Columbus Family Law Attorneys

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Division of Domestic Relations

Filing Fees in Franklin County

• Divorce (with or without minor children): $275
• Dissolution of marriage: $225
• Legal separation: $200
• Annulment: $200
• Custody / visitation / support: $175
• Post-judgment motion: +$150
• Counterclaim: +$43

Filing fees are deposits paid to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts and are subject to additional statewide surcharges, including the mandatory $32 Ohio Revised Code § 2303.201 domestic violence shelter surcharge and a $5.50 decree fee. Service costs are billed separately. Poverty affidavits are available.

How Franklin County Handles Family Law Cases

• Franklin County requires both parents in cases involving minor children to complete the court's Helping Children Succeed After Divorce parenting seminar before final decree.
• Local Rule 27 mandates good-faith mediation in most contested custody and parenting time cases before a trial date is assigned.
• Most Franklin County dissolutions are finalized in 30–90 days after filing if all paperwork is properly prepared.
• Contested divorces follow a structured pretrial → final pretrial → trial calendar, typically 9–15 months from filing.

Parenting Class Requirement

The court-approved parenting class for Franklin County is administered through Franklin County Children Services partners and several online providers. We help every Columbus client register and complete the class on schedule.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations & Juvenile Division (Never-Married Parents)

373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3600
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Franklin County combines Domestic Relations and Juvenile under one Division at the same downtown address. Juvenile cases involve minors, so case information is not publicly available — only authorized parties may access it.

Franklin County is one of the few Ohio counties where Domestic Relations and Juvenile are combined into a single Division at 373 South High Street. Married couples file divorce, dissolution, and related custody/support there; never-married parents file paternity, custody, parenting time, and child support in the same building's Juvenile Branch.

About Columbus

• Franklin County: ~1.32 million residents (largest in Ohio)
• Greater Columbus metro: ~2.18 million
• Median age: ~34 (one of Ohio's youngest metros)

Serving Short North, German Village, Clintonville, Bexley, Upper Arlington, Dublin, Westerville, Powell, New Albany, Worthington, Grandview Heights, Hilliard, Gahanna, Grove City, Reynoldsburg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file for divorce in Columbus?

Columbus divorce, dissolution, and custody cases are filed at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Division of Domestic Relations, located at 373 South High Street, Floor 4, Columbus, OH 43215. We e-file all documents on behalf of our clients.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Franklin County?

Franklin County's 2026 filing fee is $275 for a divorce (with or without minor children) and $225 for a dissolution. There is also a mandatory $32 statewide domestic violence shelter surcharge and a $5.50 decree fee. Service of process and court reporter fees are additional.

How long does a Franklin County divorce take?

A Franklin County dissolution is typically finalized 30–90 days after filing. A contested Franklin County divorce usually takes 9 to 15 months, depending on how complex property division and custody issues are.

Do I have to go to mediation in a Columbus custody case?

Under Franklin County Local Rule 27, the court requires good-faith mediation in most contested custody and parenting time cases before scheduling a trial. Mediators are court-appointed or privately retained.

Is the parenting class required in Franklin County?

Yes. The Franklin County Court of Domestic Relations requires both parents in any case involving minor children to complete the Helping Children Succeed After Divorce seminar before final decree. The class is offered both in person and online.

Do you handle Delaware, Fairfield, and Licking County cases?

Yes. We file in all of Central Ohio's surrounding counties — Delaware (Delaware), Fairfield (Lancaster), Licking (Newark), Madison, Pickaway, and Union — each with their own local rules and judges that we know well.

Columbus Divorce Guide

Focused specifically on divorce in Franklin County? See our in-depth guide: Columbus Divorce Lawyers — Franklin County divorce guide.

Columbus Family Law Practice Areas

• Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.

Serving All of Greater Columbus

We represent clients across the Columbus metro area and surrounding counties.

• Franklin County divorce & family law — Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Worthington, Grove City, Hilliard, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Reynoldsburg
• Delaware County divorce & family law — Delaware, Powell, Lewis Center, Sunbury, Galena
• Fairfield County divorce & family law — Lancaster, Pickerington, Canal Winchester, Baltimore
• Licking County divorce & family law — Newark, Pataskala, Heath, Granville, Reynoldsburg (partial)

Transparent Pricing & Payment Options in Columbus

Columbus families shouldn't have to guess what legal help will cost. Gavvl Law uses transparent pricing — flat fees for many uncontested and limited-scope matters, so you know the full cost before you commit, and clearly-scoped retainers for complex or contested cases. We offer several ways to pay so you can get help now and choose what fits your budget: pay in full by card through Confido Legal, finance through third-party providers like Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later, or spread a flat fee over time with a Gavvl Direct in-house payment plan that requires no credit check. Not sure which service or payment path fits your situation? Take our Find My Divorce Service quiz for a personalized recommendation, or review all of our payment options and financing details.

Attorneys Serving Columbus

Meet the Gavvl Law attorneys who represent Columbus and Franklin County families.

• Elizabeth Warren — Managing Partner & Co-Founder
• Kimberly Lawrence — Of Counsel Attorney
• Matthew Ameer — Of Counsel Attorney
• Lindsey Hutchinson — Of Counsel Attorney
• Richard Furnish — Of Counsel Attorney
• Erin Schultz — Finance Manager & Legal Assistant
• Sheldon Goodrum — Of Counsel Attorney
• Madeline Wampler — Certified Paralegal

Meet the full Gavvl Law team.

Legal Disclaimer

This page is for general information about Ohio family law and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different; outcomes, timelines, and costs depend on your specific facts and the county where your case is filed. An attorney–client relationship with Gavvl Law begins only after a written representation agreement is signed by both you and the firm. Financing through Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later is subject to separate third-party terms and approval, and Gavvl Direct payment plans carry 19% interest compounded monthly on the financed amount. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page may be considered attorney advertising under Ohio law.