Hardin County Divorce Attorneys

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

Hardin County, Ohio · Kenton

A Hardin County divorce is heard by the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (Judge Maria Santo), One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, and filed through the Clerk of Courts (Suite 310). The cost deposit is $500 (GD Rule 3). The same division handles every family-law matter in the county, so your custody, support, and property issues are all decided in one place.

Hire Gavvl for your Hardin County divorce case

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

File a Complaint for Divorce with the Hardin County Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Suite 310, Kenton, for the Domestic Relations Division, using Ohio Supreme Court Form 6 (without children) or Form 7 (with children) with the county Affidavit of Income & Expenses and Affidavit of Property, plus a Case Designation Sheet. With children, add the Parenting Proceeding (UCCJEA) Affidavit, Health Insurance Affidavit, IV-D Application, a parenting plan, and the Ohio child-support worksheet. Pay the $500 deposit (GD Rule 3) or file an Affidavit of Indigency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio at least 6 months (R.C. 3105.03). With children, complete the 'Successful Co-Parenting' class before the final hearing. Hardin accepts e-filing (efile.henschen.com), fax filing (≤10 pages), or in-person/mail filing.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Hardin County divorce

A Hardin County divorce runs through a single Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (Judge Maria Santo) at One Courthouse Square, Suite 210 in Kenton, filed across the hall through the Clerk of Courts in Suite 310 with a $500 cost deposit (GD Rule 3). Gavvl Law assembles the Ohio Supreme Court complaint — Form 6 without children or Form 7 with them — alongside Hardin's own notarized Affidavit of Income & Expenses, Affidavit of Property, and Case Designation Sheet, and offers a flat fee for a clean filing or full representation when property, support, or custody are contested.

The county affidavit packet, notarized and complete. Hardin pairs the statewide complaint with its own fill-in Affidavit of Income & Expenses and Affidavit of Property, both of which must be notarized before the Clerk will open the case. We prepare and swear those exhibits with you so the divorce is docketed on the first trip to Suite 310 rather than kicked back for a missing signature.
One division, every issue decided together. Because the Domestic Relations Division hears property, support, parenting time, and custody in the same case, we build a divorce strategy that resolves all of them at once instead of leaving loose ends. That matters most when you have minor children and the court also expects the UCCJEA affidavit, a parenting plan, and the child-support worksheet in the packet.
Flat fee up front, with a deposit fallback. We quote and approve your fee before we file, and offer payment plans and financing so cost is predictable from day one. If the $500 deposit is out of reach, we file an Affidavit of Indigency (Civ.R. 3(E)) to ask the court to waive prepayment, and can e-file through efile.henschen.com or fax up to ten pages to (419) 674-2273.

Hardin requires only six months of Ohio residency for a divorce (R.C. 3105.03) with no separate county-duration rule, and when children are involved both parents must finish OSU Extension's 'Successful Co-Parenting' class ($30 per participant, register at (419) 674-2297) before the final hearing. We calendar that class the day your case opens so a certificate is never the thing standing between you and your decree.

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.

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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: Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2233
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk)
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (juvenile, parentage & never-married matters)
One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, OH 43326
Phone: (419) 674-2233
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk)

Divorce is the right path if…

You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, property, debt, or support).
Your spouse won't sign paperwork, won't communicate, or can't be located.
You need temporary or final court orders your spouse won't agree to.
You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a dissolution is usually faster, lower-conflict, and carries the lower $350 deposit. Compare dissolution.

Filing Fees

$500 divorce deposit (GD Rule 3) · advance cost deposit, not a flat fee · GAL adds $500 · Affidavit of Indigency waiver available (Civ.R. 3(E)) · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 674-2278

Forms & Filing Packets

Core divorce filing packet (no minor children) — $500 deposit (GD Rule 3)

File the Complaint for Divorce without Children (Form 6) with the county Affidavit of Income & Expenses, the Affidavit of Property, and a Case Designation Sheet, and pay the $500 deposit. The proposed Decree of Divorce without Children is prepared for the final hearing.

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.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Hardin County) — Each party's sworn income, expenses, and basic financial information. Required at filing in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment, and before any temporary-orders hearing. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Hardin County) — Lists every asset and debt so the court can divide marital property. Required at filing and must be notarized.
Case Designation Sheet (Hardin County Clerk of Courts) — The cover sheet the Clerk uses to open and classify your case. File it with your complaint or petition at the Clerk of Courts, Suite 310.
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) — $500 deposit (GD Rule 3)

Use the Complaint for Divorce with Children (Form 7), add the Parenting Proceeding (UCCJEA) and Health Insurance affidavits, the IV-D Application, a parenting plan, and the Ohio child-support worksheet. Complete the 'Successful Co-Parenting' class before the final hearing.

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.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Hardin County) — Each party's sworn income, expenses, and basic financial information. Required at filing in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment, and before any temporary-orders hearing. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Hardin County) — Lists every asset and debt so the court can divide marital property. Required at filing and must be notarized.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Hardin County) — Required in any case involving minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction over custody (R.C. 3127.23).
Health Insurance Affidavit (Hardin County) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support. Required in cases with children.
IV-D Child Support Application (Hardin County) — Opens a child-support case with the Hardin County CSEA so support is collected by automatic wage withholding and enforced. Required whenever a child-support order is set in a case with children.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Case Designation Sheet (Hardin County Clerk of Courts) — The cover sheet the Clerk uses to open and classify your case. File it with your complaint or petition at the Clerk of Courts, Suite 310.
Decree of Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 15) — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children.

Temporary orders add-on

Request temporary support, parenting time, or exclusive use of the home by motion under Civ.R. 75(N) using the county Motion & Entry, with a current Affidavit of Income & Expenses.

Motion & Entry (Hardin County) — The county's blank motion form used to request relief in a pending or post-decree case (for example temporary orders, a contempt show-cause, or a modification).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Hardin County) — Each party's sworn income, expenses, and basic financial information. Required at filing in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment, and before any temporary-orders hearing. Must be notarized.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.

How to File Divorce in Hardin County

Confirm Ohio residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing for divorce (R.C. 3105.03).
Prepare the complaint and affidavits. Use Ohio Supreme Court Form 6 (no children) or Form 7 (with children) with the county Affidavit of Income & Expenses, Affidavit of Property, and a Case Designation Sheet; with children, add the Parenting Proceeding and Health Insurance affidavits, the IV-D Application, a parenting plan, and the support worksheet.
File with the deposit. File through the Hardin County Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Suite 310, Kenton (e-file, fax ≤10 pages, in person, or by mail), and pay the $500 deposit (GD Rule 3) or file an Affidavit of Indigency.
Serve your spouse. Arrange service through the Clerk; your spouse then has 28 days to respond.
Complete the parenting class (with children). Complete OSU Extension's 'Successful Co-Parenting' class ($30 per participant) before the final hearing and file the certificate (GD Rule 21).
Pretrial and decree. The court holds pretrial or status conferences and, if the case does not settle, a contested hearing; the case ends with a Decree of Divorce.

Hardin County Practice Notes

One Domestic Relations Division hears it all. Hardin County has a single Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (Judge Maria Santo; division created 1/1/2023 under R.C. 2301.03(FF)(1)) at One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, (419) 674-2233. The same division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment AND parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection orders — there is no separate juvenile court. Only adoptions and guardianships go to the separate Probate Court (Judge Steve Christopher).
Domestic Relations deposits (GD Rule 3). GD Rule 3 sets the Domestic Relations cost deposits: divorce and legal separation $500; dissolution $350; other DR matters $350; a GAL appointment adds a $500 deposit; a post-decree DR motion is $350 ($200 if the change to parental rights is agreed); other civil post-judgment matters are $250. These are advance cost deposits, not flat fees. An Affidavit of Indigency (Civ.R. 3(E)) can waive prepayment. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 674-2278.
Mandatory parenting education (Successful Co-Parenting). In cases involving the allocation of parental rights, both parents must complete OSU Extension's court-approved 'Successful Co-Parenting' class — $30 per participant — before the final hearing (GD Rule 21 / Juv Rule 37). Register through OSU Extension at (419) 674-2297 and file the certificate of completion. Confirm the current cost and schedule with the provider.
File through the Clerk of Courts (Suite 310). Petitions and motions are filed through the Hardin County Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Suite 310, Kenton, (419) 674-2278, https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/ (local forms under /CLSite/pdf/). Hardin accepts e-filing through the Henschen portal (efile.henschen.com) and fax filing at (419) 674-2273 for documents of 10 pages or fewer.
Six-month Ohio residency; 90-day county rule for dissolution with children. To file for divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months (R.C. 3105.03). Hardin County's GD Rule 16 adds a 90-day Hardin County residency requirement for a dissolution that involves minor children; a divorce has no separate county-duration rule beyond the six-month Ohio requirement.
Fee waiver if you can't afford the deposit. File an Affidavit of Indigency (poverty affidavit) under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E) asking the court to waive prepayment of the cost deposit. Legal Aid of Western Ohio, (888) 534-1432, can help income-eligible filers. Confirm the current indigency form with the Clerk of Courts at (419) 674-2278.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to file for divorce in Hardin County?: The Domestic Relations deposit for a divorce or legal separation is $500 (GD Rule 3). This is an advance cost deposit, not a flat fee, and a GAL appointment adds a $500 deposit. An Affidavit of Indigency (Civ.R. 3(E)) can ask the court to waive prepayment. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk of Courts at (419) 674-2278 before filing.
Which court handles divorce, custody, and support in Hardin County?: One court hears all of it: the Court of Common Pleas, Hardin County, Domestic Relations Division, One Courthouse Square, Suite 210, Kenton, (419) 674-2233 (Judge Maria Santo). The same Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment for married spouses AND parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection orders — there is no separate juvenile court in Hardin County. Only adoptions and guardianships go to the separate Probate Court (Judge Steve Christopher). Petitions are filed through the Clerk of Courts, Suite 310, (419) 674-2278.
Can I e-file or fax my documents in Hardin County?: Yes. Hardin County accepts electronic filing through the Henschen e-file portal (efile.henschen.com), and fax filing is accepted at (419) 674-2273 for documents of 10 pages or fewer. You can also file in person or by mail through the Clerk of Courts, One Courthouse Square, Suite 310, Kenton. Local forms are posted at hardincourts.com/CLSite/.
What is the residency requirement to file for divorce in Hardin County?: You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing for divorce (R.C. 3105.03). For a dissolution that involves minor children, Hardin County's GD Rule 16 adds a 90-day Hardin County residency requirement. A divorce without children has no separate county-duration rule beyond the statewide six-month Ohio requirement.
Is a parenting class required in a Hardin County case with children?: Yes. In cases involving the allocation of parental rights, both parents must complete the court-approved parenting-education program — OSU Extension's 'Successful Co-Parenting', $30 per participant — before the final hearing (GD Rule 21 / Juv Rule 37). Register through OSU Extension at (419) 674-2297 and file the certificate of completion with the court. Confirm the current cost and schedule with the provider before you register.
What if I cannot afford the filing deposit in Hardin County?: File an Affidavit of Indigency (poverty affidavit) under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E) asking the court to waive prepayment of the cost deposit. Legal Aid of Western Ohio, (888) 534-1432, can help income-eligible filers, and the Clerk of Courts, (419) 674-2278, can point you to the current indigency form. Confirm requirements with the Clerk before filing.

Free Local Resources in Hardin County

Hardin County Clerk of Courts (record custodian). One Courthouse Square, Suite 310 (3rd floor), Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2278 (fax (419) 674-2273). The Clerk is the record custodian for Common Pleas filings, posts local forms at https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/forms.php, and confirms current deposits and copy counts. E-filing is available through https://efile.henschen.com/; fax filings to (419) 674-2273 must be 10 pages or fewer with a compliant cover page. Court costs can be paid online at https://www.hardincourts.com/CLSite/payment.php.
Hardin County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division. One Courthouse Square, Suite 210 (2nd floor), Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2233 (https://hardincountyjuvenilecourt.com/). Created January 1, 2023 (R.C. 2301.03(FF)(1)) and led by Judge Maria Santo, this single Domestic Relations Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment AND juvenile, parentage, never-married custody, and civil protection-order cases — there is no separate Juvenile Court in Hardin County.
Hardin County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 175 W. Franklin St., Suite 200, Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2269. The county IV-D agency establishes, modifies, collects, and enforces child support. Open a IV-D case to set up automatic wage withholding and enforcement.
Hardin County Job & Family Services — Children Services Agency. (419) 675-1130 (after hours (419) 673-1268; or (800) 442-7346). The county children-services agency investigates child abuse, neglect, and dependency. For an emergency call 911; the statewide child-abuse hotline is 855-642-4453 (855-OH-CHILD).
Successful Co-Parenting (parenting-education class). Hardin County's required parenting/co-parenting education is provided through OSU Extension's "Successful Co-Parenting" program — $30 per participant, offered in person and/or online. Registration is required; call (419) 674-2297 for current Hardin County dates before relying on it for a specific case.
Hardin County Probate Court (adoption & guardianship). One Courthouse Square, Suite 200, Kenton, OH 43326; (419) 674-2230. The separate Probate Court — not the Domestic Relations Division — handles stepparent and kinship adoptions ($200, plus $100 for publication if required) and guardianships; the Probate Court requires that you have an attorney for an adoption. It does not handle divorce or custody.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio. (888) 534-1432. Free civil legal help for income-eligible Hardin County residents, including some family-law matters. The Ohio Supreme Court also posts statewide self-help forms for self-represented litigants.

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.

Keep exploring Hardin County family law

Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Hardin County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Hardin County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
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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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