Domestic Violence Protection Orders in Ashland County

Where to File: Ashland County Common Pleas Court - Domestic Relations Division

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You are a family or household member, or in a dating relationship, and need protection from an abuser.
• You need immediate, no-fee relief that can include no-contact and removing the respondent from the home.
• You want temporary parenting or support terms included in the order.
• You need same-day service so the order takes effect quickly.

Filing Fees

No filing-fee deposit (LR 20.04(B)) · same-day service of every order (LR 20.04(D)) · same-day ex parte hearing, full hearing within 7–10 court days, final CPO up to 5 years · call Heather Adkins (419) 282-4290 before coming · mediation prohibited for CPO issues

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Ashland County

1. Call the CPO Judicial Assistant. Call Heather Adkins at (419) 282-4290 first to learn the walk-in window and same-day cutoff before going to the courthouse.
2. Complete the Supreme Court petition. Use the Ohio Supreme Court-mandated protection-order petition (available on request from the court); attach instructions for service on the respondent.
3. Add parenting/support paperwork if needed. Include Affidavit 3, Affidavit 1, and a Child Support Computation Worksheet to request temporary parenting and support terms.
4. Attend the ex parte hearing. File at 142 West 2nd Street (no fee) and attend the same-day ex parte hearing; the Clerk serves the order the day it's journalized, and a full hearing follows within 7–10 court days.

Ashland County Practice Notes

• No fee, same-day service. The Clerk cannot charge a filing-fee deposit for a DVCPO petition, and every civil protection order is issued for service the same day it is journalized (LR 20.04(B), (D)). Costs may be assessed to a party only at the end if a statute permits.
• Call before you come. Ashland's intake logistics — the walk-in window and the daily cutoff for same-day ex parte hearings — are not published. Call the DR/CPO Judicial Assistant, Heather Adkins, at (419) 282-4290 before coming so you arrive in time for a same-day ex parte hearing. Initial CPO filings may be on paper with court approval (LR 8.03(J)(2)).
• Parenting and support can be included; mediation cannot. Request parenting orders in the petition with Affidavit 3, Affidavit 1, and a child-support worksheet (LR 20.04(A)). Mediation cannot be used as an alternative to adjudicating domestic violence or to decide whether to grant, modify, or terminate a CPO (LR 17.02(B)).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a protection order cost anything to file in Ashland County?

No. The Clerk cannot charge a filing-fee deposit for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order petition (LR 20.04(B)). The court can assess costs to a party at the end of the case only if a statute permits.

How fast does a CPO reach the respondent in Ashland County?

The Clerk issues every civil protection order for service the same day it is journalized (LR 20.04(D)). Statewide practice under R.C. 3113.31 is a same-day ex parte hearing, with a full hearing within 7 or 10 court days; a final CPO can last up to five years.

How do I start a DVCPO in Ashland County?

File the Supreme Court-mandated protection-order petition (available on request from the court). Ashland's intake logistics — the walk-in window and the daily cutoff for same-day ex parte hearings — are not published, so call the DR/CPO Judicial Assistant, Heather Adkins, at (419) 282-4290 before coming to the courthouse. Initial CPO filings may be on paper with court approval.

Can an Ashland CPO cover my kids and support?

Yes. Request parenting orders in the petition and include the UDRF Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3), the Affidavit of Basic Information, Income and Expenses (Affidavit 1), and a Child Support Computation Worksheet (LR 20.04(A)). Mediation cannot be used to decide protection-order issues (LR 17.02(B)).

Free Local Resources in Ashland County

• Ashland County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (419) 282-4242 or visit https://ashlandcommonpleas.com before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
• Ashland County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Ashland 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.

Other Family-Law Topics in Ashland County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Ashland County custody attorney for help with your case.

Related to your protection orders case

• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.

Related guides

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

• Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.
• Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.

Keep exploring

• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
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