Champaign County Divorce Attorneys

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

Champaign County, Ohio · Urbana

A Champaign County divorce is an adversarial action (Plaintiff v. Defendant) filed at the combined Champaign County Family Court, 200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana. One of two judges — Brett A. Gilbert or Lori L. Reisinger — is assigned at random and keeps the case ("one judge, one family"). The 2026 deposit is $450, the county uses its own local DR forms, and if your spouse can't be found, service is by posting and mail at three named local bulletin boards.

Hire Gavvl for your Champaign County divorce case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Champaign 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 Champaign County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Divorce (with or without children) plus a Request for Service, an Affidavit of Income and Expenses, and an Affidavit of Property, along with the Family Court Cover Sheet and Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers (single-sided), at the Champaign County Family Court in Urbana. The deposit is $450. With minor children, also file the local Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, and an Application for Child Support Services. The plaintiff must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months (R.C. 3105.03). If your spouse can't be found, service is by posting and mail at the Courthouse, Community Center, and Urbana Municipal Building bulletin boards at least 7 days before the hearing.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Champaign County divorce

A Champaign County divorce is an adversarial case decided at the combined Family Court on the 3rd floor of 200 North Main Street in Urbana, where one of two judges is assigned at random and keeps your family for good under "one judge, one family." Gavvl Law assembles the $450 deposit packet the Clerk will accept on the first pass, and offers a flat fee for a clean filing or full representation when custody, property, or support are genuinely contested.

The local DR packet, built to be accepted. The county runs on its own Domestic Relations forms, not the statewide set: the with- or without-children Complaint, a Request for Service, an Affidavit of Income and Expenses, and an Affidavit of Property, all printed single-sided under the Cover Sheet and Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers. We complete the correct versions so your case number issues the day you walk in.
Service by posting when a spouse vanishes. If your spouse can't be found but has a last known address, Champaign publishes by posting and mailing to the Courthouse, the Community Center, and the Urbana Municipal Building bulletin boards at least seven days before the hearing. We prepare that request so a missing spouse never stops your divorce.
Ready for the coin-flip property call. This court does not divide marital personal property item by item; disputed belongings are chosen alternately after a coin flip at the final hearing. We build you a prioritized list ahead of time so you leave with the things that matter most, not whatever the flip happens to hand you.

If the $450 deposit is out of reach, Ohio's poverty affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) waives it, and an Answer costs $0 while a Counterclaim runs $100. We match every filing to the fee schedule at the Clerk's counter, (937) 484-1027, so nothing bounces back for the wrong form or the wrong fee.

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: Champaign County Family Court (Domestic Relations–Juvenile–Probate Division)

200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays)
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Champaign County Family Court (Juvenile side)
200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1027
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed holidays)

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 use of the home.
You (the plaintiff) have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and have Champaign 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

$450 divorce deposit · Answer $0 · Counterclaim $100 · personal-service request $50 · deposits against costs, not flat totals — confirm with the Clerk at (937) 484-1027

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — $450 deposit

File the without-children complaint with the universal cover forms, a Request for Service, and the income and property affidavits.

Family Court Cover Sheet — Required cover sheet for every initial Champaign County Family Court filing. Must be printed single-sided.
Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers — Required in every case so personal identifiers stay out of the public record (the filer must redact under Sup. R. 45). Printed single-sided.
Complaint for Divorce without Children — Opens an adversarial divorce when there are no minor children of the marriage.
Request for Service — Tells the Clerk how to serve the other party (certified mail, personal service, or — with a last known address — posting and mail at the three local bulletin boards).
Affidavit of Income and Expenses (Champaign County local) — Champaign County's local income, expense, and financial-information affidavit. Each party files their own.
Affidavit of Property (Champaign County local) — Lists every asset and debt of the marriage. Required at filing.
Decree of Divorce Without Children — Proposed final order ending the marriage when there are no minor children. Agreed entries must state how court costs are allocated.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — $450 deposit

Add the Parenting Proceeding and Health Insurance affidavits and an Application for Child Support Services so the court can address custody, parenting time, and support.

Family Court Cover Sheet — Required cover sheet for every initial Champaign County Family Court filing. Must be printed single-sided.
Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers — Required in every case so personal identifiers stay out of the public record (the filer must redact under Sup. R. 45). Printed single-sided.
Complaint for Divorce with Children — Opens an adversarial divorce when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child support.
Request for Service — Tells the Clerk how to serve the other party (certified mail, personal service, or — with a last known address — posting and mail at the three local bulletin boards).
Affidavit of Income and Expenses (Champaign County local) — Champaign County's local income, expense, and financial-information affidavit. Each party files their own.
Affidavit of Property (Champaign County local) — Lists every asset and debt of the marriage. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Champaign County local) — Required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Champaign County local) — 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.
Application for Child Support Services (Champaign County) — Opens a IV-D case with the Champaign County CSEA so support can be collected and enforced. Filed in any case where the court sets child support.
Decree of Divorce with Children — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children. Any child-support provision must state a support and cash-medical amount (even if zero) with a worksheet attached.

Temporary orders add-on

File the Motion/Affidavit for Temporary Orders with your financial affidavits to set interim custody, parenting time, support, or use of the home while the case is pending.

Motion/Affidavit or Counter Affidavit for Temporary Orders — Asks the court for interim custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or use of property while a DR case is pending. The other party can respond with a counter-affidavit.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses (Champaign County local) — Champaign County's local income, expense, and financial-information affidavit. Each party files their own.

How to File Divorce in Champaign County

Confirm residency and venue. The plaintiff must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), with Champaign County venue.
Complete the local DR forms. Fill out the with- or without-children Complaint, the Request for Service, Affidavit of Income and Expenses, and Affidavit of Property; add the Parenting Proceeding and Health Insurance affidavits if you have children. Attach the Cover Sheet and Confidential Disclosure (single-sided).
File and pay the $450 deposit. File at the Champaign County Family Court, 200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, and request service on your spouse (certified mail, then posting/mail or newspaper publication if needed).
Handle temporary orders and the hearing. File a Motion/Affidavit for Temporary Orders if you need interim relief, then attend the hearing where the judge signs the matching Decree of Divorce.

Champaign County Practice Notes

Service by posting and mail at three local bulletin boards. When a spouse can't be found but there's a last known address, Champaign County service by publication is by posting and mail — at the Champaign County Courthouse, the Champaign County Community Center, and the Urbana Municipal Building bulletin boards — at least 7 days before the hearing (Civ. R. 4.4). With no address, service is by newspaper publication. This local posting rule is a quirk to get right.
The court won't divide marital personal property. Champaign County does not divide marital personal property item-by-item. Disputed items are chosen alternately after a coin flip at the final hearing, so come prepared with a prioritized list of what matters most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Champaign 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), with proper Champaign County venue. The case is filed at the Champaign County Family Court, 200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana. A dissolution also requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
How much does it cost to file a Domestic Relations case in Champaign County?: The Family Court charges $450 for a divorce, annulment, or legal separation, and $350 for a dissolution. An Answer is $0, a Counterclaim is $100, and converting a dissolution to a divorce is $100. Reopening a case or filing an issue not currently before the court is $250. These are deposits due at filing; confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 484-1027. A fee waiver is available by filing the Ohio Supreme Court poverty affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency).
Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Champaign County?: No. A dissolution is a joint, fully-agreed filing where both spouses sign a Separation Agreement before filing and both appear at a hearing 30–90 days later (R.C. 3105.64). An "uncontested" divorce is a divorce that proceeds like a default because the other spouse can't be found or won't participate. They use different forms and different fees — $350 for a dissolution versus $450 for a divorce.
What if I can't find my spouse for a Champaign County divorce?: You can still get divorced. If there is a last known address, service by publication in Champaign County is by posting and mail — the notice is posted at the Champaign County Courthouse, the Champaign County Community Center, and the Urbana Municipal Building bulletin boards, and mailed, at least 7 days before the hearing. If there is no address, service is by newspaper publication. The case then proceeds on your evidence (Civ. R. 4.4).
Where do I file a family-law case in Champaign County?: All Champaign County family-law cases — divorce, dissolution, custody, support, paternity, protection orders, and adoption — are filed at one combined court: the Champaign County Family Court (Domestic Relations–Juvenile–Probate Division), 200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078, Clerk's Office (937) 484-1027. This is separate from the General Division of Common Pleas, which handles felonies and general civil cases and is not where family law is filed.

Free Local Resources in Champaign County

Champaign County Family Court Clerk's Office. 200 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Urbana, OH 43078. Phone (937) 484-1027 / (937) 484-1028; fax (937) 484-1026; email clerks@ccfamct.us. Hours Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Clerks can check that the right blanks are filled in but cannot give legal advice. Online records (eServices): https://eservices.champaigncountyfamilycourt.com.
Champaign County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Champaign County Department of Job & Family Services / CSEA, 1512 S. US Hwy 68, Ste. N100, Urbana, OH 43078. Phone (937) 484-1500; website https://www.champaigndjfs.org. Establishes, collects, and enforces support and can establish paternity administratively.
Champaign County Law Library. Located on the basement level of the Champaign County Court of Common Pleas, open Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Self-represented parties can research the law there.
Children Services (abuse / neglect). Report concerns during business hours at (937) 484-1500 (ask for Children Services Intake); after hours/holidays call the Champaign County Dispatch Center at (937) 653-3409. Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.

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 Champaign County family-law resources

Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Champaign County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Champaign 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.