Greene County Protection Order Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Greene County, Ohio · Xenia

A civil protection order requires an abuser to stay away from and stop harming the protected person. The Greene County Domestic Relations Court at 595 Ledbetter Road issues four kinds: domestic-violence (R.C. 3113.31), dating-violence, civil-stalking, and sexually-oriented-offense protection orders (R.C. 2903.214). There is no filing fee for the petitioner, an ex parte hearing is held the same day you file, and the Court's Protection Order Coordinator, Sheri Hall, (937) 562-6236, assists litigants from petition through the full hearing. Where the respondent is a minor, a Juvenile Civil Protection Order is filed in the Juvenile Division instead.

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How do I file for a protection order in Greene County, Ohio?

Complete the petition packet that matches your situation and file it at the Greene County Domestic Relations Court, 595 Ledbetter Road, Xenia — there is no filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(J); R.C. 2903.214). Use the Domestic Violence packet for a family or household member, the Dating Violence packet for a dating partner, or the Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense packet for menacing-by-stalking or sex-offense conduct (no domestic relationship required). An ex parte hearing is held the same day you file; if granted, the order is effective immediately once served. A full hearing follows within 7 to 10 court days, and both parties must exchange exhibits and witness lists at least 7 days before trial (Local Rule 7.2(A)). A full DVCPO can last up to 5 years. A divorce decree or divorce-case filing does not modify a CPO — that takes a separate motion, service, and hearing. The Protection Order Coordinator, Sheri Hall, (937) 562-6236, can help.

Greene County protection orders, handled by Gavvl Law

A civil protection order can require an abuser to stay away and stop the harm, and the Greene County Domestic Relations Court at 595 Ledbetter Road issues four kinds — domestic-violence (R.C. 3113.31), dating-violence, civil-stalking, and sexually-oriented-offense orders (R.C. 2903.214). There is no filing fee for the petitioner and an ex parte hearing is held the same day you file, but the case is won or lost at the full hearing 7 to 10 court days later. Gavvl Law picks the right petition packet, prepares your testimony and exhibits, and represents you when it counts.

The petition packet that matches the conduct. Greene publishes separate packets for domestic-violence, dating-violence, and civil-stalking or sexually-oriented-offense petitions, and a minor respondent goes to a Juvenile Civil Protection Order instead. We choose the one that fits your relationship and the conduct so the petition is not dismissed on the threshold question.
Ready for the full hearing, not just the ex parte. A granted ex parte order takes effect once served, but a full DVCPO of up to five years is decided at the later hearing, where Local Rule 7.2(A) requires exchanging exhibits and witness lists at least seven days beforehand. We meet that deadline and put on evidence, not just a story.
A divorce does not end your order. Greene's local rules are explicit that a divorce decree or a filing in the divorce case does not modify a protection order — changing or dismissing one takes a separate motion, service, and hearing, and a petitioner dropping an ex parte order must appear and state the reason on the record. We keep the two cases from undercutting each other.

The Court's Protection Order Coordinator, Sheri Hall, at (937) 562-6236, helps litigants with scheduling and service, and a granted order is transmitted to BCI, NCIC, and LEADS so law enforcement can act — because violating a CPO is a crime under R.C. 2919.27. We work alongside that process, prepare you for cross-examination, and stand with you from petition through the full hearing.

Flat-fee options

Flat fee: we file your DV civil protection order petition and represent you at the ex parte and full hearings — or, if you are the responding party, defend you at the full hearing.

Defend a protection order (full hearing): $2,900
File a DV protection order (petition + hearings): $3,500

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Where to File: Greene County Domestic Relations Court

595 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, OH 45385
Phone: (937) 562-6249
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Greene County Court of Common Pleas — Juvenile Division
2100 Greene Way Blvd., Xenia, OH 45385
Phone: (937) 562-4000
Hours: Court: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM · Clerk's Office: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

A family or household member has harmed or threatened you (domestic violence).
A dating partner has harmed or threatened you (dating violence).
Someone is menacing or stalking you, with no domestic relationship required.
You are the victim of a sexually oriented offense.
You need immediate, same-day protection while a full hearing is scheduled.

A protection order runs separately from any divorce or custody case — and a divorce filing does not end it. See Greene County divorce.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31(J); R.C. 2903.214) · Same-day ex parte hearing · Full hearing within 7–10 court days · Exhibits/witnesses exchanged 7 days before trial · Full DVCPO up to 5 years

Forms & Filing Packets

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (R.C. 3113.31) — No petitioner fee

For a family or household member. No filing fee for the petitioner; same-day ex parte hearing.

Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order Packet — With Children (Greene County DR) — The DVCPO petition packet (R.C. 3113.31) for a family or household member when children are involved. No filing fee for the petitioner.
Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order Packet — Without Children (Greene County DR) — The DVCPO petition packet (R.C. 3113.31) with no children involved. No filing fee for the petitioner.

Dating Violence Protection Order — No petitioner fee

For a person in a dating relationship with the respondent.

Dating Violence Protection Order Packet (Greene County DR) — The petition packet for a person in a dating relationship with the respondent. No filing fee for the petitioner.

Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order (R.C. 2903.214) — No petitioner fee

For menacing-by-stalking or sexually-oriented-offense victims — no domestic relationship required.

Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order Packet (Greene County DR) — The petition packet for menacing-by-stalking or sexually-oriented-offense victims (R.C. 2903.214) — no domestic relationship required. No filing fee for the petitioner.

Modify or terminate an existing order

A divorce decree or divorce-case filing does NOT modify a CPO — file a motion, obtain service, and appear for a hearing.

DV / Dating Violence Motion to Modify or Terminate CPO (Greene County DR) — Modifies or dismisses a DV/dating-violence protection order. A divorce decree or divorce-case filing does NOT modify a CPO — a separate motion, service, and hearing are required.
Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense Motion to Modify or Terminate (Greene County DR) — Modifies or dismisses a civil stalking or sexually-oriented-offense protection order (R.C. 2903.214). A separate motion, service, and hearing are required — a divorce filing does not modify a CSPO/SOOPO.

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Greene County

Choose the right petition packet. Domestic Violence (family/household member), Dating Violence (dating partner), or Civil Stalking / Sexually Oriented Offense (menacing/stalking or sex offense, no relationship required).
File at the DR Court — no fee. File the petition at 595 Ledbetter Road, Xenia. There is no filing fee for the petitioner. The Protection Order Coordinator, Sheri Hall, (937) 562-6236, can assist.
Attend the same-day ex parte hearing. If the petition shows immediate danger, the Court holds an ex parte hearing that day; a granted order takes effect immediately once the respondent is served.
Prepare for the full hearing. A full hearing is set within 7 to 10 court days. Exchange exhibits and witness lists with the other side at least 7 days before trial (Local Rule 7.2(A)).
Attend the full hearing. Present your evidence. The Court may issue a full CPO (up to 5 years for DVCPO), approve a consent agreement, or deny the order — in which case the ex parte records are sealed after the appeal period.

Greene County Practice Notes

No fee and same-day protection. Petitioners are never charged a filing fee for DVCPO or stalking/SOOPO petitions. An ex parte hearing is held the same day you file; if granted, the order is effective immediately once served, and the Court transmits order data to BCI, NCIC, and LEADS (Local Rule 7.2(D)).
Choose the right packet. Greene County publishes separate packets for domestic-violence (R.C. 3113.31), dating-violence, and civil-stalking / sexually-oriented-offense petitions (R.C. 2903.214). Pick the one that matches your relationship to the respondent and the conduct involved; if the respondent is a minor, file a Juvenile Civil Protection Order in the Juvenile Division.
A divorce does not end a CPO. Greene County's local rules are explicit: a divorce decree or a filing in the divorce case does not modify a protection order. Changing or dismissing one requires a separate motion, service, and hearing — and a petitioner dismissing an ex parte order must personally appear and state the reason on the record.
The Protection Order Coordinator can help. Sheri Hall, the Court's Protection Order Coordinator, (937) 562-6236, assists litigants from petition through the full hearing, manages scheduling, and tracks service. Violating a CPO is a crime (R.C. 2919.27) — call law enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to file for a protection order in Greene County?: No. Petitioners are not charged filing fees for domestic-violence civil protection orders (R.C. 3113.31(J)) or for stalking/sexually-oriented-offense petitions (R.C. 2903.214). The Court's Protection Order Coordinator, Sheri Hall, (937) 562-6236, assists litigants from petition through the full hearing.
How fast can I get a protection order in Greene County?: An ex parte hearing is held the same day you file the petition; if granted, the order takes effect immediately once served. A full hearing follows within 7 to 10 court days, and both parties must exchange exhibits and witness lists at least 7 days before trial (Local Rule 7.2(A)). A full DVCPO can last up to 5 years.
Will my divorce automatically end a protection order in Greene County?: No. Greene County's local rules are explicit: a divorce decree or a filing in the divorce case does not modify a CPO. To change or dismiss a protection order you must file a separate motion, obtain service, and appear for a hearing. A petitioner dismissing an ex parte order must personally appear and state the reason on the record.
What kinds of protection orders does the Greene County DR Court issue?: Four kinds: Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders (R.C. 3113.31), Dating Violence Protection Orders, Civil Stalking Protection Orders, and Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Orders (R.C. 2903.214). Where the respondent is a minor, a Juvenile Civil Protection Order is filed in the Juvenile Division instead.

Free Local Resources in Greene County

Self-Represented Parties Hub & Pro Se Guide. greenecountyohio.gov/420/Self-Represented-Parties — Greene's official online resource page for SRPs, including a comprehensive Pro Se Guide for the divorce-with-children process.
Clerk of Courts (filing after compliance review). Greene County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division, Greene County Courthouse, 45 N. Detroit Street, Xenia. Pleadings are filed here only after the DR Court's Local Rule 1.7 compliance review.
Greene County Juvenile Court. 2100 Greene Way Blvd., Xenia. (937) 562-4000.
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 protection orders case

Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on protection orders and related Ohio family law topics.

Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How to Get a CPO — An Ohio civil protection order can provide fast, court-ordered protection from domestic violence — including no-contact terms, exclusive home use, and temporary custody. Here's how to get one.
Emergency Custody in Ohio: When and How to Get an Ex Parte Order — When a child faces immediate danger, Ohio courts can grant emergency custody on short notice through an ex parte order. Here's what qualifies and what happens next.