Job and Family Services building located at 1928 E Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.
After each session, the parents will receive a synopsis of the topics that are covered in the sessions. Then, at the last session, the parents will be invited to join the children for the last 20 to 30 minutes.
To assure that your family can successfully transition and avoid conflict that is detrimental to children, there are 2 classes that must be completed prior to the final hearing. The parents are required to complete Uptoparents.org. This seminar is set up online for your convenience. You can work on the program when it fits into your schedule and it is not necessary to complete it all in one sitting. Upon completion of the program, be sure to print out the Certificate of Completion. The certificate must then be filed with the Clerk of Courts.
The second program, Changing Families, is designed for school-age children. This is a court-sponsored program for families of divorce that is presented by a licensed therapist. It is designed to help the children as their family changes from one to two households by providing education and skill building. Be sure to schedule promptly so that the program can be scheduled.
The following is a list of a variety of online parenting programs that may be ordered by the court in post-divorce proceedings:
There are many resources to help parents help their children talk to their children and work with their children through the divorce and after. The court's programs are intended to help families through the process. There are also many websites with information for parents such as the Divorce and Children website. And there are local agencies who can assist families such as the following organizations listed.
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 496
Findlay, OH 43839
Phone: 419-420-9261
Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday from 4 to 8 pm
Sunday from Noon to 8 pm
Security: Officer present at all times
Levels of Supervision: Monitors in room/cameras
Physical Address
350 Rawson Avenue
Fremont, OH 43420
Phone: 419-354-4582
Security: Cameras
Levels of Security:
Physical Address
42 Madison Street
Tiffin, OH 44883
Phone: 419-448-0080
Physical Address
8200 West State Route 163
Oak Harbor, OH 43449
Physical Address
219 E Washington Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: 419-592-0540
Physical Addresses
Hope United Methodist 4069 W Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, OH 43623
Olivet Lutheran Church, 5840 Monroe Street, Sylvania, OH 43560
Faith Lutheran Church, 2440 South Street, Toledo, OH 43609
Security: Several "bouncers"
Level of Supervision: Monitors in room
Physical Address
1020 Varland Avenue
Toledo, OH 43605
Phone: 419-691-1429
Security: Police sub-station on-site/coded visitation door
Level of Supervision: Monitors in room
Physical Address
115 W Fayette Street
Celina, OH 45822
Phone: 419-586-4663, ext. 1006