Filing for Divorce with Children in Clinton County

Clinton County Court of Common Pleas

Filing Fees

$300 (no children) / $400 (with children)

Clinton County Procedure Quirks

• Mandatory e-filing since January 1, 2024 through efile.henschen.com — paper filings are no longer accepted for implemented case types.
• Every new DR filing requires two local forms: the Case Designation Form and the Personal Identifier Form.
• DR forms are published as appendices to the DR Local Rules PDF on clintoncountycourts.org, alongside the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms.
• Hon. Andrew T. McCoy hears the General Division (civil, criminal, and DR); Juvenile and Probate are a separate combined court under Judge Chad L. Carey. Magistrates' decisions are adopted by the judge.
• Filing fee is $300 without children or $400 with children.

Parenting Class

Court-approved parenting class — Approved providers
Mandatory for parents with minor children before the final hearing — confirm the current provider with the Clerk at (937) 382-2316.

Judges

• Hon. Andrew T. McCoy

Clinton County Juvenile Court (separate court)

Hears abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency, unruly, juvenile traffic, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and grandparent-rights matters.

Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile

Clinton keeps the Court of Common Pleas (DR cases) and the Juvenile Court in the same Wilmington courthouse at 46 South South Street — married couples file divorces with Common Pleas; never-married parents file custody and support with the Juvenile Court (Judge Chad L. Carey).

Free Local Resources in Clinton County

• Henschen e-Filing Portal. efile.henschen.com — Clinton's mandatory e-filing system for DR cases since January 1, 2024.
• DR Local Rules & Forms. DR forms appear as appendices to the Local Rules PDF on clintoncountycourts.org.

Required divorce-with-children packet (11 forms)

• Clinton County Case Designation Form (local) — Required with every new DR filing.
• Clinton County Personal Identifier Form (local) — Required with every new DR filing — protects SSN/DOB from the public file.
• Complaint for Divorce With Children — Opens your Clinton County divorce. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child support.
• Affidavit of Income & Expenses — Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
• Affidavit of Property — Lists every asset and debt.
• Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA) — The children's 5-year residence history.
• Health Insurance Affidavit — Discloses whether children's health insurance is available through either parent's employer.
• Child Support Worksheet — Run on the Ohio Child Support Calculator and print.
• Shared Parenting Plan (if asking for shared parenting) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
• Sole-Residential Parenting Plan (if one parent will be custodian) — Used when only one parent will be designated residential parent.
• Decree of Divorce With Children — Proposed final order. Draft and file with your packet — the Judge signs at the final hearing.

Temporary orders while your case is pending

Under Ohio Civil Rule 75(N), Clinton County may decide temporary-orders motions on the affidavits or set a hearing. File the motion through efile.henschen.com with a current Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2. The 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final divorce hearing.

• Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Requests temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending.
• Affidavit 1 (Income/Expenses) — current — Required attachment to any temporary-orders motion.
• Affidavit 2 (Property) — current — Required attachment to any temporary-orders motion.

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.