Columbiana County Divorce Attorneys

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

Columbiana County, Ohio · Lisbon

A Columbiana County divorce is filed at the Common Pleas Court at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, in front of Judges Scott Washam and Megan L. Bickerton (with DR Magistrates J. Bradley Allison and Lynsey Lyle-Opalenik hearing most contested matters). Columbiana County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms plus several local forms — the Case Designation Sheet, Personal Information Form, local Financial Affidavit, and local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit.

Hire Gavvl for your Columbiana County divorce case

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

File a Complaint for Divorce (Ohio Supreme Court Form 6 without children or Form 7 with children) with the Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432. Include the local Case Designation Sheet, Personal Information Form, and Financial Affidavit. With children, also file the local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit and the IV-D Application. The filing fee is $300. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Columbiana County for at least 90 days. Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before a final hearing.

Columbiana County divorce, handled by Gavvl Law

When your spouse won't agree, a Columbiana County divorce runs on the Ohio Supreme Court complaint (Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children) stacked on the county's own Case Designation Sheet, Personal Information Form, and local Financial Affidavit — filed at 105 South Market Street in Lisbon for a $300 deposit, in front of Judges Scott Washam and Megan L. Bickerton. Gavvl Law assembles the packet the Lisbon Clerk accepts, drives it through the mandatory 42-day waiting period and any temporary orders, and sets one flat fee up front for straightforward cases or full representation when the case is contested.

Local forms replace the statewide ones. Columbiana uses its local Financial Affidavit instead of Ohio SC Affidavit 1 and its local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit instead of Affidavit 3 in any case with children. We file the county's versions from ccclerk.org so the case opens on the first pass rather than being kicked back for the wrong affidavit.
Temporary orders while the case is pending. A contested divorce can take months, so we move under Civ. R. 75(N) for temporary support, parenting time, or exclusive use of the home, attaching the current local Financial Affidavit and Affidavit 2 the DR Magistrates require before they can rule.
Contested matters go to the DR Magistrates. DR Magistrates J. Bradley Allison and Lynsey Lyle-Opalenik hear most contested motions, and either side has 14 days to object to a decision. We prepare your evidence for those hearings and preserve the objection deadlines so nothing is waived.

Ohio's 42-day waiting period after service can't be waived even when a case turns uncontested, and Columbiana charges $60 for an Answer and Cross-Complaint with service and $650 for service by publication. If the $300 deposit is out of reach, the Clerk at (330) 424-7777 provides a Poverty Affidavit to waive it — we use the county's own process end to end.

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: Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)

105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: (330) 424-7777
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Columbiana County Juvenile Court (Charles A. Pike Juvenile Center)
260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon, OH 44432
Phone: (330) 424-4071
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (filings before 3:30 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 Columbiana County for at least 90 days.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a Dissolution is faster and cheaper. See Columbiana County dissolution.

Filing Fees

$300 flat (with or without children) · Answer & Cross-Complaint with service: $60 · 42-day waiting period after service

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — $300

Columbiana County Case Designation Sheet (DR — local) — Required with every new domestic relations filing in Columbiana County.
Columbiana County Personal Information Form (local) — Required with every new DR filing. Captures personal identifiers (SSN, DOB) on a separate form so they stay out of the public file.
Complaint for Divorce Without Children (Supreme Court Form 6) — Opens your Columbiana County divorce when there are no minor children.
Columbiana County Financial Affidavit (local — replaces OSC Affidavit 1) — Columbiana County uses its own local Financial Affidavit in place of the Ohio Supreme Court Affidavit 1. Both parties must file their own.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
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) — $300

Columbiana County Case Designation Sheet (DR — local) — Required with every new domestic relations filing in Columbiana County.
Columbiana County Personal Information Form (local) — Required with every new DR filing. Captures personal identifiers (SSN, DOB) on a separate form so they stay out of the public file.
Complaint for Divorce With Children (Supreme Court Form 7) — Opens your Columbiana County divorce when minor children are involved. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child support.
Columbiana County Financial Affidavit (local — replaces OSC Affidavit 1) — Columbiana County uses its own local Financial Affidavit in place of the Ohio Supreme Court Affidavit 1. Both parties must file their own.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Columbiana County Custody Affidavit (UCCJEA — local) — Local UCCJEA affidavit required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Application for Child Support Services (IV-D — local) — Required in any DR case where the court will issue a child-support order. Routes the case to Columbiana County CSEA for collection.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign.
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.

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 under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.

Temporary orders add-on packet

File under Civ. R. 75(N) with the current local Financial Affidavit and Affidavit 2 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 a current local Financial Affidavit and Affidavit 2.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign.

How to File Divorce in Columbiana County

Confirm Ohio + Columbiana County residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Columbiana 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), the local Financial Affidavit, the OSC Affidavit 2 (property), and — if children — the local UCCJEA, Affidavit 4 (health insurance), the IV-D Application, the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, and a proposed parenting plan. Always include the Case Designation Sheet and Personal Information Form.
File at 105 South Market Street, Lisbon. Pay the $300 filing fee. The Clerk's office accepts in-person filings; online payments are available through ccclerk.org once your case is open.
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 (the answer-with-cross-complaint service fee is $60). A final hearing cannot be held until at least 42 days after service is completed.

Columbiana County Practice Notes

Local Financial Affidavit replaces OSC Affidavit 1. Columbiana County uses its own local Financial Affidavit in place of the Ohio Supreme Court Affidavit 1. Use the link on ccclerk.org — do not file the OSC Affidavit 1.
Local UCCJEA in child cases. For any DR case with minor children, Columbiana requires its local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit instead of the OSC Affidavit 3.
Local companionship schedules apply. Local Rule 9.4 (Uniform), 9.41 (Long Distance), and 9.42 (Transitional) govern parenting time by default. Either propose one of these schedules or attach a custom parenting plan.
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.
Fee waiver is available. If you can't afford the $300 deposit, file a Poverty Affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) asking the court to waive the filing fee. Ask the Clerk of Courts at (330) 424-7777 for the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Columbiana County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Columbiana County for at least 90 days before filing. Dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
How much does it cost to file in Columbiana County DR?: Dissolution, divorce, legal separation, and annulment are all $300 flat. Post-decree motions are $100. A QDRO filing is $60. An Answer and Cross-Complaint with a service request is $60. Out-of-county Sheriff service is $60. Service by publication is $650. CPO petitions have no filing fee.
What local forms does Columbiana County require?: Every DR filing needs the Case Designation Sheet (DR) and the Personal Information Form. Columbiana also uses its own local Financial Affidavit (in place of the Ohio Supreme Court Affidavit 1) and its own local UCCJEA Custody Affidavit. Cases with child support need the IV-D Application. Post-decree motions must attach a proposed Judgment Entry (Local Rule 9.0). All are linked from ccclerk.org.
Does Columbiana County have its own parenting-time schedules?: Yes. Local Rule 9.4 establishes the Uniform Companionship Plan, Local Rule 9.41 is the Long Distance Companionship Schedule, and Local Rule 9.42 is the Transitional Schedule. Pick the schedule that matches your situation (or attach a custom plan); the local rules govern unless the court orders otherwise.
Who hears Columbiana County DR cases?: The General Division judges are Hon. Scott Washam and Hon. Megan L. Bickerton. The DR Magistrates are J. Bradley Allison and Lynsey Lyle-Opalenik, who hear most contested matters and motions. Anthony J. Dattilio is the Clerk of Courts.
How long does a Columbiana County divorce take?: Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies. 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 Columbiana 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. File the motion with a current local Financial Affidavit and Affidavit 2 (property). The court may decide on the affidavits or set a hearing.

Free Local Resources in Columbiana County

Columbiana County Clerk of Courts (Anthony J. Dattilio). 105 South Market Street, Lisbon, OH 44432. Phone (330) 424-7777.
Columbiana County Local Rules. ccclerk.org/common-pleas-court-rules — Local Rules 9.4, 9.41, 9.42 and DR procedure.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized Forms. supremecourt.ohio.gov — used for the complaint, decree, parenting plans, and post-decree motions.
Columbiana County Local Forms (ccclerk.org). Case Designation Sheet, Personal Information Form, Financial Affidavit, UCCJEA, IV-D Application.
Local Companionship Schedules. Rule 9.4 (Uniform), Rule 9.41 (Long Distance), Rule 9.42 (Transitional) — linked from ccclerk.org.
Charles A. Pike Juvenile Center. 260 West Lincoln Way, Lisbon — (330) 424-4071. Judge Thomas M. Baronzzi. Filings before 3:30 p.m.
Columbiana County Law Library. columbianacountylawlibrary.org — research and self-help resources.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and form walkthroughs.

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.

Keep exploring Columbiana County family law

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