Filing for Divorce with Children in Fulton County

File for divorce with minor children in the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas (General Division). Step-by-step guidance, 13 required forms, Contact Clerk — fees published in Appendix B of the Local Rules filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.

Fulton County is a small rural county in northwest Ohio. Unlike larger counties, it does NOT have a separate Domestic Relations Court — every family-law case is heard in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas in Wauseon by Hon. Scott Haselman, who handles civil and criminal matters in the same courtroom. Two practical realities shape every Fulton filing: (1) since July 1, 2013, the court does not provide paper forms at the courthouse — 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) the judge uses as a baseline, plus eight numbered local Court Order templates and a Pretrial/Settlement Conference order. Filing fees are listed in Appendix B of the Local Rules — call the Clerk at (419) 337-9260 to confirm before filing.

Fulton County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567
Phone: (419) 337-9260
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: fultoncountyoh.com

Fulton County Clerk of Courts, 210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567. Phone (419) 337-9260 · Fax (419) 337-9293.

Filing Fees

Contact Clerk — fees published in Appendix B of the Local Rules

Payment methods: Confirm current fee with the Clerk before filing. Affidavit of Indigency available to waive fees for qualifying low-income filers.

Fulton County Procedure Quirks

  • No dedicated Domestic Relations Court — all family-law cases are heard in the General Division of Common Pleas by Hon. Scott Haselman alongside civil and criminal matters.
  • Since July 1, 2013, the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas does NOT provide paper domestic-relations forms at the courthouse. All standardized forms must be downloaded from the Ohio Supreme Court website.
  • Court staff cannot help you select or fill out forms — this is posted prominently on the court's website. If you need help, consult an attorney.
  • Fulton County publishes four local Parenting Schedules (A, A-1, B, and C) that the court uses as a baseline. Review these even if you plan to submit a custom plan.
  • Eight numbered local Court Order templates (1-8) plus a Pretrial Order and Settlement Conference Notice — the judge frequently uses these orders during the case.
  • Filing fees are listed in Appendix B of the Local Rules. Call the Clerk at (419) 337-9260 to confirm the current amount before filing.
  • Because one judge handles DR alongside civil and criminal dockets, scheduling can be tight — plan for hearings to be set based on the full court calendar.

Parenting Class

Court-approved parenting seminar (required for cases with minor children) — Confirm the current approved provider with the Court Administrator at (419) 337-9260 before paying for a class.
Ohio law requires both parents to attend an approved parenting-education class before the court will finalize a divorce or dissolution involving minor children. File the certificate of completion with the Clerk before the final hearing.

Judges

  • Hon. Scott Haselman (handles DR, civil, and criminal cases)

Fulton County Juvenile Division

210 S. Fulton Street, Wauseon, OH 43567
Phone: (419) 337-9260
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: https://www.fultoncountyoh.com/650/Juvenile-Court-Forms

Like the DR side, no paper forms are provided — download from the Ohio Supreme Court site. A child's birth certificate must be filed with any Grandparent Power of Attorney / Caretaker Affidavit or Application for Custodian — this is a firm requirement, not optional. House Bill 130 POA/CAA and Application for Custodian forms are local; the Local Child Support Worksheet is also local. Juvenile Local Rules dated 2021.

Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile

Fulton County funnels everything through one courthouse at 210 S. Fulton Street in Wauseon, in front of Hon. Scott Haselman. Married couples file divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment with the General Division (no separate DR Court). Never-married parents file custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity with the Juvenile Division. The Juvenile Division also requires a birth certificate at filing for Grandparent POA / Caretaker Affidavits and Applications for Custodian — that is a firm rule.

Free Local Resources in Fulton County

  • Fulton County Court of Common Pleas. fultoncountyoh.com — Hon. Scott Haselman. Online dockets, local forms, and local rules.
  • Fulton County Local Rules (rev. 1/26/2024). fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/13192 — includes Appendix B fee schedule.
  • 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.
  • Fulton County Local Child Support Worksheet. fultoncountyoh.com/DocumentCenter/View/250 — local version used in addition to the Ohio Child Support Calculator output.
  • The Center for Child & Family Advocacy (CPO help). (419) 335-4255 · theccfa.org — free Civil Protection Order advocacy.
  • Legal Aid Hotline. (888) 534-1432 · legalaidline.lawolaw.org — free phone-based legal advice for income-qualified residents.
  • Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — plain-language guides and interactive court forms.

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.