Filing for Divorce with Children in Adams County

File for divorce with minor children in the Adams County Common Pleas Court. Step-by-step guidance, 12 required forms, ~$350 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.

Adams County is one of Ohio's smaller rural counties, but its Common Pleas Court at 110 W Main Street in West Union runs a tight DR docket under Judge Brett M. Spencer and Magistrate David M. Hunter. Court Administrator Veronica Grooms is the right first call: (937) 544-8774. The required parenting class is the locally-named 'Helping Children Cope With Family Separation Seminar' — one per spouse — and missing it can delay your final decree.

Adams County Common Pleas Court

110 W Main St, West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2921
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed on legal holidays)

Adams County Common Pleas, 110 W Main St, West Union.

Filing Fees

Confirm current fee with the Court Administrator before filing

Adams County Procedure Quirks

  • Adams County's required parenting class is 'Helping Children Cope With Family Separation Seminar' — one per spouse. Failure to attend may delay your final decree until both parents have completed it.
  • Forms are organized by case type at the Adams County Common Pleas DR Forms Hub (sites.google.com/view/adamscountycommonpleas).

Parenting Class

Helping Children Cope With Family Separation Seminar — Adams County (notice AC-203 and registration packet AC-204)
Required — one per spouse. Failure to attend may delay your final decree until both parents have completed it.

Judges

  • Judge Brett M. Spencer

Adams County Juvenile Court

110 West Main St., Room 221, West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2921
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed on legal holidays)
Website: adamscountycourts.com/JuvenileCourt/home

Accepts cash, money order, credit, or debit cards — no personal checks. Email: juvenilecourt@adamscountycourts.com.

Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile

Adams keeps both courts at the same address — 110 W. Main Street in West Union — under the same judge (Brett M. Spencer). Common Pleas handles divorces and dissolutions; Juvenile Court (Room 221) handles never-married-parent custody/support and juvenile matters.

Free Local Resources in Adams County

  • Adams County DR Forms Hub. sites.google.com/view/adamscountycommonpleas — every divorce-with-children form, organized by case type.
  • Southeastern Ohio Legal Services. Income-qualified help with custody, parenting time, and child support.
  • Ohio State Bar — Law You Can Use. ohiobar.org/ForPublic/Resources/LawYouCanUse
  • Ohio Child Support Calculator. jfs.ohio.gov/ocs

Related to your divorce

  • 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.

Call +1-844-694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.