Civil Protection Orders in Ashtabula County

Where to File: Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas — General & Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile-Probate Court (Juvenile Division)
4717 Main Ave., Ashtabula, OH 44004, Ashtabula, OH 44004
Phone: (440) 994-6000
Hours: Monday–Friday (email filing at juvenile@ashtabulacounty.us; fax (440) 994-6020)

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You've been harmed or threatened by a family or household member (R.C. 3113.31).
• You need immediate, enforceable protection — no contact, stay-away, or to stay in the home.
• You can describe the most recent incident and the history of abuse under oath.
• You want temporary custody or support terms included while you're protected.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31) · same-day ex parte order possible · full hearing within about 7-10 days · final order up to 5 years · all CPO documents filed in paper (Local Rule 2.5(K)(3))

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Ashtabula County

1. Get to safety and call 911 if in danger. A protection order is a civil remedy; if you're in immediate danger, call 911 first.
2. Complete the DVCPO petition. Use the statewide DV/CPO petition to describe the most recent incident, the history of abuse, and the protection you need.
3. File in paper at the DR Division. File with the Clerk at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson — no filing fee. CPO documents are filed in paper.
4. Attend the ex parte and full hearings. A judge or magistrate can grant an ex parte order the same day; attend the full hearing, usually within about 7-10 days, for a final order up to 5 years.

Ashtabula County Practice Notes

• No fee and a same-day ex parte order. There is no filing fee for a DVCPO petitioner. A judge or magistrate can issue an ex parte order the same day you file, based on your sworn petition; a full hearing follows within roughly 7-10 court days for a longer-term order lasting up to 5 years.
• Protection orders are filed in paper. Under Local Rule 2.5(K)(3), all Civil Protection Order documents are excepted from e-filing and must be filed in paper with the Clerk. The court reports protection orders to BCI/LEADS (Local Rule 7.13).
• Mediation can't decide protection issues. Local Rule 8.1(G) bars mediation as an alternative to handling domestic violence or to decide whether to grant, modify, terminate, or penalize a protection order. A related divorce or custody case proceeds separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a protection order cost anything in Ashtabula County?

No. There is no filing fee for the petitioner of a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31. You file in the General & Domestic Relations Division at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, using the statewide DV/CPO forms. A judge or magistrate can issue an ex parte order the same day, and a full hearing follows — commonly within about 7-10 days — where the court can issue a final order lasting up to 5 years. All CPO documents are filed in paper (Local Rule 2.5(K)(3)). If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Does Ashtabula County have a separate Domestic Relations Court?

No. Ashtabula County has no standalone Domestic Relations Court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, DR post-decree matters, and DVCPOs are all heard by the General & Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas — the same judges (Hon. David A. Schroeder and Hon. Marianne Sezon) who hear general civil and criminal cases, with a Domestic Relations Magistrate hearing many matters. You file at the Clerk of Courts, 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson.

Is mediation required in Ashtabula County family cases?

In every domestic-relations case with children, the parties are referred to mediation for assessment through the court's Family Court Services (also called MCMS), with sessions supported by the Joint Court Mediation Project. A $150 mediation fee is assessed as court costs (Local Rule 8.1(D)). Mediation begins only after both parents complete the New Beginnings class. You can ask to waive mediation by filing a motion attaching a signed parenting agreement. Mediation may never be used to handle domestic-violence or protection-order issues.

Can I get exclusive use of our home during the case?

Yes, in limited circumstances. Under Local Rule 7.2 a Motion for Exclusive Use of Premises, supported by affidavit, may be granted on documented domestic violence or where the other party has already been absent from the home for more than 30 continuous days (for reasons other than employment) before the motion. Ex parte requests must be in writing with a supporting affidavit showing irreparable harm and a proposed entry.

Free Local Resources in Ashtabula County

• Ashtabula County Clerk of Courts (April Daniels). Common Pleas / DR filings, current fees, and local forms at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson. Phone (440) 576-3637, fax (440) 576-2819. E-filing is not yet live — file by fax, mail, or in person.
• Ashtabula County court forms page. All county-local and Ohio Supreme Court forms for DR, Juvenile, and Probate cases: https://courts.ashtabulacounty.gov/courts_forms.htm
• Family Court Services / MCMS (parent education & mediation). Runs the three-hour "New Beginnings" parent-education class, domestic-relations and juvenile mediation, and court-ordered home studies for both courts (through the Juvenile Court). The "New Beginnings" class fee is $40 per person, paid to Family Court Services.
• Ashtabula County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Opens IV-D cases, orders genetic testing, runs wage withholding, and enforces orders. Call center 440-994-1212; https://www.ashtabulacounty.us/350/Child-Support
• Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official 2024 Income Shares worksheet and print it for filing: ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov
• Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Free civil legal help for low-income residents of Ashtabula and neighboring counties.

Other Family-Law Topics in Ashtabula County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Ashtabula 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.
• Cleveland family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cleveland metro.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.