Fulton County Divorce Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026

Fulton County, Ohio · Wauseon

Fulton County is a small rural county in northwest Ohio. There is NO separate Domestic Relations Court — your divorce is filed at the Court of Common Pleas (General Division) at 210 S. Fulton Street in Wauseon, in front of Hon. Scott Haselman, who handles civil and criminal cases in the same courtroom. Two practical realities shape every Fulton filing: (1) since July 1, 2013, the courthouse does NOT provide paper forms — you must download everything from the Ohio Supreme Court website; and (2) court staff cannot help you select or fill out the right forms. Fulton publishes four local Parenting Schedules (A, A-1, B, C) that the judge uses as a baseline, plus a local Child Support Worksheet used alongside the Ohio Child Support Calculator output.

Hire Gavvl for your Fulton County divorce case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Fulton 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 Fulton County, Ohio?

File the Complaint for Divorce (Ohio SC Form 6 without children or Form 7 with children) at the Fulton County Clerk of Courts, 210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon. Include Affidavit 1 (Financial) and Affidavit 2 (Property). With children, add Affidavit 3 (UCCJEA/Parenting Proceeding), Affidavit 4 (Health Insurance), the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, Fulton's local Child Support Worksheet, a parenting plan, and one of Fulton's local Parenting Schedules (A, A-1, B, or C) as the baseline. Download every form from supremecourt.ohio.gov — Fulton does not stock paper forms at the courthouse. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Fulton County for at least 90 days. Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final hearing; the defendant has 28 days to file an Answer. Filing fees are in Appendix B of the Local Rules — call the Clerk at (419) 337-9260 to confirm. Affidavit of Indigency available if you cannot afford the fee. Both parents with minor children must complete a court-approved parenting-education seminar before the final hearing.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Fulton County divorce

Fulton County has no separate Domestic Relations Court, so your divorce shares a docket with civil and criminal cases in front of Hon. Scott Haselman at 210 S. Fulton Street in Wauseon, and since July 1, 2013 the courthouse hands out no paper forms at all. Gavvl Law downloads and assembles the right Ohio Supreme Court complaint (Form 6 or Form 7), the financial and property affidavits, and the local worksheets, then works your case around the judge's shared calendar. Straightforward divorces get a flat fee approved up front with payment plans available; contested cases get full representation.

No paper forms means no room for error. Since 2013 Fulton stocks nothing at the counter and court staff are barred from helping you pick or fill out forms. We pull every Form 6 or Form 7 complaint, Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2, and, with children, Affidavit 3, Affidavit 4, and both child-support worksheets from supremecourt.ohio.gov so your packet is complete the first time.
One judge, one crowded docket. Because Hon. Scott Haselman hears domestic relations alongside civil and criminal matters, hearing dates hinge on the whole court calendar. We track the 42-day post-service wait, the 28-day answer window, and the Court Order No. 1 mutual preliminary injunction that issues automatically, so nothing stalls your decree.
Parenting seminar and schedule choices handled. With children you must finish Fulton's mandatory parenting program within 75 days under Local Rule 11.01 and pick a parenting-time baseline from Schedules A, A-1, B, or C. We register you early, including the online option at assistingourkids.com when it is approved, and draft the schedule that fits your family.

If the Appendix B deposit is tight, we prepare an Affidavit of Indigency, and if your spouse cannot be located we build the case for service and default. Because we file at the Wauseon Clerk's counter regularly, and confirm every current fee at (419) 337-9260 before filing, your paperwork lands the way Fulton expects it rather than bouncing back for a missing worksheet or the wrong schedule.

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.

Start your divorce case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Fulton County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567
Phone: (419) 337-9260
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Fulton County Juvenile Division
210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567
Phone: (419) 337-9242
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (closed daily 12:00-1:00 PM)

Divorce is the right path if…

You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, money, property, debt, or support).
Your spouse won't sign paperwork or won't communicate.
You need temporary orders now — for support, parenting time, or exclusive use of the home.
You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Fulton County for at least 90 days.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a Dissolution is faster — same court, joint petition. See Fulton County dissolution.

Filing Fees

Filing fees in Appendix B of the Local Rules — call (419) 337-9260 · 42-day waiting period after service · 28 days to answer · No paper forms at courthouse · Court staff cannot help with forms · Approved parenting seminar required for children's cases

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — Contact Clerk (Appendix B)

Download every form from the Ohio Supreme Court website — Fulton does not stock paper forms at the courthouse.

Complaint for Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 6) — Opens your Fulton County divorce when there are no minor children.
Financial Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Decree of Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 14) — Proposed final order ending the marriage.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — Contact Clerk (Appendix B)

Adds the UCCJEA/parenting affidavits, both child-support worksheets, and a Fulton Parenting Schedule baseline.

Complaint for Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 7) — Opens your Fulton County divorce when minor children are involved. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child support.
Financial Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit / UCCJEA (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Use alongside Fulton's local worksheet.
Fulton County Local Child Support Worksheet — Local version used in addition to the Ohio Child Support Calculator output.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian. Attach one of Fulton's local Parenting Schedules (A, A-1, B, or C) as the baseline.
Fulton Parenting Schedule A — One of Fulton's four local parenting-time templates. Attach the schedule you want incorporated into the order.
Decree of Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 15) — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children.

Shared parenting add-on

Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents and legal custodians under R.C. 3109.04(G).

Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.

Temporary orders add-on packet

File under Civ. R. 75(N) with a current Affidavit 1 and Affidavit 2 attached.

Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach a current Affidavit 1 (Financial) and Affidavit 2 (Property).
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Use alongside Fulton's local worksheet.

How to File Divorce in Fulton County

Confirm Ohio + Fulton County residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Fulton County for at least 90 days before filing.
Pick your grounds. Ohio recognizes no-fault grounds (living separate and apart for 1 year, or incompatibility unless denied) and fault grounds in R.C. 3105.01 (adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect, habitual drunkenness, fraudulent contract, imprisonment, or willful absence for 1 year).
Download everything from the Ohio SC site. Complaint (Form 6 or 5), Affidavit 1, Affidavit 2 — plus with children, Affidavit 3, Affidavit 4, child-support worksheets, and a parenting plan. Fulton does not stock paper forms.
Pick a Fulton Parenting Schedule (with children). Choose A, A-1, B, or C as your parenting-time baseline, or prepare a custom schedule. Attach it to your parenting plan.
File at the Clerk of Courts in Wauseon. 210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567. Pay the filing fee from Appendix B (call (419) 337-9260 first) or file an Affidavit of Indigency.
Serve your spouse and wait 42 days. Service can be by certified mail, Sheriff, or process server. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer or Counterclaim. A final hearing cannot be held until at least 42 days after service is completed.
Complete the parenting seminar (if children). Complete Fulton's mandatory parenting program within 75 days of filing (DR Local Rule 11.01) and file the certificate of completion with the Clerk before the final hearing. The approved online option is at assistingourkids.com, allowed by request to the Assignment Commissioner for cause.

Fulton County Practice Notes

No paper forms at the courthouse. Since July 1, 2013, the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas does NOT provide paper domestic-relations forms. You must download everything from the Ohio Supreme Court website at supremecourt.ohio.gov before walking in.
Court staff cannot help with forms. Fulton's court website states this prominently. If you need help selecting or completing the right forms, consult an attorney — clerks and other court personnel are prohibited from giving legal advice.
Pick a Fulton Parenting Schedule (or attach your own). Fulton publishes four local Parenting Schedules — A, A-1, B, and C — that the judge uses as a baseline. Review them all before deciding which best fits your situation, or attach a fully custom schedule to your parenting plan.
Use both child-support worksheets. Run the Ohio Child Support Calculator AND also fill out Fulton's local Child Support Worksheet at fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/250. The judge expects both in the file.
One judge for everything. Hon. Scott Haselman hears DR cases alongside civil and criminal matters. Scheduling can be tight — your hearing date depends on the full court calendar.
Parenting seminar before final hearing. Both parents in any case with minor children must complete the mandatory parenting program (DR Local Rule 11.01) within 75 days of filing, before the final hearing. If you take the class in the county where the case is filed, the cost comes out of your court-cost deposit; an approved online option is available at assistingourkids.com by request to the Assignment Commissioner for cause. A missed session incurs a $10 rescheduling fee.
Watch the local Court Orders. The judge frequently uses Fulton's numbered local Court Order templates (1-8) plus a Pretrial Order and Settlement Conference Notice to set schedules and procedural expectations. Read any order you receive carefully and calendar the deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Fulton County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Fulton County for at least 90 days before filing. Dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency.
How much does it cost to file in Fulton County?: Fulton uses two different fee structures depending on the court. Domestic Relations (General Division) cases — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree motions — follow the Appendix B security-cost schedule ($325 without children, $400 with children, $280 post-judgment with children); call the Clerk of Courts at (419) 337-9260. Juvenile Division cases — paternity, custody/parenting allocation, and support for never-married parents — follow Fulton Juvenile Rule 20 (Security for Costs), where a complaint or motion for allocation of parental rights, parenting time, or companionship carries a $200.00 cost deposit ($50 mediation fee deducted); call the Juvenile/Probate Division at (419) 337-9242. An Affidavit of Indigency is available to waive fees for qualifying low-income filers.
Why doesn't the courthouse have paper forms?: Since July 1, 2013, the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas does not provide paper domestic-relations forms at the courthouse. All standardized forms are free on the Ohio Supreme Court website at supremecourt.ohio.gov. The court's staff also cannot help you choose or fill out the right forms — if you need help, consult an attorney.
Does Fulton County have a separate Domestic Relations Court?: No. Fulton County does not have a separate DR Court. All family-law cases — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree motions — are heard in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas by Hon. Scott Haselman, who also handles civil and criminal cases. Cases involving never-married parents go to the combined Juvenile/Probate Court, a separate court in the same courthouse with its own local rules.
What parenting-time schedule will the court use in my case?: Fulton publishes four local Parenting Schedules — A, A-1, B, and C — that the judge uses as a baseline. You can attach one of those to your parenting plan, or submit a fully custom schedule. Review all four templates on the Fulton local forms page before deciding which best fits your situation.
What are the Fulton County local Court Orders 1-8?: Fulton publishes eight numbered local Court Order templates plus a Pretrial Order and Settlement Conference Notice. The judge frequently uses these orders during the case to set schedules, discovery deadlines, and procedural expectations. You'll see them on the local forms page at fultoncountyoh.com/235/Forms.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Fulton County?: Yes. Under R.C. 3109.053 and DR Local Rule 11.01, any party in a case allocating parental rights for minor children (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and juvenile custody matters as ordered) must complete the mandatory parenting program within 75 days of filing the complaint or motion. If you take the class in the county where your case is filed, the cost is paid from your court-cost deposit; if you are permitted to attend online or out of county, you pay the provider directly. The online option is allowed by request to the Assignment Commissioner for cause (language barrier, out-of-state party, disability, or financial hardship) and is accessed at assistingourkids.com. A missed scheduled session costs a $10 rescheduling fee. Cases with children ages 5 through 17 also complete the "What About Me" program (Rule 11.03). Failing to complete on time can make you ineligible to receive an allocation of parental rights.
How long does a Fulton County divorce take?: Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final hearing. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer after service. Uncontested divorces typically run 4-6 months; contested cases routinely run 8-18 months depending on discovery and the court's calendar. Because one judge handles DR alongside civil and criminal dockets, scheduling can be tight.
Do I have to use Fulton's local Child Support Worksheet?: Use both. Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov, print and sign that output, and also use Fulton's local Child Support Worksheet at fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/250. The judge expects both to be in the file.

Free Local Resources in Fulton County

Fulton County Court of Common Pleas. 210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567. Phone (419) 337-9260 · Fax (419) 337-9293. Hon. Scott Haselman presides — handles DR, civil, and criminal cases.
Fulton County Local Rules (rev. 1/26/2024). fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/13192 — includes Appendix B fee schedule.
Fulton County Court Fee Schedule (Appendix B). fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/13191/appendix-b — confirm current amount with Clerk before filing.
Fulton County Local Forms Page. fultoncountyoh.com/235/Forms — Court Orders 1-8, Pretrial Order, Settlement Conference Notice, and Parenting Schedules A/A-1/B/C.
Local Child Support Worksheet. fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/250 — used alongside the Ohio Child Support Calculator output.
Fulton County Juvenile Division. Same courthouse; separate court with its own rules. Phone (419) 337-9242 · Fax (419) 337-9273 (closed daily 12:00-1:00 PM). Forms at fultoncountyoh.com/650/Juvenile-Court-Forms. Birth certificate required at filing for Grandparent POA / Caretaker Affidavit and Application for Custodian filings.
Juvenile Local Rules (2021). fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/13596 — covers juvenile filing requirements.
Online Dockets / Records Search. fultoncountyoh.com/231/Records-Search
The Center for Child & Family Advocacy (CPO help). (419) 335-4255 · theccfa.org — free Civil Protection Order assistance.
Legal Aid Hotline. (888) 534-1432 · legalaidline.lawolaw.org — free phone-based legal advice for income-qualified residents.
Ohio Supreme Court Standardized DR & Juvenile Forms. supremecourt.ohio.gov — Fulton does not provide paper forms; download everything here.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the worksheet and print it for filing.
Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and interactive court forms.

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.

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.

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