Highland County Family Law Services
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Gavvl Law helps Highland County, Ohio families with divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and more. Find the right Highland County court, filing fees, and parenting resources below, or book a $25 first consultation to talk through your options with a local-focused attorney.
How we can help in Highland County
Parents & Children
- Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Post-decree motions: $200
Best for: You need a court order setting who the children live with and how parenting time and decision-making are divided.
View guide
Highland County family-law courts
Domestic Relations Court
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and spousal support for married spouses
Highland County Court of Common Pleas
105 N High St, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (937) 393-2422
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Court divisions, filing fees, and local requirements can change. Confirm the correct court, current fees, and required forms with the Highland County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Why Highland County is different
Two courthouses for family law
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and DVCPO matters are heard by the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Divisions (105 N. High Street, Hillsboro). Juvenile custody/paternity and adoptions are handled by the separate Highland County Probate/Juvenile Court. (Highland County Courts skill (SKILL.md / court-info.md))
Parenting class within 45 days
If your case involves minor children, both parents must complete the 'Together We Can' Co-Parenting/Divorce Education Class ($30 per person) within 45 days of filing and before a final hearing. It is run by Highland County JFS, Family Advocacy Center, (937) 393-4642 (Local Rule 21.1). (Highland County parenting-education.md (Local Rule 21.1))
Adoptions carry an added home-study fee
Probate adoption filing fees are $400 for a stepparent adoption and $650 for a relative/kinship adoption, and an assessor (home-study) fee must be paid at the time of filing in addition to the filing fee. Confirm the assessor-fee amount with the Probate Court. (Highland County fees.md (Probate Division fees))
Court filing fees in Highland County
Domestic Relations Court
- Divorce or legal separation — no children: $350
- Divorce or legal separation — with children: $450
- Dissolution — no children: $300
- Dissolution — with children: $400
- Post-decree motion: $200
- DV civil protection order: No filing fee — No filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31).
Juvenile Court
- Juvenile custody / paternity / visitation deposit: $100 — Service fees are added to each filing.
- Juvenile support deposit: $50
Probate Court
- Stepparent adoption: $400 — An assessor (home-study) fee must be paid at filing in addition to the filing fee.
- Non-stepparent (relative/kinship) adoption: $650 — An assessor (home-study) fee must be paid at filing in addition to the filing fee.
These are court deposits and can change. Confirm current amounts with the Highland County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Parent education in Highland County
- Together We Can Co-Parenting / Divorce Education Class — $30 per person · Required
Required in any case with minor children (Local Rule 21.1); both parents must complete it within 45 days of filing and before a final hearing. Run by the Highland County Dept. of Job & Family Services, Family Advocacy Center, 1575 N. High Street, Suite 100, Hillsboro, (937) 393-4642.
Class details
Free local resources in Highland County
- Highland County Clerk of Courts — Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call the Clerk of Courts at (937) 393-9957 or visit https://www.hccpc.org before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
- Highland County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) — Highland County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gavvl Law serve Highland County, Ohio?
Yes. Gavvl Law represents families across all 88 Ohio counties, including Highland County and Hillsboro. We handle divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law matters for Highland County residents.
Which Highland County court handles my family law case?
Most Highland County family law cases are heard at Highland County Court of Common Pleas. The right division depends on your case type — for example, custody and support for unmarried parents is often handled in a separate juvenile division from divorce. Confirm where to file and any local requirements with the Highland County Clerk of Courts before you start.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Highland County?
Court filing fees in Highland County are deposits that vary by case type — for example, the deposit for Divorce or legal separation — no children is about $350. These deposits can change and do not include attorney fees. Confirm the current schedule with the Highland County Clerk of Courts, and ask Gavvl Law about flat fees and payment plans for representation.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Highland County?
Yes. Highland County requires parents in divorce, dissolution, and most custody cases to complete a parenting class — Together We Can Co-Parenting / Divorce Education Class ($30 per person). Required in any case with minor children (Local Rule 21.1); both parents must complete it within 45 days of filing and before a final hearing. Run by the Highland County Dept. of Job & Family Services, Family Advocacy Center, 1575 N. High Street, Suite 100, Hillsboro, (937) 393-4642.
Can I file Highland County family law forms online?
It depends on the court. Some Ohio courts accept e-filing while others require paper filing in person or by mail. Check the Highland County Clerk of Courts website for the current options before you prepare your documents.
How long does a divorce or dissolution take in Highland County?
It depends on the path. An Ohio dissolution — used when both spouses agree on every issue — is generally finalized within about 30 to 90 days of filing, because the law sets the final hearing in that window. A contested divorce takes longer, often several months to more than a year, depending on the issues and the court's schedule. Highland County's docket affects timing, so ask about current wait times at your consultation.
What family law services does Gavvl Law offer in Highland County?
Gavvl Law offers divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, shared parenting, child support, paternity, post-decree modifications, and more for Highland County families. Choose a service below to see the local process and forms.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
