Filing for Divorce with Children in Fairfield County

File for divorce with minor children in the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division. Step-by-step guidance, 13 required forms, Approximately $300 — contact Clerk for current amount filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.

Fairfield County has a dedicated Domestic Relations Division on the 4th floor of the Hall of Justice at 224 East Main Street in Lancaster, presided over by Hon. Laura B. Smith. Three local quirks shape every Fairfield filing: (1) the Clerk closes midday from 12:00–1:00 p.m. — plan around it; (2) single-sided documents only — the Clerk rejects anything printed on both sides; and (3) Fairfield publishes accessible HTML versions of nearly every local form alongside the PDFs. The Standard Mutual Restraining Order goes into effect automatically the moment a DR case is filed. Local Rule 17 sets a Standard Parenting Time Order (revised March 1, 2023) that applies unless the parties agree to something different. Parents with minor children must complete the Children In Between® program ($25 online) before the final hearing. Filing fees are approximately $300 — call the Clerk at (740) 652-7440 for the exact current amount.

Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, 4th Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7440
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed midday)
Website: co.fairfield.oh.us/dr/

Fairfield County Clerk of Courts, Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, 4th Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130. Phone (740) 652-7440 · Fax (740) 652-7399.

Filing Fees

Approximately $300 — contact Clerk for current amount (may vary with/without children)

Payment methods: Affidavit of Indigency available to waive fees for qualifying low-income filers. Fax filings accepted at (740) 652-7399.

Fairfield County Procedure Quirks

  • Midday Clerk closure 12:00–1:00 p.m. daily — plan filings for the morning (8:00–12:00) or afternoon (1:00–4:00) session.
  • Clerk will NOT accept forms printed on both sides of the paper — all filings must be single-sided.
  • Standard Mutual Restraining Order goes into effect automatically the moment a DR case is filed (Fairfield local form).
  • Local Rule 17 Standard Parenting Time Order — most recently revised March 1, 2023; the current version applies to cases decided on or after that date.
  • Magistrate Greenlee hearings are sometimes held at the Fairfield County Job and Family Services building rather than the Hall of Justice — check your notice.
  • Fairfield publishes accessible HTML versions of nearly every local form alongside the PDFs — an accessibility feature few Ohio courts offer.
  • Children In Between® parent education available online for $25 (divorce-education.com/OH/fairfield) — accounts valid for 30 days, 24/7 access.
  • DV/CPO petitions must be filed by 3:00 p.m. for same-day hearing; after 3:00 p.m. you may be asked to return the next business day.

Parenting Class

Children In Between® (online, $25) — divorce-education.com/OH/fairfield
Required for parents with minor children in divorce, legal separation, or dissolution cases. $25 online; account valid 30 days; available 24/7. File the certificate of completion with the Clerk of Courts in person or by fax to (740) 652-7399.

Judges

  • Hon. Laura B. Smith

Fairfield County Juvenile and Probate Court

Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7463 (Juvenile) · (740) 652-7485 (Probate)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.fairfieldcountyprobate.com/

Judge Vandervoort uniquely serves as both Judge and Clerk of the Juvenile and Probate Courts — uncommon in Ohio. Court Administrator: Michael E. Orlando. Juvenile fax (740) 687-6700. Email juvenilecourt@fairfieldcountyohio.gov. Online fee payments accepted. Three additional juvenile locations: Resource Center at 625 Garfield Ave Lancaster ((740) 652-7374), Diversion Services ((740) 652-7139), and a Pickerington office by appointment only. Restorative Justice Circles program available.

Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile

Fairfield houses both courts in the same Hall of Justice on Main Street in Lancaster — DR Division on the 4th Floor (Hon. Laura B. Smith), Juvenile & Probate on the 3rd Floor (Hon. Terre L. Vandervoort). Married couples file divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment with DR; never-married parents file custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity with the Juvenile Division. Judge Vandervoort uniquely serves as both Judge and Clerk of the Juvenile/Probate Courts — a dual role uncommon in Ohio.

Free Local Resources in Fairfield County

  • Fairfield County DR Division. co.fairfield.oh.us/dr — Judge Laura B. Smith. Local forms in HTML and PDF, local rules, and contact information.
  • Fairfield County DR Forms Hub. co.fairfield.oh.us/dr/DR-Court-Forms-FC.html — accessible HTML and printable PDF versions of every local DR form.
  • Local Rule 17 Standard Parenting Time Order (rev. 2023). co.fairfield.oh.us/dr/pdf/Local-Rule-17-rev-2023.03.01.pdf — current standard order.
  • Children In Between® Online. divorce-education.com/OH/fairfield — $25 online parent-education program required for cases with children.
  • Fairfield County Visitation Center. 407 East Main Street, Lancaster — supervised visitation and exchange services.
  • The Lighthouse, Inc. (CPO advocacy). 136 West Main Street, 2nd Floor, Lancaster · (740) 687-6778 ext. 3027 — free CPO advocacy (not legal advice).
  • SEOLS Virtual Legal Clinics. 4th Tuesday of every month, 5:00–7:00 p.m. Call 844-302-1800 Mon–Fri to register.

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 +1-844-694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.