Greene County Divorce Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 10, 2026

Greene County, Ohio · Xenia

A Greene County divorce is heard at the Domestic Relations Court at 595 Ledbetter Road in Xenia, and the county runs an unusual pre-filing step: under Local Rule 1.7, your pleadings must first pass a compliance review by the Court — only after approval does it forward them to the Greene County Clerk of Courts for filing. Judge Cynthia Martin presides, with Magistrates Amanda Holmes, Kimberly Stump Combs, and Mark Donatelli. The filing deposit is $350, there is no e-filing, and the court publishes one of Ohio's most thorough Self-Represented Parties Hubs — including a full Pro Se Guide.

Hire Gavvl for your Greene County divorce case

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

Build your packet using the Greene County Self-Represented Parties Hub and Pro Se Guide at greenecountyohio.gov/420/Self-Represented-Parties. Greene uses a two-step filing process: first submit your pleadings to the Domestic Relations Court at 595 Ledbetter Road for the mandatory Local Rule 1.7 compliance review, then — after the Court approves them — they are forwarded to the Greene County Clerk of Courts at the Greene County Courthouse, 45 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, for filing. There is no e-filing; file on paper. The filing deposit is $350. Include the Complaint (OSC Form 6 or 7), the mandatory Affidavit of Financial Disclosure (Affidavit 1), and Affidavit 2 (Property) — plus Affidavit 3 (UCCJEA), Affidavit 4 (Health Insurance), the child support worksheet, and a parenting plan when children are involved. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Greene County for at least 90 days. Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final hearing.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Greene County divorce

A Greene County divorce runs through an unusual two-step: under Local Rule 1.7 your pleadings must first pass a compliance review by the Domestic Relations Court at 595 Ledbetter Road, and only after approval are they forwarded to the Greene County Clerk of Courts at 45 N. Detroit Street for filing with the $350 deposit. There is no e-filing. Gavvl Law builds the complaint and mandatory affidavits to clear that review the first time, so your case gets a number instead of a bounce-back.

Compliance review passed on the first submission. Submitting a packet for the Local Rule 1.7 review is not itself a filing, and a rejected packet sends you back to the start. We prepare the Complaint (OSC Form 6 or 7) with the mandatory Affidavit of Financial Disclosure and property affidavit so the DR Court approves it and forwards it to the Clerk.
Everything filed on paper, correctly. Greene's DR Court does not accept e-filing, so the complaint, affidavits, UCCJEA and health-insurance affidavits, child-support worksheet, and parenting plan all go in on paper. We keep that package complete because a signed financial affidavit is mandatory in every single case.
The 42-day clock managed for you. Ohio bars any final divorce hearing until at least 42 days after service is perfected, and the defendant has 28 days to answer — deadlines that cannot be waived even when the case is uncontested. We arrange service and track those dates so nothing stalls the path to a decree.

Greene requires 6 months in Ohio and 90 days in the county before filing, and with minor children both parents complete the Seminar for Separating Parents through OnlineParentingPrograms.com ($29.99, about two hours) within 30 days. We know Judge Cynthia Martin's court and its magistrates, use the county's own Self-Represented Parties Hub as the roadmap, and offer a flat fee for uncontested divorces with full representation for contested ones.

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: 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

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 Greene County for at least 90 days.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a dissolution is faster and cheaper at the same court. Compare divorce vs. dissolution.

Filing Fees

$350 filing deposit · Local Rule 1.7 compliance review before filing · no e-filing (paper) · 42-day waiting period after service · 28 days to answer

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — $350

Build with the Self-Represented Parties Hub and Pro Se Guide, then submit it for the DR Court's Local Rule 1.7 compliance review before the Clerk of Courts files it.

Complaint for Divorce without Children (Ohio SC Form 6) — Opens your divorce case and tells the court what you're asking for. Use when you and your spouse have no minor children together.
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. Prepare in advance; the Judge signs it at the final hearing.

Core divorce filing packet (with minor children) — $350

Follow the Pro Se Guide's divorce-with-children walkthrough and register for the Seminar for Separating Parents.

Complaint for Divorce with Children (Ohio SC Form 7) — The divorce Complaint used when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
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 / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any 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.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
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 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 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 Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) and Affidavit 2 (Property).
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign.

How to File Divorce in Greene County

Confirm Ohio + Greene County residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Greene 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 (adultery, extreme cruelty, gross neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, and others).
Build your packet with the Pro Se Guide. Use the Self-Represented Parties Hub at greenecountyohio.gov/420/Self-Represented-Parties to assemble the Complaint, affidavits, and parenting forms.
Register for the Seminar for Separating Parents (if children). Parents with minor children complete the online Co-Parenting/Divorce Class through OnlineParentingPrograms.com ($29.99, about 2 hours) within 30 days of the order.
Pass compliance review, then file. Submit your packet to the DR Court at 595 Ledbetter Road for the Local Rule 1.7 compliance review; after approval it is forwarded to the Greene County Clerk of Courts at 45 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, for filing with the $350 deposit. Hearings later take place at 595 Ledbetter Road.
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. A final hearing cannot be held until at least 42 days after service is completed.

Greene County Practice Notes

Compliance review comes before filing. Under Local Rule 1.7, every self-represented packet must first be submitted to the DR Court at 595 Ledbetter Road for a compliance review. Only after the Court approves it is it forwarded to the Clerk of Courts for filing — submitting for review is not itself a filing.
Use the Self-Represented Parties Hub. Greene publishes a thorough SRP Hub at greenecountyohio.gov/420/Self-Represented-Parties with a full Pro Se Guide that walks the entire divorce-with-children process.
No e-filing — file on paper. Greene's Domestic Relations Court does not accept e-filing. File on paper, in person or by mail; fax is allowed only within Local Rule 1.11 limits. A signed Affidavit of Financial Disclosure is mandatory in every case.
Seminar for Separating Parents with children. Parents with minor children must complete Greene's parent-education requirement — the online Co-Parenting/Divorce Class through OnlineParentingPrograms.com ($29.99, about 2 hours) — within 30 days of the order.
42-day waiting period is mandatory. Ohio law forbids a final divorce hearing until at least 42 days after service is perfected. This cannot be waived even when the case is uncontested.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Greene County?: You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months and in Greene County for at least 90 days before filing for divorce. A dissolution only requires the 6-month Ohio residency. Greene County serves Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Bowersville, Cedarville, Clifton, Fairborn, Jamestown, Springfield, Xenia, and all county townships.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Greene County?: The filing deposit for a divorce is $350 (a fee waiver is available with a Poverty Affidavit or Affidavit of Indigency). Confirm accepted payment methods with the Greene County Clerk of Courts Legal Division before you file.
Where do I actually file in Greene County?: Greene County uses a two-step process. First, submit your pleadings to the Domestic Relations Court at 595 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, for a mandatory compliance review (Local Rule 1.7). Once the Court approves them, it forwards your documents to the Greene County Clerk of Courts at the Greene County Courthouse, 45 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, for filing. Hearings are held at the DR Court on Ledbetter Road, and there is no e-filing for DR cases — file on paper.
Does Greene County have a self-help resource for filing?: Yes. Greene publishes one of Ohio's most thorough Self-Represented Parties Hubs at greenecountyohio.gov/420/Self-Represented-Parties, including a comprehensive Pro Se Guide that walks through the entire divorce-with-children process step by step.
Does Greene County require a parenting class?: Yes. Parents with minor children must complete Greene's parent-education requirement — the Seminar for Separating Parents — before parenting orders are finalized. Greene accepts the online Co-Parenting/Divorce Class through OnlineParentingPrograms.com ($29.99, about 2 hours). Complete it within 30 days of the order and keep your certificate.
Who hears divorce cases in Greene County?: Judge Cynthia Martin presides over the Greene County Domestic Relations Court, with Magistrates Amanda Holmes, Kimberly Stump Combs, and Mark Donatelli also hearing matters in the division.
When do I file in Greene County Juvenile Court instead of DR?: If you and the other parent were never married, custody, parenting time, and child support are decided by the Greene County Juvenile Court at 2100 Greene Way Blvd., Xenia, OH 45385, (937) 562-4000. If you are married, those issues travel with the divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Court.
How long does a Greene County divorce take?: Ohio's mandatory 42-day waiting period after service applies before any final hearing. Uncontested divorces typically run 4-6 months; contested cases routinely run 8-18 months depending on discovery and the court's calendar. The defendant has 28 days to file an Answer after being served.

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 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.

Call (513) 643-1969 or email support@gavvl.com.