Filing for Divorce with Children in Clermont County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
File for divorce with minor children in the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division. Step-by-step guidance, 8 required forms, $400 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.
Clermont County's Domestic Relations Division sits at 2340 Clermont Center Drive in Batavia, with its own court website at domesticcourt.org that organizes every form two ways — by number and by name. Two things catch self-represented filers off guard: the Clerk of Courts takes cash, check, or money order only (no credit cards), and the local rules require the court's approval before you can file a petition for dissolution. Filing deposits are $400 for a divorce with children ($325 without); a dissolution is $350 with children ($300 without).
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) |
Clermont County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division
2340 Clermont Center Drive, Suite 200, Batavia, OH 45103Phone: (513) 732-7327
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: domesticcourt.org
e-Filing: Clermont County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations)
Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations), 2340 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia, OH 45103 — (513) 732-7832 • domesticclerkofcourts@clermontcountyohio.gov.
Filing Fees
$400 divorce with children • $325 without children • Dissolution: $350 with children, $300 without
Payment methods: The Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations) accepts cash, check, or money order only — no credit cards. Make checks payable to Common Pleas Clerk of Courts.
Clermont County Procedure Quirks
- Local rules require the court's approval before you file a petition for dissolution.
- The DR Clerk does not take credit cards — bring cash, a check, or a money order (payable to Common Pleas Clerk of Courts).
- DVCPO petitions must be filed by 2:30 p.m.; the Clerk will not accept them later in the day.
- Pleadings that don't require a deposit or filing fee may be submitted by fax.
Parenting Class
Required parenting seminar — Clermont County DR Court-approved provider (https://domesticcourt.org/parenting-seminars/)
Required for parents with minor children before the final hearing. Details and registration are on the court's Parenting Seminars page.
Clermont County Juvenile Court
2340 Clermont Center Drive, Suite 100, Batavia, OH 45103Phone: (513) 732-7696
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (window closed for lunch 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.)
Website: probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov
Handles custody, parenting time, and child support for never-married parents, plus delinquency, unruly, and abuse/neglect/dependency cases. Accepts cash, check, money order, and credit/debit (convenience fees apply).
Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile
Clermont keeps both courts on the same Batavia campus at 2340 Clermont Center Drive: the Domestic Relations Division (Suite 200) handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment for married couples, while the Juvenile Court (Suite 100) handles custody, parenting time, and child support for never-married parents.
Free Local Resources in Clermont County
- Forms by Form Number / by Name. The DR Court publishes every form two ways — organized by number and by name — at domesticcourt.org.
- Costs & Filing Fees. Current deposit schedule at domesticcourt.org/costs-and-filing-fees.
- Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. (513) 241-9400 — income-qualified family-law help. Clermont County Bar Lawyer Referral: (513) 732-2050.
Other Clermont County Court Services
Domestic Violence & Dating Violence Protection Orders
A Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31 can require an abuser to stay away, surrender firearms, and (when needed) leave the home, and it can include temporary custody. In Clermont County, CPO petitions are filed at the Domestic Relations Court, 2340 Clermont Center Drive, Suite 200, Batavia. There is no filing fee, but the Clerk does not accept CPO petitions after 2:30 p.m.
- DV CPO Packet With Children
- DV CPO Packet Without Children
- Dating Violence CPO Packet
- Checklist — Petition for DVCPO
After filing you wait for a same-day ex parte hearing; if granted, the ex parte order lists a hearing date and an expiration date. The full hearing is set within 7–10 business days, and a final CPO can last up to 5 years. Use the with-children packet if you need temporary custody terms.
Clermont County Probate Court
2379 Clermont Center Dr, Batavia, OH 45103Phone: (513) 732-7243
Website: probatejuvenile.clermontcountyohio.gov/probate-court
Forms: All probate forms
Adoptions, name changes, guardianships, and marriage licenses are handled by Probate Court — a separate division from Domestic Relations. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.).
Guardian ad Litem, Parenting Coordinator & Mediation
When a case involves children or high conflict, the Domestic Relations Court can appoint a Guardian ad Litem to investigate the children's best interest or refer the parties to court mediation.
Guardian ad Litem (GAL)
Under Sup.R. 48, the Court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) from its roster to protect the children's best interest — gathering and assessing information, building an ongoing relationship with the children, and advocating for their best interest until the case ends.
Deposit: $1,500 deposit (paid by one parent or split) plus $125/hour for billable time and expenses
Clermont County DR Mediation
The Court may order mediation for parenting disputes or property issues with a neutral mediator. Sessions run about 2 hours, most cases finish in 1–3 sessions, all communications are confidential, and there is no charge for mediation conducted at the Court.
Required divorce-with-children packet (8 forms)
- Complaint for Divorce with Children — The Ohio Supreme Court uniform complaint that starts your case and lists what you want the court to decide for you and your children.
- Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Your income and monthly bills — required financial disclosure filed with the complaint.
- Affidavit of Property — Lists what you own and owe — house, vehicles, accounts, retirement, and debts.
- Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA) — The children's 5-year address history, required in every case involving minor children.
- Health Insurance Affidavit — Confirms who provides health insurance for the children and the cost.
- Child Support Worksheet Information — Clermont local worksheet that captures the figures used to calculate guideline child support.
- Property Classification Form — Clermont local form separating marital from separate property for the court.
- CSE Account Information Sheet (IV-D) — Opens your case with the Child Support Enforcement Agency — required when children are involved.
Temporary orders while your case is pending
Clermont decides temporary support and parenting orders on the affidavits filed with the Ohio Supreme Court motion. Either party can request a hearing before the Magistrate if they disagree with the proposed temporary orders.
- Motion and Affidavit for Temporary Orders — Requests temporary child support, parenting time, spousal support, and related orders while the case is pending.
- Guideline Parenting Schedule — Clermont's standard parenting-time schedule, used as the default unless the parents agree otherwise.
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 (513) 643-1969 or email support@gavvl.com.
