Clark County Legal Separation Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026

Clark County, Ohio · Springfield

A Clark County legal separation follows the same process as a divorce — one spouse files a complaint, the other is served, and the court resolves property, debt, support, and (if applicable) parenting. The only difference is that at the end, the marriage stays legally intact. The parties live separate and apart, but remain husband and wife. Either party can later convert the case into a divorce by motion.

Hire Gavvl for your Clark County legal separation case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Clark 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 legal separation in Clark County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Legal Separation at the Clark County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, 101 North Limestone Street, Springfield, OH 45502. Clark County uses the same Ohio Supreme Court standardized complaint forms as divorce (Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children) — you simply change the caption from "Divorce" to "Legal Separation." Same residency rules apply: 6 months in Ohio and 90 days in Clark County. Call the Clerk at (937) 521-1753 for the current deposit.

Put a flat-fee attorney on your Clark County legal separation

A Clark County legal separation runs the same course as a divorce — complaint, service, and orders on property, debt, support, and parenting — but the marriage stays legally intact at the end. Clark publishes no separate legal-separation form: you file the Ohio Supreme Court divorce complaint (Form 6 or Form 7) with the caption changed to Legal Separation, meet the six-month Ohio and 90-day Clark residency rules, and pay a deposit the Clerk sets at (937) 521-1753. Gavvl Law drafts the caption and pleadings correctly and quotes one flat fee approved up front.

The caption change done right. Because Clark uses the divorce forms with the word changed to Legal Separation, a sloppy caption or body can read as a divorce complaint by mistake. We relabel the caption and every operative paragraph so the court grants a separation — not the outcome you were trying to avoid.
Protecting the reason you chose separation. Many Clark separations are filed so one spouse can stay on the other's employer health plan, but some policies treat separation like a divorce. We flag that with you before filing and preserve the tax, religious, or benefit reason you picked separation over ending the marriage.
Keeping the door to divorce open. Either party can later move to convert a legal separation into a divorce without starting over. We build the file so a future conversion is a motion, not a refiling — and we handle contested support, property, and parenting the same way a divorce would.

The same Domestic Relations judges and magistrates who hear Clark divorces — Judge Thomas J. Capper at 101 N. Limestone Street and Magistrates Ringler and Phillips at the A.B. Graham Building on 31 N. Limestone — decide separations too. We prepare you for that court, meet the six-month Ohio and 90-day Clark residency rules, and offer payment plans on a flat fee.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file your legal separation complaint so you can divide finances while staying legally married. You appear at any hearings yourself.

Legal separation (no children): $1,750
Legal separation with children: $2,300

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 legal separation case or see payment plans & financing.

Ohio Legal Separation by the Numbers

Stay married A legal separation decree does not end the marriage — neither spouse may remarry Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17
No residency rule Unlike a divorce, a legal separation has no 6-month Ohio residency requirement before filing Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
Full orders The court can divide property and order spousal support, custody, and child support Source: Ohio Revised Code §§ 3105.171, 3105.18
Can convert A legal separation does not stop either spouse from later filing for divorce Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Ohio

Question	Legal separation	Divorce
Are you still legally married?	Yes — you stay married	No — the marriage ends
Can you remarry afterward?	No	Yes
Divides marital property and debts?	Yes	Yes
Can it order support, custody, and parenting time?	Yes	Yes
Ohio residency required to file?	Not required	6 months in Ohio
Can it later become a divorce?	Yes — either spouse can still file	It already ends the marriage

Where to File: Clark County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations (Adult Section)

101 North Limestone Street, Springfield, OH 45502
Phone: (937) 521-1753
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: Court website

Legal Separation is the right path if…

Religious beliefs prevent divorce, but you need court-ordered support, parenting time, or property division.
One spouse needs to remain on the other's health insurance and would lose coverage in a divorce.
You want time apart with court orders in place before deciding whether to divorce.
There are tax or Social Security benefit reasons to keep the marriage legally intact.

If you want to end the marriage entirely, file a Divorce instead — the forms and process are nearly identical. See Clark County divorce.

Filing Fees

Deposit set by Clerk · Call (937) 521-1753 · Same residency rules as divorce (6 months Ohio + 90 days Clark)

Forms & Filing Packets

Core legal-separation packet (no minor children) — Deposit set by Clerk — call (937) 521-1753

Complaint for Legal Separation Without Children (Supreme Court Form 6 — relabel caption) — Clark County uses the same Ohio SC complaint form as divorce — just change the caption from "Divorce" to "Legal Separation." Files in DR at 101 N. Limestone St.
Affidavit of Income, Expenses & Financial Disclosure (Affidavit 1) — Must be notarized. Required at filing in every Clark DR case. Both parties file their own.
Affidavit of Property (Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing alongside the Income Affidavit.

Core legal-separation packet (with minor children) — Deposit set by Clerk — call (937) 521-1753

Complaint for Legal Separation With Children (Supreme Court Form 7 — relabel caption) — Same Form 7 used for divorce-with-children; caption is changed to "Legal Separation." Adds the custody, parenting-time, and child-support allegations.
Affidavit of Income, Expenses & Financial Disclosure (Affidavit 1) — Must be notarized. Required at filing in every Clark DR case. Both parties file their own.
Affidavit of Property (Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing alongside the Income Affidavit.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3 — UCCJEA, R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set support.
Sole-Residential Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian. Sets parenting time, decision-making, and exchanges.

Shared parenting add-on

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

Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents and legal custodians under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.

Temporary orders add-on packet

Same Civ. R. 75(N) process as divorce. Attach current financial affidavits with the motion.

Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the Magistrate for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Clark County may set an oral hearing under Civ. R. 75(N). Contact the Clerk at (937) 521-1753 for the local cover-sheet format. Tip: Attach current Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 — incomplete financials routinely cause continuances.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set support.

How to File Legal Separation in Clark County

Confirm Ohio + Clark County residency. Same as divorce: 6 months Ohio + 90 days Clark County before filing.
Pick your grounds. Ohio uses the same statutory grounds for legal separation as for divorce (no-fault and fault grounds under R.C. 3105.01). The difference is the outcome — the marriage stays legally intact.
Use the Ohio SC divorce forms with the caption changed. Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children — change "Divorce" to "Legal Separation" in the caption and body.
Add the financial and parenting affidavits. Affidavit 1 (income/expenses, notarized), Affidavit 2 (property), and — if children — Affidavit 3 (UCCJEA), Affidavit 4 (health insurance), the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, and a parenting plan.
File at 101 N. Limestone Street. Pay the deposit set by the Clerk at (937) 521-1753. The case proceeds like a divorce — service, 28-day answer period, and (if contested) discovery and hearings.
Keep the option to convert. If you later decide to end the marriage, file a motion to convert the case into a divorce instead of refiling.

Clark County Practice Notes

Same forms, different caption. Clark County does not publish separate legal-separation forms. Use the Ohio SC divorce complaint forms (Form 6 or Form 7) and change the caption to "Legal Separation."
Either party can convert to divorce. If one spouse later decides to end the marriage, that party can file a motion to convert the legal-separation case into a divorce. You don't have to start over.
Health insurance is a common driver. Many Clark County legal separations are filed specifically so a spouse can stay on the other's employer health plan. Verify with the plan administrator before filing — some employer policies treat legal separation the same as divorce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Clark County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months immediately before filing, and a Clark County resident for at least 90 days. Dissolution requires only the 6-month Ohio residency — there is no separate Clark County residency rule.
How much does it cost to file in Clark County DR?: Dissolution is a $350 deposit (not a flat fee — the balance is refunded after costs). For divorce, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree motions, deposits are set by the Clerk — call (937) 521-1753 for the current amount before filing. CPO petitions are free. Juvenile court charges a $25 non-refundable application fee for court-appointed counsel.
Does Clark County have its own local divorce or dissolution forms?: No. Clark County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment. The Clark County Law Library does not stock pro se forms. The main Clark County Public Library on South Fountain has LawPak's Ohio Dissolution forms at the Reference Desk and access to the Cengage Legal Forms Database with a library card.
Where do hearings actually take place?: Cases are assigned to Hon. Thomas J. Capper at 101 N. Limestone Street, but Magistrates Ann Ringler and Patrick Phillips hold most hearings in the A.B. Graham Building at 31 N. Limestone Street (a separate building one block away). Confirm your location on the hearing notice before you arrive.
How do temporary orders work in Clark County?: Under Civ. R. 75(N), Clark County may set an oral hearing on temporary-orders motions. File a Motion for Temporary Orders with current Affidavit 1 (income/expenses) and Affidavit 2 (property). Contact the Clerk at (937) 521-1753 for the local cover sheet and to find out whether your assigned Magistrate decides on the affidavits or sets a hearing.
Is mediation available in Clark County?: Yes. Clark County offers court-connected mediation for custody, parenting time, and other family-law disputes — including post-decree motions. Either party can request a referral using the Clark County Mediation Referral Form, or the Magistrate can refer sua sponte. Mediation is generally not used in CPO cases involving domestic violence.

Free Local Resources in Clark County

Clark County DR Clerk. 101 N. Limestone Street, Springfield, OH 45502. Phone (937) 521-1753 for filing-fee deposits, copy requirements, and procedural questions.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. Clark County uses these forms for every DR case type — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree modifications. Available at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
Clark County Public Library (Main Branch, S. Fountain Ave.). LawPak Ohio Dissolution forms at the Reference Desk and access to the Cengage Legal Forms Database (library card required).
Clark County Mediation Referral. Court-connected mediation for custody, parenting time, and post-decree disputes. Referral form linked from clarkcountyohio.gov DR forms page.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio. Free civil legal assistance for income-qualifying Clark County residents. Call (877) 894-4599.
Clark County Bar Association. Lawyer referral service. clarkcobar.com.
United Way 2-1-1 (Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties). Free 24/7 referral line for local shelter, advocacy, and social services.

Related to your legal separation case

Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after 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.

Related guides

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

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 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.
Spousal Support in Ohio: How Alimony Is Decided — Ohio has no fixed alimony formula. Courts weigh 14 statutory factors to decide whether spousal support is appropriate, how much, and for how long. Here's how it works.

Keep exploring Clark County family law

Ohio Legal Separation guide — Statewide overview of legal separation in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Clark County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Clark County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
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