Crawford County Protection Order Attorneys

Hire Gavvl for your Crawford County protection orders case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Crawford 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.

Crawford County protection orders, with counsel at your side

A domestic violence civil protection order can order someone to stay away and can also set temporary custody and support. In Crawford County a petition is filed with the Common Pleas Clerk under R.C. 3113.31 with no filing fee to the petitioner, on a dedicated protection-order docket, and Gavvl Law prepares the petition, seeks the same-day ex parte order when there is immediate danger, and stands with you at the full hearing.

• A petition ready for the ex parte showing. The court can issue a same-day ex parte order if you show immediate danger, so the petition has to describe the harm and threats clearly. We draft it to make that showing, so protection can be in place before the other side is even heard.
• Representation at the full hearing. A full hearing follows in about 7 to 10 court days, and a final order can last up to five years and can cover custody, support, and firearms. That hearing is where the lasting order is won or lost, and we present your evidence and cross-examine on your behalf.
• No filing fee, and no forced mediation. There is no filing fee for the petitioner, and mediation is never used for a protection-order case. We handle representation on a flat fee so cost is not a barrier to getting protected.

Crawford County runs a dedicated protection-order docket out of the Common Pleas Court in Bucyrus, which is built to move these cases quickly. If you or your children are in danger right now, call 911 first — a protection order is a civil court process, not an emergency response — and then let us handle the court side.

Flat-fee options

Flat fee: we file your DV civil protection order petition and represent you at the ex parte and full hearings — or, if you are the responding party, defend you at the full hearing.

• Defend a protection order (full hearing): $2,900
• File a DV protection order (petition + hearings): $3,500

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. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your protection orders case or see payment plans & financing.

Where to File: Crawford County Court of Common Pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Crawford County Juvenile & Probate Court
112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-1896
Hours: Monday–Friday

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You have been harmed or threatened by a family or household member, or someone you dated.
• You need a court order requiring the other person to stay away.
• You may also need temporary custody, support, or a firearms restriction.
• You can file with the Common Pleas Clerk in Bucyrus (there is no filing fee).

Filing Fees

There is no filing fee for the petitioner on a civil protection order (R.C. 3113.31). A same-day ex parte order is possible on a showing of immediate danger, with a full hearing in about 7 to 10 court days. Court fees and deposits change — confirm the current amount with the Crawford County Clerk of Courts at (419) 562-2766 (Domestic Relations) or the Juvenile Court at (419) 562-1896 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Crawford County

1. Make a safety plan. If you are in danger right now, call 911. A protection order is a civil court process, not an emergency response.
2. Prepare the petition. Complete the DVCPO petition describing the harm or threats and what protection you need.
3. File with the Common Pleas Clerk. File under R.C. 3113.31 with no fee; the court runs a dedicated protection-order docket.
4. Ask for an ex parte order. On a showing of immediate danger, the court can issue a same-day ex parte order.
5. Attend the full hearing. A full hearing follows in about 7 to 10 court days; a final order can last up to five years.

Crawford County Practice Notes

• No filing fee and a same-day ex parte option. A protection order is filed with the Common Pleas Clerk under R.C. 3113.31 with no fee. The court runs a dedicated protection-order docket and can issue a same-day ex parte order if you show immediate danger.
• A final order can last up to five years. After the ex parte order, a full hearing follows in about 7 to 10 court days. A final order can last up to five years and can cover custody, support, and firearms.
• Mediation is never used for protection-order cases. Mediation, counseling, or conciliation is never used for a domestic-violence case or to decide a protection order. If anyone is in danger now, call 911 — a protection order is a civil process, not an emergency response.
• Statewide forms — no local cover sheet. Crawford County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized protection-order forms (the petition, ex parte order, and full-hearing order). The Clerk of Courts confirmed that no local DVCPO cover sheet is required and there is no after-hours filing — petitions are filed in person at the courthouse on E. Mansfield Street in Bucyrus during regular business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a civil protection order in Crawford County?

File a petition with the Common Pleas Clerk under R.C. 3113.31; there is no filing fee. The court runs a dedicated protection-order docket and can issue a same-day ex parte order if you show immediate danger. A full hearing follows in about 7 to 10 court days, and a final order can last up to five years and can cover custody, support, and firearms. Family or household members and people in a dating relationship can file. If you are in danger now, call 911.

Are emergency (ex parte) orders easy to get in Crawford County?

No. Crawford County treats ex parte orders as an emergency-only tool. You need a sworn affidavit and an attorney certification. After an emergency order, the other party gets a hearing within 10 days. A false statement made to get an ex parte order can bring sanctions, including dismissal and a fee award. If your situation involves violence, a protection order may be the better tool.

Is mediation available in Crawford County?

Yes. A judge or magistrate can order mediation, counseling, or conciliation in a case to help parents reach an agreement. Mediation is never used for a domestic-violence case or to decide a protection order.

Which court handles family law in Crawford County?

All family law runs through the Court of Common Pleas at 112 E. Mansfield Street in Bucyrus. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, property division, and civil protection orders are heard before Judge Sean E. Leuthold, (419) 562-5771. Custody, parenting time, and child support for never-married parents are heard in the Juvenile Court before Judge Patrick T. Murphy, (419) 562-1896. Adoption is handled by the Probate Court before Judge Murphy, Suite 103, (419) 562-5876.

How do I report a child-safety concern in Crawford County?

Abuse, neglect, and dependency (CPS) cases are heard in the Juvenile Court, which can appoint a guardian ad litem to speak for the child. To report a concern about a child's safety, call (419) 563-1570, which runs 24 hours. For danger right now, call 911.

Free Local Resources in Crawford County

• Crawford County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Current filing fees, deposit amounts, and case filing for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree matters. File in person in Suite 204 at 112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus; (419) 562-2766. No e-filing yet; fax is reserved for emergencies. Local court rules and the Proposal for Temporary Orders are at https://crawfordcocpcourt.org/local-court-rules/.
• Crawford County Juvenile & Probate Court. Handles never-married-parent parentage, custody, parenting time, and support, plus non-parent custody, abuse/neglect/dependency (CPS), and adoption. Juvenile (419) 562-1896; Probate Suite 103 (419) 562-5876. Judge Patrick T. Murphy presides over both.
• Crawford County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, and pays through the state. Opens IV-D cases and can review existing orders. Contact (419) 562-0773.
• Crawford County Children Services hotline. To report a concern about a child's safety, call (419) 563-1570, which runs 24 hours. In an emergency, call 911.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

Other Family-Law Topics in Crawford County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Crawford County family-law attorney for help with your case.

Related to your protection orders case

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

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on protection orders and related Ohio family law topics.

• Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.
• Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.

More Crawford County family-law resources

• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
• Crawford County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Crawford 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.