Filing for Divorce with Children in Darke County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Darke County's Common Pleas Court at 504 South Broadway in Greenville is one of the more affordable filing courts in Ohio: $300 covers either a divorce or a dissolution, and the court stays open during lunch. Magistrate Brittany M. Johns runs the DR docket, and parents have an unusual range of court-approved parenting class options including OSU's online Successful Co-Parenting ($45).
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) |
File for divorce with minor children in the Darke County Common Pleas Court. Step-by-step guidance, 8 required forms, ~$300 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.
Darke County Common Pleas Court
504 South Broadway, 2nd Floor Courthouse, Greenville, OH 45331Phone: (937) 547-7325
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (open during lunch)
Clerk of Courts, 504 South Broadway, 2nd Floor, Greenville. Clerk phone: (937) 547-7335.
Filing Fees
$300 for divorce or dissolution
Darke County Procedure Quirks
- One of the lower filing fees in Ohio: $300 covers either divorce or dissolution.
- Court stays open during lunch — useful if you can only file midday.
- Local Rules updated effective February 1, 2026 (PDF).
- Multiple court-approved parenting classes: OSU Successful Co-Parenting (online, $45) is the primary option; alternatives include Children in the Middle (Catholic Social Services, Sidney), Agreeable Parenting (Greenville), and North American Learning Institute.
Parenting Class
OSU Successful Co-Parenting — Ohio State University (primary court-approved option) (Register / learn more)
$45, 1.5–2 hours, self-paced online. Register as a Darke County participant: Tina McGillvary, mcgillvary.4@osu.edu or (937) 548-5215. Approved alternatives: Children in the Middle (Catholic Social Services, Sidney) (937) 498-4593 • Agreeable Parenting (Pastor Steve Short, Greenville) (937) 547-0009 • North American Learning Institute ($25, 4 hrs online).
Darke County Juvenile/Probate Court
300 Garst Avenue, Greenville, OH 45331Phone: (937) 547-7350 (Juvenile) • (937) 547-7345 (Probate)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (effective June 1, 2026)
Website: Juvenile court website
Combined Probate and Juvenile Court — same judge handles both dockets. Email courtadmin@darkeprobatejuvenile.org if phones are unavailable.
Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile
Darke splits across two Greenville buildings: Common Pleas (DR) at 504 S. Broadway, 2nd Floor for divorces and dissolutions; Juvenile/Probate Court at 300 Garst Avenue for never-married-parent custody/support and juvenile matters.
Free Local Resources in Darke County
- Darke County Common Pleas Forms. darkecountycommonpleas.com/domestic-relations — all forms, posted by the court.
- Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — statewide self-help articles, forms, and guides.
Required divorce-with-children packet (8 forms)
- Complaint for Divorce with Children — The main document that starts your case and lists what you're asking the court to decide.
- Domestic Relations Questionnaire (required) — Required Darke local form. The Clerk will not accept your Complaint without it.
- Confidential Information of Parties — Identifying information about you and your spouse — kept confidential by the court.
- Affidavit of Income & Expense — Your income and monthly bills. Includes financial disclosures.
- Affidavit of Property & Debt — Lists what you own and owe — house, vehicles, accounts, retirement, debts.
- Parenting Proceeding Affidavit — The children's 5-year address history.
- Health Insurance Affidavit — Confirms who provides insurance for the family and the cost.
- Application for Child Support Services (IV-D) — Opens your case with the IV-D child support enforcement agency. Required by Darke local rules.
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.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
