Clinton County Divorce Attorneys
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Clinton County, Ohio · Wilmington
A Clinton County divorce is filed at the Common Pleas Court at 46 South South Street, Suite 304, Wilmington, in front of Hon. Andrew T. McCoy, the General Division judge who hears the county's divorce docket (Clinton's Juvenile and Probate cases are a separate combined court under Judge Chad L. Carey). Clinton County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms plus two local forms (Case Designation and Personal Identifier) that must accompany every new filing. E-filing through efile.henschen.com has been mandatory since January 1, 2024.
Hire Gavvl for your Clinton County divorce case
Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Clinton 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 Clinton County, Ohio?
E-file a Complaint for Divorce (Ohio Supreme Court Form 6 without children or Form 7 with children) through efile.henschen.com with the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas at 46 South South Street, Suite 304, Wilmington, OH 45177. Include the local Case Designation Form and Personal Identifier Form with the complaint. Filing fees are $300 without children and $400 with children. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Clinton County for at least 90 days. Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before a final hearing.
Clinton County divorce, handled by Gavvl Law
A Clinton County divorce is filed at the Court of Common Pleas, 46 South South Street, Suite 304, Wilmington, where Hon. Andrew T. McCoy hears the General Division docket (Juvenile and Probate are a separate combined court under Judge Chad L. Carey). Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service cannot be waived, e-filing through efile.henschen.com is required, and every new case needs the local Case Designation Form and Personal Identifier Form. Gavvl Law files a complete Form 6 or Form 7 packet and drives the case whether your spouse cooperates or not.
- The full packet plus both local cover forms. A Clinton divorce is the Ohio complaint (Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children) plus Affidavit 1, Affidavit 2, and — with children — Affidavit 3, Affidavit 4, the support worksheet, and a parenting plan, all under the Case Designation and Personal Identifier forms. We file it complete so the Clerk does not reject it and the $300 or $400 case gets a number the day you file.
- The 42-day clock and service, managed. A final hearing cannot be set until at least 42 days after service is perfected, and how you serve — certified mail, Sheriff, or process server — decides when that clock actually starts. We choose the service route and calendar the waiting period so the case moves as fast as Ohio law allows.
- Temporary orders and full representation for contested cases. When you need interim support, parenting time, or use of the home, we file Civ. R. 75(N) temporary-order motions with current financial affidavits, and we provide full representation through discovery and trial when your spouse contests. Straightforward cases can be handled for a flat fee approved up front, with payment plans available.
Because Judge McCoy hears civil, criminal, and domestic relations in the General Division, your divorce stays on one hearing calendar instead of bouncing between dockets. At filing an automatic Mutual Restraining Order issues under Appendix 6 of the DR Local Rules — we use that and the county's temporary-order process to keep assets and parenting stable while the case is pending.
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.
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: Clinton County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)
46 South South Street, Suite 304, Wilmington, OH 45177Phone: (937) 382-3640
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: Court website
Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)
Clinton County Juvenile Court
46 South South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone: (937) 382-2391
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Divorce is the right path if…
- You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, money, property, debt, or support).
- Your spouse won't sign paperwork or won't communicate.
- You need temporary orders now — for support, parenting time, or exclusive use of the home.
- You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Clinton County for at least 90 days.
If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a Dissolution is faster and cheaper. See Clinton County dissolution.
Filing Fees
$300 without children · $400 with children · Mandatory e-filing · 42-day waiting period after service before final hearing
Forms & Filing Packets
Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — $300
- Clinton County Case Designation Form (local) — Required with every new domestic relations filing in Clinton County. Tells the Clerk what type of action you are filing.
- Clinton County Personal Identifier Form (local) — Required with every new DR filing. Captures protected personal identifiers (SSN, DOB, etc.) on a separate form so they stay out of the public file.
- Complaint for Divorce Without Children (Supreme Court Form 6) — Opens your Clinton County divorce when there are no minor children. Clinton uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized form.
- Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1) — Must be notarized. Required at filing in every Clinton DR case. Both parties file their own.
- Affidavit of Property (Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing alongside the Income Affidavit.
- Decree of Divorce Without Children (Supreme Court Form 14) — Proposed final order ending the marriage. Prepare in advance; the Judge signs it at the final hearing.
Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — $400
- Clinton County Case Designation Form (local) — Required with every new domestic relations filing in Clinton County. Tells the Clerk what type of action you are filing.
- Clinton County Personal Identifier Form (local) — Required with every new DR filing. Captures protected personal identifiers (SSN, DOB, etc.) on a separate form so they stay out of the public file.
- Complaint for Divorce With Children (Supreme Court Form 7) — Opens your Clinton County divorce when minor children are involved. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
- Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1) — Must be notarized. Required at filing in every Clinton 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, and sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set or modify support.
- Sole-Residential Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
- Decree of Divorce With Children (Supreme Court Form 15) — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children. Incorporates the parenting plan, child-support worksheet, and property allocation.
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
File under Civ. R. 75(N) with current financial affidavits attached.
- Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach current Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 — incomplete financials cause continuances.
- Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court is being asked to set or modify support.
How to File Divorce in Clinton County
- Confirm Ohio + Clinton County residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Clinton County for at least 90 days before filing.
- Pick your grounds. Ohio recognizes no-fault grounds (living separate and apart for 1 year, or incompatibility unless denied) and fault grounds (adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, fraudulent contract, imprisonment, or willful absence for 1 year).
- Assemble the right packet. Form 6 (no children) or Form 7 (with children), 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 proposed parenting plan. Always include the Case Designation Form and Personal Identifier Form.
- E-file through efile.henschen.com. Upload the complete packet and pay the filing fee ($300 without children / $400 with children). The system issues a stamped, time-marked copy.
- Serve your spouse and wait 42 days. Service can be by certified mail, Sheriff, or process server. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer or Counterclaim. A final hearing cannot be held until at least 42 days after service is completed.
Clinton County Practice Notes
- Mandatory e-filing. Since January 1, 2024 every filing must go through efile.henschen.com. Create an account before your first filing and have your PDFs ready.
- Two local forms with every filing. The Case Designation Form and the Personal Identifier Form must accompany every new domestic relations case. Without them the Clerk may reject the filing.
- 42-day waiting period is mandatory. Ohio law forbids a final divorce hearing until at least 42 days after service is perfected. This cannot be waived even when the case is uncontested.
- General Division judge. Hon. Andrew T. McCoy hears the General Division — civil, criminal, and domestic relations — so your divorce stays on one hearing calendar. Clinton's Juvenile and Probate matters are a separate combined court under Judge Chad L. Carey.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the residency requirements to file in Clinton County?
- For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Clinton County for at least 90 days before filing. Dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
- How much does it cost to file in Clinton County DR?
- Filing fees are $300 for a dissolution or divorce without children and $400 with children. A motion to reopen a case with children is $175; a civil motion to reopen is $100. Home investigations are $150. CPO petitions have no filing fee. Copies are $0.10 per page; certified copies add $2.00 per document.
- Do I have to e-file in Clinton County?
- Yes. Clinton County has required mandatory e-filing for all Common Pleas filings since January 1, 2024. File through efile.henschen.com. You will set up an account, upload your PDFs, and pay the filing fee online.
- What local forms must accompany every new DR filing?
- Two local forms are required with every new domestic relations filing: the Clinton County Case Designation Form and the Personal Identifier Form. Both are available on clintoncountycourts.org and must be e-filed with your complaint or petition.
- How long does a Clinton County divorce take?
- Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies in Clinton County — a final divorce hearing cannot be set sooner, and the waiting period cannot be waived. Uncontested divorces typically run 4-6 months; contested cases routinely run 8-18 months depending on discovery and the court's calendar.
- How do temporary orders work in Clinton County?
- Under Civ. R. 75(N) you may request temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, exclusive use of the marital home, or property restraining orders while the case is pending. File the motion together with current Affidavit 1 (income/expenses) and Affidavit 2 (property). The court may decide on the affidavits or set a hearing.
- When do I file in Juvenile Court instead of DR?
- If the parents were never married, custody, parenting time, and child support are filed in the Clinton County Juvenile Court at 46 South South Street, Wilmington — phone (937) 382-2391. If you were married, those issues travel with the divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment in DR.
Free Local Resources in Clinton County
- Clinton County Clerk of Courts. 46 South South Street, Wilmington, OH 45177. Phone (937) 382-2316. E-filing through efile.henschen.com.
- Clinton County DR Local Rules (with form appendices). clintoncountycourts.org — DR forms are appendices to the local rules document.
- Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. Used for the complaint, affidavits, decree, parenting plans, and motions. Available at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
- Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
- Clinton County Law Library. 46 South South Street, Wilmington — (937) 382-2428.
- Alternatives to Violence Center (Clinton County). 94 N. South Street, 3rd Floor, Suite D, Wilmington — Office (937) 383-3285 · 24-hour Crisis Line 1-888-816-1146.
- Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and form walkthroughs.
Other Family-Law Topics in Clinton County
- Clinton County Dissolution — $300 without children / $400 with — mandatory e-filing.
- Clinton County Divorce — Ohio SC standardized forms plus the local Case Designation and Personal Identifier forms.
- Clinton County Legal Separation — Same forms as divorce — marriage stays legally intact at the end.
- Clinton County Annulment — Limited grounds under R.C. 3105.31 — treats the marriage as if it never happened.
- Clinton County Post-Decree Modifications — Change child support, custody, or parenting time after the decree.
- Clinton County Post-Decree Contempt — Enforce an order the other party is violating.
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 Clinton County family-law resources
- Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
- Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
- Clinton County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Clinton 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.
