Filing for Divorce with Children in Brown County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
File for divorce with minor children in the Brown County Common Pleas Court — Domestic Relations Division. Step-by-step guidance, 7 required forms, ~$250 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.
Brown County's Common Pleas Court — Domestic Relations Division at 101 S. Main Street in Georgetown charges one of the lowest filing fees in Ohio: $250 for a divorce with children. The court also offers court-appointed attorney mediation ($300 per party) where discussions stay confidential and inadmissible at trial — a route many Brown County families use to avoid a contested final hearing.
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) |
Brown County Common Pleas Court — Domestic Relations Division
101 South Main Street, 1st Floor, Georgetown, OH 45121Phone: (937) 378-3100
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
101 S. Main Street, Georgetown — Domestic Relations on the first floor.
Filing Fees
$250 divorce with children (one of the lowest in Ohio)
Brown County Procedure Quirks
- Among the lowest filing fees in Ohio: $250 for a divorce with children.
- Brown County offers court-appointed attorney mediation at $300 per party. Discussions are confidential and inadmissible at trial.
- Magistrate's Order 75(I) is the automatic restraining order issued at filing — preventing harassment, hiding money, or emptying marital accounts.
- Temporary orders can be requested via Mot. H, which gets an oral hearing in front of the Magistrate.
- E-filing available — see Local Rule 3.
Parenting Class
Court-approved parenting class — Approved providers
Required for parents with minor children before the final hearing.
Brown County Probate and Juvenile Court
510 E. State Street, Suite 1, Georgetown, OH 45121Phone: (937) 378-6726 (general) • (937) 378-6549 (credit-card payments, 3% fee)
Website: Juvenile court website
Combined Probate and Juvenile Court. Accepts cash, money order, or credit card. Forms may be mailed or dropped off in person at the Georgetown courthouse.
Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile
Brown splits across two Georgetown buildings: Common Pleas — DR Division at 101 S. Main Street (1st Floor) for divorces and dissolutions; Probate and Juvenile Court at 510 E. State Street (Suite 1) for never-married-parent custody/support and juvenile matters.
Free Local Resources in Brown County
- Court-Appointed Attorney Mediator. $300 per party. Mediation discussions are confidential and inadmissible at trial. If you reach agreement, your settlement becomes binding.
Required divorce-with-children packet (7 forms)
- Complaint for Divorce with Children — The main document that starts your case and lists what you're asking the court to decide.
- Affidavit of Income & Expense — Your income and monthly bills. Submit with your 3 most recent paystubs.
- Affidavit of Property & Debt — Lists what you own and owe — house, vehicles, accounts, retirement, debts.
- Request for Service — Tells the court how to deliver papers to your spouse (mail, sheriff, etc.).
- Magistrate's Order 75(I) (automatic restraining order) — Automatic order — neither party can harass the other, hide money, or empty marital accounts.
- Motion & Affidavit for Temporary Orders (without oral hearing) — Requests temporary orders by submission only (no in-person hearing). The most common option in Brown County.
- Motion for Temporary Orders & Affidavit (with hearing) — Requests temporary orders with an oral hearing in front of the Magistrate.
Temporary orders while your case is pending
Brown County's Order 75(I) is an automatic restraining order issued at filing — no harassment, no hiding money. Separately, the Motion for Temporary Orders requests parenting time, support, and other rules while the case is pending, either by submission only or with an oral hearing.
- Magistrate's Order 75(I) (automatic restraining order) — Automatic order — neither party can harass the other, hide money, or empty marital accounts.
- Motion & Affidavit for Temporary Orders (without oral hearing) — Requests temporary orders by submission only (no in-person hearing).
Related guides
In-depth, attorney-written guides on divorce, custody, 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.
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 (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
