Crawford County Divorce Attorneys
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026
Crawford County, Ohio · Bucyrus
A divorce is a lawsuit: one spouse files against the other. In Crawford County it runs through the Court of Common Pleas at 112 E. Mansfield Street in Bucyrus, before Judge Sean E. Leuthold. You file in person with the Clerk of Courts in Suite 204 using the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms — there is no e-filing yet, and fax filing is reserved for emergencies.
Hire Gavvl for your Crawford County divorce 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.
How do I file for divorce in Crawford County, Ohio?
File a Complaint for Divorce in person with the Crawford County Clerk of Courts in Suite 204, using the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms. The deposit is $300 (a poverty affidavit can waive it). One spouse must have lived in Ohio at least 6 months. With minor children, include the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and an Ohio child-support worksheet. If you need support or a parenting schedule while the case runs, file a Proposal for Temporary Orders with a financial affidavit — the magistrate sets temporary orders on the paperwork, with an oral hearing generally held within 28 days. Pay by cash, check, money order, or card (3% card fee). Confirm the current deposit with the Clerk at (419) 562-2766.
Hire Gavvl Law for your Crawford County divorce
A Crawford County divorce is filed on paper — there is no e-filing — in person with the Clerk of Courts in Suite 204 at 112 E. Mansfield Street in Bucyrus, before Judge Sean E. Leuthold, with a $300 deposit. Gavvl Law assembles the Ohio Supreme Court complaint and affidavits the counter will accept the first time, sets up temporary support and a parenting schedule the way Crawford handles it, and offers a flat fee for straightforward cases or full representation when the case is contested.
- A paper packet the Suite 204 counter accepts. Because Crawford still files over the counter, a missing affidavit or the wrong complaint form means a return trip to Bucyrus. We file the correct Ohio Supreme Court complaint with the income, property, and — with children — UCCJEA affidavits and a child-support worksheet, so your case number issues the day you file.
- Temporary orders that run on affidavits. Crawford does not hold an automatic temporary-orders hearing. We file the local Proposal for Temporary Orders with your financial affidavit so the magistrate can set interim support or a parenting schedule on the paperwork, and we request the oral hearing — generally within 28 days — when a live argument helps you.
- Flat fee up front, waiver if you qualify. You get one flat fee approved before we start, with payment plans available, and full representation if Judge Leuthold has to decide property, debt, or parenting. If the $300 deposit is out of reach, we file the poverty affidavit that waives it.
Crawford County takes cash, check, money order, or card with a 3% card fee, and has no automatic parenting class since the old rule was suspended in 2010. We work the county's in-person, affidavit-driven process the way the Clerk and Judge Leuthold's docket actually run it, so nothing stalls over a filing technicality.
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: Crawford County Court of Common Pleas
112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820Phone: (419) 562-5771
Hours: Monday–Friday
Website: Court website
Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)
Crawford County Juvenile & Probate Court
112 E. Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-1896
Hours: Monday–Friday
Divorce is the right path if…
- You and your spouse do not yet agree on the terms, or you cannot find your spouse.
- One of you has lived in Ohio for at least the last 6 months.
- You need the court to decide property, debt, support, or parenting — not just rubber-stamp an agreement.
- You can file in person in Bucyrus and pay the $300 deposit (or file a poverty affidavit to waive it).
Filing Fees
Divorce deposit $300 · QDRO to divide a retirement account $50 · paid by cash, check, money order, or card (3% card fee); a poverty affidavit waives the deposit. 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
Divorce with no minor children — $300 deposit (poverty affidavit waives it)
File the Complaint for Divorce with your financial and property affidavits in person at the Clerk of Courts, Suite 204. The case proceeds through service, temporary orders (if requested), and a final hearing before Judge Leuthold.
- Complaint for Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 6) — Opens your divorce case and tells the court what you're asking for. Use when you and your spouse have no minor children together.
- Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
- Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
- Proposal for Temporary Orders (Crawford DR forms) — The Crawford County local form used to request temporary support, a temporary parenting schedule, or other interim relief while a case is pending. File it with a financial affidavit and a child-support worksheet; the magistrate sets temporary orders on the paperwork. Tip: Attach a current Affidavit of Income & Expenses and, when children are involved, the Ohio child-support worksheet.
Divorce with minor children — $300 deposit (poverty affidavit waives it)
Add the UCCJEA Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and an Ohio child-support worksheet to the Complaint. Custody, parenting time, and support are decided inside the divorce using the R.C. 3109.04 best-interest standard.
- Complaint for Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 7) — The divorce Complaint used when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
- Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
- Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
- Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
- Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
- Proposal for Temporary Orders (Crawford DR forms) — The Crawford County local form used to request temporary support, a temporary parenting schedule, or other interim relief while a case is pending. File it with a financial affidavit and a child-support worksheet; the magistrate sets temporary orders on the paperwork. Tip: Attach a current Affidavit of Income & Expenses and, when children are involved, the Ohio child-support worksheet.
How to File Divorce in Crawford County
- Confirm residency. One spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least the last 6 months before you file.
- Build the form packet. Complete the Complaint for Divorce and the Ohio Supreme Court financial and property affidavits; with children, add the UCCJEA affidavit and a child-support worksheet.
- File in person and pay. File with the Clerk of Courts in Suite 204 and pay the $300 deposit (or file a poverty affidavit to waive it).
- Request temporary orders if needed. File a Proposal for Temporary Orders with a financial affidavit; the magistrate rules on the paperwork, with an oral hearing generally within 28 days of a timely request.
- Serve and attend the hearing. Serve your spouse, then proceed to the final hearing before Judge Leuthold, who decides any contested issues and signs the decree.
Crawford County Practice Notes
- Temporary orders run on affidavits in Crawford County. Instead of an automatic hearing, you file a Proposal for Temporary Orders with a financial affidavit and (with children) a child-support worksheet. The magistrate sets temporary orders from the paperwork. Either party can ask for an oral hearing, generally held within 28 days.
- File in person — no e-filing yet. Crawford County does not have e-filing. You file with the Clerk of Courts in Suite 204 in person; fax filing is reserved for emergencies. Pay by cash, check, money order, or card (3% card fee).
- No automatic parenting class. Crawford County's old parenting-class rule was suspended in 2010, so there is no class in every case. A judge can still order parenting education in a particular case — confirm the current practice with the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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 much does it cost to file a family law case in Crawford County?
- Common deposits are: divorce $300, dissolution $200, a QDRO to divide a retirement account $50, a post-decree motion $200, and an agreed judgment entry $50. A new Juvenile filing (custody or parentage) is about $250, and a modification about $200. An adoption deposit is $170, and a civil protection order has no fee. Pay by cash, check, money order, or card (3% card fee); a poverty affidavit waives the deposit. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 562-2766 or the Juvenile Court at (419) 562-1896.
- What is the residency requirement to file in Crawford County?
- To file for divorce or dissolution in Ohio, one spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing. Crawford County is the right county when you or your spouse live here.
- Can I e-file a family law case in Crawford County?
- No. Crawford County does not have e-filing yet, so you file in person at the Clerk of Courts in Suite 204. Fax filing is reserved for emergencies. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or card, and cards add a 3% fee.
- How do temporary orders work in Crawford County?
- Crawford County decides temporary orders from written affidavits. You file a Proposal for Temporary Orders with a financial affidavit and a child-support worksheet, and the magistrate sets temporary orders on the paperwork. Either party can request an oral hearing, generally held within 28 days.
- Is a parenting class required in Crawford County?
- There is no automatic parenting class in every case. Crawford County's old parenting-class rule was suspended in 2010. A judge can still order parenting education in a particular case, so confirm the current practice with the court.
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 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 Crawford County family-law resources
- Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce 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.
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.
