Allen County Divorce Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Allen County, Ohio · Lima

An Allen County divorce is an adversarial action (Plaintiff v. Defendant) filed in the Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division before Judge Matt C. Staley, through the Allen County Clerk of Courts at 301 N. Main St., Lima. Magistrates Deborah L. Drexler and Dennis S. Kerber handle much of the docket and also provide mediation. The 2026 deposit is $375, the county routes filings to the standardized Ohio Supreme Court DR forms, and after service the case is set for an uncontested or pretrial hearing after 42 days (DR Loc.R. 20.03).

Hire Gavvl for your Allen County divorce case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Allen County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

How do I file for divorce in Allen County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Divorce (Ohio SC Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children) plus the Uniform Affidavit of Income and Expenses, Affidavit of Property, and a Case Designation Sheet with the Allen County Clerk of Courts, 301 N. Main St., Lima. The deposit is $375 (add $25 for temporary orders and $450 if a custody/home-study investigation is ordered). With minor children, also file the Parenting Proceeding (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, a child-support worksheet, a parenting plan, and a IV-D Application, and complete the A-OK parenting class before the final hearing. The plaintiff must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months. After service, the case is set for hearing after 42 days.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Allen County divorce

A divorce in Allen County is an adversarial case filed with the Clerk of Courts at 301 N. Main St., Lima and heard in the Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division. The county routes filings to the standardized Ohio Supreme Court DR forms but still demands its own Case Designation Sheet, and the $375 deposit only starts the clock — after service the case is not set for hearing until 42 days pass. Gavvl Law assembles the packet correctly the first time and can take a flat-fee uncontested divorce or full representation when the issues are contested.

The Case Designation Sheet the county still requires. Even though Allen routes divorce filings to the Ohio Supreme Court standardized DR forms, the county still requires its own Case Designation Sheet on top, alongside the Uniform Affidavit of Income and Expenses and the Affidavit of Property. We file the complete set so the Clerk opens your case instead of returning it for a missing local cover sheet.
Built around the 42-day hearing window. After service, an Allen County divorce is not set for its first hearing until 42 days have run. We use that window to finalize your financial affidavits — and with children, the child-support worksheet and IV-D Application — so nothing stalls your first hearing date once it is scheduled.
A plan when your spouse can't be found. If your spouse cannot be located, we ask for service by posting under DR Loc.R. 2.10, which runs at the Courthouse plus the Clerk's Title Office on N. Elizabeth St. or the Municipal Hall of Justice on N. Union St. for six consecutive weeks, so a default divorce can still move forward instead of stalling.

We work the Lima courthouse day in and day out — the Clerk's $375 deposit and $20-per-person service fees, the standardized DR forms Allen routes you to, and the A-OK parenting class (about $30, three hours online) that must be finished before a final hearing when there are minor children. One flat fee is approved up front for straightforward filings, with payment plans available and full representation on standby for contested property, support, or custody fights.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the correct complaint packet for your situation; you appear at any hearings yourself.

Complaint for Divorce: $1,250
With temporary orders: $1,750
With minor children: $1,750
With children + temporary orders: $2,000

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your divorce case or see payment plans & financing.

Ohio Divorce by the Numbers

6 months Ohio residency required before you can file Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
90 days Residency in the county of filing (venue) Source: Ohio Civ. R. 3
30–90 days Typical time to finalize an uncontested dissolution Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.64
1 year Living separate and apart that qualifies as no-fault grounds Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01

Compare Your Options for Ending a Marriage in Ohio

Path	Ends the marriage?	Agreement required?	Best when
Dissolution	Yes	Yes — on every term before filing	Both spouses agree on everything and want the fastest, lowest-cost path
Divorce (contested)	Yes	No	Spouses disagree on property, support, or parenting and need a judge to decide
Divorce (uncontested / default)	Yes	No	One spouse will not respond or cannot be located
Legal separation	No — you stay married	Optional	You need court orders but must stay married (religion, insurance, or benefits)
Annulment	Treated as never valid	No	The marriage was never legally valid (fraud, bigamy, underage, or incapacity)

Where to File: Allen County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

301 N. Main St., Lima, OH 45801
Phone: (419) 223-8513
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Clerk of Courts)
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Allen County Juvenile & Probate Court (Juvenile Division)
1000 Wardhill Ave, Lima, OH 45805
Phone: (419) 227-5531
Hours: Clerk's office 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM

Divorce is the right path if…

You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, property, debt, or support).
Your spouse won't sign paperwork, won't communicate, or can't be located.
You need temporary orders now — for support, parenting time, or exclusive use of the home.
You (the plaintiff) have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and can establish Allen County venue.

If you and your spouse already agree on every issue in writing, a dissolution is usually faster at the same court. Compare divorce vs. dissolution.

Filing Fees

$375 DR complaint/petition deposit · +$25 temporary-orders motion · +$450 custody/home-study investigation · +$20 per person for service · deposits against costs, not flat totals — confirm with the Clerk at (419) 223-8513

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — $375 deposit

File with the Allen County Clerk of Courts. Use the standardized Ohio Supreme Court DR forms plus the county Case Designation Sheet.

Case Designation Sheet (Allen County Clerk of Courts) — Required county cover sheet that states the nature of your Domestic Relations filing (e.g., Divorce with Children, Legal Separation) under DR Loc.R. 3.01 / 20.01(B).
Complaint for Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 6) — Opens your divorce case and tells the court what you're asking for. Use when you and your spouse have no minor children together.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Decree of Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 14) — Proposed final order ending the marriage. Prepare in advance; the Judge signs it at the final hearing.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — $375 deposit

Add the UCCJEA and health-insurance affidavits, the child-support worksheet, a parenting plan, and a IV-D Application. Register for the A-OK parenting class after filing.

Case Designation Sheet (Allen County Clerk of Courts) — Required county cover sheet that states the nature of your Domestic Relations filing (e.g., Divorce with Children, Legal Separation) under DR Loc.R. 3.01 / 20.01(B).
Complaint for Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 7) — The divorce Complaint used when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Allen County CSEA IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Required before any support order issues in Allen County (DR Loc.R. 20.01(C)). Opens a IV-D case so CSEA can collect and enforce support through wage withholding.
Decree of Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 15) — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children.

Shared parenting add-on

Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G).

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.

Temporary orders add-on packet

File under Civ. R. 75(N) with current income and property affidavits attached; the $25 temporary-orders fee applies.

Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach a current Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) and Affidavit 2 (Property).
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.

How to File Divorce in Allen County

Confirm Ohio residency and Allen County venue. The plaintiff must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), with proper Allen County venue.
Pick your grounds. Ohio recognizes no-fault grounds (living separate and apart for 1 year, or incompatibility unless denied) and fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, and others).
Complete the standardized DR forms. Fill out the Complaint (Form 6 or 7), Affidavit of Income and Expenses, Affidavit of Property, and the Case Designation Sheet; add the UCCJEA and health-insurance affidavits, worksheet, parenting plan, and IV-D Application if you have children.
File with the Clerk and pay the $375 deposit. File at the Allen County Clerk of Courts, 301 N. Main St., Lima, and request service on your spouse (certified mail, then personal/residence service or posting/publication if needed).
Finish the A-OK class and wait for the hearing. Complete the 3-hour A-OK parenting class (if you have children) and file the Notice of Completion. After service, the case is set for an uncontested or pretrial hearing after 42 days (Loc.R. 20.03).

Allen County Practice Notes

Allen routes to the standardized statewide forms. The Clerk's "Forms (Now Fillable)" page sends divorce filings to the Ohio Supreme Court standardized DR forms rather than hosting a local divorce packet. The county still requires its Case Designation Sheet, the Uniform Affidavit of Income and Expenses, the Affidavit of Property, the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, the Health Insurance Affidavit (Loc.R. 20.01(E)–(F)), and a signed IV-D Application before any support order (Loc.R. 20.01(C)).
A-OK parenting class is mandatory with children. DR Loc.R. 20.01(H) requires the Court's parenting program — Assisting Our Kids (A-OK), the 3-hour online class (about $30) — before the final hearing in any case with minor children. Register after filing and file the Notice of Completion.
Service by posting when a spouse can't be found. For an uncontested/default divorce where the spouse can't be located, service by posting runs at the Courthouse plus the Clerk's Title Office (419 N. Elizabeth St.) or the Municipal Hall of Justice (109 N. Union St.) for six consecutive weeks (DR Loc.R. 2.10).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Allen County?: For a divorce, legal separation, or annulment, the plaintiff must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), plus Allen County venue. The case is filed in the Domestic Relations Division through the Allen County Clerk of Courts at 301 N. Main St., Lima.
How much does it cost to file a Domestic Relations case in Allen County?: The 2026 Appendix A deposit for a DR complaint or petition (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment) is $375.00. Add $25.00 for a temporary-orders motion, $450.00 if a custody/home-study investigation is ordered, and $20.00 per person for personal or out-of-county service. These are deposits against court costs, not flat totals — confirm the current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 223-8513 before filing.
Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Allen County?: No. A dissolution is a jointly filed, fully agreed case with a hearing set after both spouses sign a complete agreement. An "uncontested" divorce is a default-style divorce where the other spouse cannot be found or won't participate, and the case proceeds on the filing spouse's evidence after service (including, where necessary, service by posting under DR Loc.R. 2.10). They are different cases with different forms.
Is a parenting class required, and which one does Allen County use?: Yes. Under R.C. 3109.053 and DR Loc.R. 20.01(H), litigants in divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and R.C. 3111 parentage cases — plus certain post-decree movants — must complete the Court's required parenting program before the final hearing and file a Notice of Completion. Allen County uses Assisting Our Kids (A-OK), the required 3-hour online course (about $30) at assistingourkids.com.
How do temporary orders work in Allen County?: File a motion for temporary orders with a supporting affidavit and the $25.00 fee (DR Loc.R. 20.04). The responding party has 14 days to respond and the matter is deemed submitted at 21 days. A Civ.R. 75(N) request to modify a journalized temporary support order must be filed within 14 (+3) days, with a hearing set within 28 days. For ex parte restraining orders, the affidavit must show specific grounds; if granted, the order is served by certified mail and the affected party can request an oral hearing within 14 days.

Free Local Resources in Allen County

Allen County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (419) 223-8513 or visit https://clerkofcourts.allencountyohio.com before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Allen County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Allen County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.

Related to your divorce case

Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on divorce and related Ohio family law topics.

How to File for Divorce in Ohio: A Step-by-Step Guide — Filing for divorce in Ohio follows a defined path: confirm residency, choose your grounds, file the complaint, serve your spouse, and work toward temporary orders and a final decree. Here is how each step works.
Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio: Which Path Is Right for You? — Divorce and dissolution both end an Ohio marriage, but they work very differently. Dissolution is a no-fault, agreed process; divorce is a lawsuit for couples who can't agree. Here's how to choose.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Ohio? — The cost of an Ohio divorce ranges widely depending on conflict and complexity. Here's what drives the price — court fees, attorney fees, experts — and how to keep it manageable.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Ohio? — There is no single answer to how long an Ohio divorce takes — an agreed dissolution can finish in a couple of months, while a contested divorce may run a year or more. Here's what drives the timeline.

More Allen County family-law resources

Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Allen County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Allen County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Understand the cost

Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio — How the two paths compare on agreement, timeline, and cost.
Ohio Divorce Cost & Timeline by Path — Compare cost and timeline across every path to ending a marriage.
Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce in Ohio — What each path means for your timeline and total cost.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.