Franklin County Divorce Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 26, 2026

Franklin County, Ohio · Columbus

Divorces in Franklin County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations at 373 South High Street, Columbus. Below is everything you need — court info, the right stack of forms for your situation, filing fees, and what to expect — plus attorney help if you decide you want it.

Hire Gavvl for your Franklin County divorce case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Franklin County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start (flat fees from $1,440).

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 Franklin County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Divorce (Supreme Court Form 6 without children, Form 7 with children) with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, at 373 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, or e-file at drj.fccourts.org. The deposit is set by the Clerk. You or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days before filing.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Franklin County divorce

You do not have to face the Division of Domestic Relations at 373 South High Street alone, and you do not have to guess what it will cost. Gavvl Law handles Franklin County divorces two ways: a flat-fee filing package where we build and file the right complaint packet for your situation, or full representation where an Ohio attorney carries the case from the first filing through the final decree — including the conference-and-supplemental-affidavit process Franklin uses for temporary orders.

We handle Franklin's temporary-orders detour. Most Ohio counties rule on a temporary-orders motion straight from the affidavits. Franklin sets a conference first, then orders supplemental affidavits and a hearing only if you can't agree. We prepare you for that exact sequence and file the counter affidavit inside the 14-day Civ.R. 75(N) window so you never negotiate from behind.
Flat fees quoted before you commit. For a paperwork-driven or uncontested divorce you see the price up front — no hourly surprises. If your case needs courtroom advocacy, full representation runs on a retainer, and we tell you that before you pay a dollar.
Built for two Columbus courthouses. Divorce is decided at 373 South High Street, but anything touching never-married custody or paternity runs through the Juvenile Branch at 399 South Front Street. We file in the right building the first time so your case isn't bounced or delayed.

Every Franklin County divorce with minor children requires the 'TAPP – Putting the Children First' parenting class, and Local Rule 43 puts a Standard Mutual Temporary Restraining Order in place at filing. We build both into your plan from day one so nothing stalls your final hearing in Columbus.

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: $1,440
With temporary orders: $2,015
With minor children: $2,015
With children + temporary orders: $2,300

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

On limited-scope services of $2,000 or more, Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan with no interest and no credit check — takes 60% down to start, then the balance in three monthly payments, the first due 28 days after your initial payment. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your divorce case or see payment plans & financing.

Real people — with direct lines

Stephanie Green — Managing Partner
Elizabeth Warren — Managing Partner
Niva Elgin — Director of Attorney Relations · Licensed New Mexico Attorney

Your consultation

Stephanie Green or Elizabeth Warren, our managing partners — or Niva Elgin, our Director of Attorney Relations and a licensed New Mexico attorney. They've heard hundreds of situations like yours and will tell you plainly what you need, and what you don't. Meet the firm.

Your attorney

One of our Of Counsel Ohio family-law attorneys is your attorney for the case — from the first strategy call to the final order in Franklin County. You have their name and a direct line the day your file opens. Our attorneys.

Your case team

Niva Elgin keeps your case moving as Director of Attorney Relations. Madeline Wampler, Certified Paralegal, handles documents and scheduling. Erin Schultz, Finance Manager, handles billing and payment plans. Real people who answer when you call.

95+ five-star Google reviews
60+ years of combined Ohio family-law experience
Super Lawyers Rising Stars honorees on the team: Elizabeth Warren (2021–2023) and Samantha Berkhofer (2019–2021)
Every flat fee published before you call

From first call to retained — and every step after

Consultation — A 30-minute phone call, $25. You talk with Stephanie Green, Elizabeth Warren, or Niva Elgin about what's happening and what Ohio law actually does with it. Before you hang up you'll know whether you need a lawyer at all — and if you do, you leave with a written quote: the service we recommend, the price, your financing options, and your next steps.
Choose — Pick the level of help. Pay, or set up financing. Limited-scope flat fee or full representation — you choose, with real numbers in front of you. Pay online, or secure a Gavvl Direct payment plan or third-party financing in a few minutes. Nothing is billed until you decide.
Sign — Your agreement arrives by email. Review the client agreement and sign it electronically — from your phone if you like. While you do, your attorney reviews your intake.
Get started — Your first attorney call goes on the calendar. Limited scope: your attorney's first call is scheduled from your intake. Full representation: a paralegal reaches out the same or next business day to open your file and gather what's needed, then schedules your first attorney call — and if something is urgent, you speak with the attorney first.

It's easier than ever to retain an excellent attorney.

How you'll stay updated — you never have to wonder

Every client gets GavvLink™, our client portal, on day one. Your whole case — messages, calendar, billing, status — lives in one place, and your team is a message away.

Reach your attorney directly. Message, text, email, or call. Request a callback or book time on their calendar yourself — no waiting to hear back.
Case calendar with reminders. Every hearing, deadline, and milestone, with a reminder before each one.
Case status updates. See where your case stands and what happens next, updated as it moves.
Payments and billing in real time. Every entry on your account as it posts, plus links to make a payment or add funds.
Your case team, one message away. Full-representation clients message their paralegal and case manager the same way — and they answer.
24/7 receptionists and direct lines. Something urgent after hours? A live receptionist answers around the clock and reaches your team. You also have your attorney's direct line — and a way to reach the managing partners. We return calls and messages promptly.

Can I do this without an attorney?

sometimes, yes. Ohio lets you represent yourself, and for a genuinely agreed dissolution or a simple motion, some people do. The Franklin County forms and local rules are linked in the questions below, and our free tools will draft a parenting plan or estimate child support before you spend anything.

Here's what the online-divorce platforms leave out: most Ohio counties require their own forms and language on top of the statewide ones, and a rejected filing is the most common reason people call us after trying it alone. A $25, 30-minute call tells you whether you can do this yourself — and if you can, we'll say so.

Schedule Your $25 Consultation

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: Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations

373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-4410
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Branch
399 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-4411
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Divorce is the right path if…

You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, money, property, debt, or support).
Your spouse won't sign paperwork, won't communicate, or you can't safely reach an agreement.
You need temporary orders now (support, exclusive use of the home, parenting time).
You or your spouse have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, you may want a Dissolution instead — it's faster and cheaper. See dissolution options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which forms do I need to file for divorce in Franklin County?

Core divorce filing packet (no children)

Complaint for Divorce without Children (Supreme Court Form 6) — Opens your divorce case and tells Franklin DR what you're asking for. Use when you and your spouse have no minor children together.
Affidavit of Property — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing and reused for temporary orders. Tip: Use "Est." for unknown values and "None" where something doesn't apply.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay the filing fee, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.
Request for Service / Instructions for Service — Tells the Clerk how you want the other party served (certified mail, Sheriff, or publication).
Copy of your driver's license or state ID — Front and back. If e-filing, upload as PDF with your packet.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children)

Complaint for Divorce with Children (Supreme Court Form 7) — The divorce Complaint used when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Health Insurance Affidavit — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens your case with Franklin County CSEA so support can be collected, tracked, and enforced through wage withholding.
Affidavit of Property — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing and reused for temporary orders. Tip: Use "Est." for unknown values and "None" where something doesn't apply.
Affidavit of Income and Expenses — Snapshot of gross income, take-home pay the filing fee, and monthly household expenses. Required at filing.
Request for Service / Instructions for Service — Tells the Clerk how you want the other party served (certified mail, Sheriff, or publication).
Copy of your driver's license or state ID — Front and back. If e-filing, upload as PDF with your packet.

Temporary orders add-on packet

In Franklin County the court doesn't rule on the temporary-orders motion outright — it sets a conference where both sides try to agree, then orders supplemental affidavits by a set date and schedules a hearing only if needed. Expect it to take longer than the typical 14 days, and file your counter affidavit within 14 days of service.

Motion and Affidavit for Temporary Orders — Asks the court for temporary spousal/child support, parenting time, exclusive use of the home, and bill responsibility while your case is pending. Franklin doesn't just rule on the affidavits — the court first sets a conference where both sides try to agree; if there's no agreement, the Magistrate orders supplemental affidavits by a set date and, if needed, schedules a hearing. Expect this to take longer than the typical 14 days. Tip: Attach current Affidavits of Property and Income/Expenses — Franklin DR routinely denies bare-bones motions.
Counter Affidavit for Temporary Orders — File your counter affidavit within 14 days of being served (Civ.R. 75(N)) — it's the position you'll negotiate from at the conference. If you still disagree after the court issues temporary orders, Civ.R. 75(N)(2) lets you request an oral hearing, but in Franklin the conference-and-supplemental-affidavit process usually comes first.
Standard Mutual Temporary Restraining Order (Local Rule 43) — Under Local Rule 43, this standard order issues in every Franklin County divorce, legal separation, or annulment. The filer signs the proposed order and presents it at filing, then serves a copy on the other spouse. It binds both spouses against draining accounts, canceling insurance, or hiding marital assets, and stays in effect until the court modifies it or the final decree is filed. It is not a no-contact order.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.

How to file divorce in Franklin County

Confirm Ohio residency and Franklin County venue. You or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months and a Franklin County resident for at least 90 days.
Decide whether you are filing the Complaint or answering one. Filing Form 6 (no kids) or Form 7 (with kids) opens the case. If you were served, file an Answer within 28 days or risk default.
Decide whether to request temporary orders. Strongly recommended in cases with minor children or financial dependency. Franklin sets a conference to try for agreement, then orders supplemental affidavits and a hearing only if needed — so file your counter affidavit within 14 days of service and expect it to take longer than usual.
Assemble the correct forms packet. Core complaint + Affidavits of Property and Income/Expenses, plus the children packet (UCCJEA, child-support worksheet, IV-D, health insurance) when applicable, plus a temporary-orders motion if needed.
File at 373 South High Street or e-file at drj.fccourts.org. Deposit is set by the court, paid to the Franklin County DR Clerk. Card payments include a processing fee.
Complete "TAPP – Putting the Children First" (if children) and file the Certificate. Required for both parents in any case with minor children. Confirm the current fee and format with the court; the Certificate must be filed before the final hearing.

What does divorce cost in Franklin County?

Two numbers matter. The court's filing fee, which the Clerk sets and can confirm. And the attorney work: Our published flat fees from $1,440 cover drafting and filing the paperwork (limited scope — the court's filing fee is invoiced separately), with payment plans available. Prefer full representation? An attorney can carry the whole case on a retainer — every number is published in the pricing section above.

What forms do I need for divorce in Franklin County?

It depends on your situation — children, temporary orders, and which court you file in all change the packet. Answer the quick questions in the paperwork section above and your exact Franklin County checklist appears, with every official form linked as a PDF.

How long does divorce take in Franklin County?

It depends on how much you and the other side agree. Agreed matters generally move through Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations in months, not years; contested cases take longer. The part you control is filing a complete, correct packet the first time — bounced paperwork is the most common self-filing delay.

Do we really need lawyers if we agree?

Maybe not — and we'll say so at a $25 consultation. But an agreement only counts if it survives on paper, in the exact packet Franklin County's court expects, and what you file becomes a binding court decree that is hard to fix later. Precision drafting for people who already agree is most of what our flat-fee work is: done once, done right.

Where are the Franklin County local rules, and what does this court do differently?

Judges, magistrates, and filing fees change, so we do not publish them here. Franklin County posts the current information itself:

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations — local rules, standing orders, and the current judges and magistrates.
Franklin County local rules — the court's own rules for filings, hearings, and required local forms.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts — current filing fees and deposits, e-filing, and case records.

Standard restraining order issues at filing. Under Local Rule 43, a Standard Mutual Temporary Restraining Order is part of every Franklin divorce. The filer signs and presents it at filing and serves the other spouse; it binds both against draining accounts, dropping insurance, or hiding assets.
Temporary orders take an extra step. Franklin doesn't rule on the motion — it sets a conference to try for agreement, then orders supplemental affidavits and a hearing only if needed. Attach current financial affidavits or your motion will be denied.
Two physical intakes. DR is on the upper floors at 373 South High Street; the Juvenile Branch is a separate building at 399 South Front Street.

Are there free legal resources in Franklin County?

Franklin County DR Self-Help Resource Center. 373 South High Street. Forms, computer terminals, limited procedural help. Cannot give legal advice. Mon–Fri during court hours.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus. (614) 241-2001. Income-qualified family law representation and advice clinics across central Ohio.
Columbus Bar Lawyer Referral Service. (614) 221-0754. Paid 30-minute consultation referrals to vetted Franklin County family-law attorneys.
Franklin County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency). (614) 525-3275. Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding.
Franklin County Juvenile Branch Help Center. 399 South Front Street. Procedural help for self-represented filers on never-married custody, paternity, and support cases.

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.
What Happens If I Move Out Before the Divorce? (Ohio Myths vs. Reality) — Moving out of the marital home does not forfeit your share of the house, your retirement, or your right to parent your children. It can affect the date the court uses to divide property, and it can affect custody indirectly if you become less involved. This guide separates the myths from what Ohio law actually does, and explains why temporary orders solve most of it.
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.
Dividing Property in an Ohio Divorce — Ohio divides marital property equitably — meaning fairly, not always equally. The first step is classifying every asset and debt. Here's how the process works.
Who Gets the House in an Ohio Divorce? — The marital home is often a couple's biggest asset and most emotional decision. Ohio divides its equity equitably — through a buyout, a sale, or a deferred sale. Here's how.

Understand the cost

Cost of Divorce in Franklin County — Real filing fees, court costs, timeline, and flat-fee options for a divorce in Franklin County.
Columbus Divorce Lawyers — Flat-fee divorce representation for Columbus and Franklin County — pricing, process, and local courts.
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 (380) 205-3899 or email support@gavvl.com.