Holmes County Divorce Attorneys

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

Holmes County, Ohio · Millersburg

Divorce is filed with the Holmes County Clerk of Courts and heard by the Domestic Relations Division (Judge Sean Warner; Magistrate Tiffany D. Bird). You must have lived in Ohio at least 6 months before filing. Holmes hosts its own Uniform DR forms, but filing is paper-only — there is no DR e-filing portal.

Hire Gavvl for your Holmes County divorce case

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

File a Complaint for Divorce with the Holmes County Clerk of Courts at 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg. The deposit is $25 (special-project fee) plus $275 (with or without children); service by publication adds $250. You must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months (R.C. 3105.03). Use the verified Holmes County forms below for your situation, plus the New Case Designation Form that must accompany every new filing. Filing is paper-only — in person or by mail — and your case is assigned to the Domestic Relations Division (Judge Sean Warner; Magistrate Tiffany D. Bird). Confirm current deposits with the Clerk at (330) 674-1876.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Holmes County divorce

A Holmes County divorce opens on paper with the Domestic Relations Division (Judge Sean Warner; Magistrate Tiffany D. Bird), a New Case Designation Form on top of every packet, and a $25 special-project fee plus a $275 deposit that grows by $250 when a spouse must be served by publication. Gavvl Law assembles the notarized affidavits and the correct complaint, files in person or by mail with the Clerk at 1 E. Jackson St., and offers a flat fee approved up front — with payment plans — for agreed cases, plus full representation when the case turns contested.

The right complaint, not the broken county link. Holmes County's own “Complaint without Children” download currently points to the wrong file, a known site error that stalls self-filers at the clerk's counter. We file the Supreme Court of Ohio Uniform Complaint that the Domestic Relations Division actually accepts, so your no-children case is not bounced back for a bad form.
Built for the age-3 equal-time default. Unlike most Ohio counties, Holmes presumes equal (50/50) parenting time from age 3 under its Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25). We draft your parenting proposal around that local default instead of the alternating-weekend schedule used elsewhere, so what you file lines up with how the court already thinks about your children.
Paper filing and the case-management calendar handled. There is no DR e-filing portal here, so every pleading is filed on paper and the case then runs on a written scheduling order issued at the case management conference. We deliver the packet to the Clerk, calendar each conference and pretrial deadline, and keep the file moving toward trial or an agreed entry.

Because Holmes divorces are paper-only, small mistakes cost trips to Millersburg. We prepare, notarize, and hand the Clerk (Ronda P. Steimel, (330) 674-1876) a complete filing, confirm the current $25 + $275 deposit before we file, and use the county's own New Case Designation and Request for Service forms so service on your spouse is set up correctly the first time.

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: Holmes County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Divisions

1 E. Jackson Street
Phone: (330) 674-5086
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Holmes County Combined Probate & Juvenile Court
1 East Jackson Street, Suite 201
Phone: (330) 674-5841
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Divorce is the right path if…

You or your spouse has lived in Ohio for at least 6 months.
You and your spouse do not have a complete written agreement (otherwise dissolution may be faster).
You need the court to divide property and debts, or set support and parenting orders.
You may need temporary orders for custody, support, or use of the home while the case is pending.

Already agree on everything? A dissolution avoids filing a Complaint. Compare dissolution

Filing Fees

$25 + $275 deposit (with or without children) · publication adds $250

Forms & Filing Packets

Divorce with minor children — $25 special-project fee + $275 deposit (publication adds $250)

The full packet when you and your spouse have minor children together.

Complaint for Divorce with Children (Holmes County) — Opens a Holmes County divorce when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child support.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (divorce with children) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years (UCCJEA), confirming Ohio's jurisdiction. Required in any case with minor children.
Affidavit of Basic Income and Expenses (divorce with children) — Each party's income, expenses, and basic financial information. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property and Debt (divorce with children) — Lists every asset and debt. Filed with the Complaint.
Health Insurance Affidavit (divorce with children) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Application for Child Support Services (divorce with children) — Opens a IV-D case with the Holmes County CSEA so support can be collected and enforced through wage withholding.
Request for Service (divorce with children) — Tells the Clerk how to serve your spouse with the Complaint (certified mail, sheriff, or other method).
New Case Designation Form (divorce with children) — Required cover sheet that must accompany each new filing in Holmes County.

Divorce without children — $25 special-project fee + $275 deposit (publication adds $250)

The packet when there are no minor children. The county's own “Complaint without Children” link currently points to the wrong file (a known site error), so use the Supreme Court of Ohio Uniform Complaint below and confirm with the Clerk.

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 Property and Debt (divorce without children) — Lists every asset and debt. Filed with the Complaint.
Affidavit of Basic Income and Expenses (divorce without children) — Each party's income, expenses, and basic financial information. Must be notarized.
Request for Service (divorce without children) — Tells the Clerk how to serve your spouse with the Complaint.
New Case Designation Form (divorce without children) — Required cover sheet that must accompany each new filing in Holmes County.

Temporary orders (with children) — Filed with your Complaint — no separate deposit

Motion and Affidavit for Temporary Order Without Oral Hearing (with children) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child or spousal support while the case is pending, decided on the affidavits without a hearing.

Temporary orders (without children) — Filed with your Complaint — no separate deposit

Motion and Affidavit for Temporary Order Without Oral Hearing (no children) — Asks the court for temporary spousal support or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending, decided on the affidavits without a hearing.

How to File Divorce in Holmes County

Confirm residency. Make sure you or your spouse has lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03); venue is your county of residence.
Assemble your packet. Download the Holmes County forms for your situation (with or without children), plus the New Case Designation Form. Notarize the affidavits.
File and pay with the Clerk. File in person or by mail with the Holmes County Clerk of Courts and pay the $25 + $275 deposit ($250 more if you serve by publication).
Serve your spouse. Use the Request for Service to tell the Clerk how to serve the Complaint, then attend the case management conference and any temporary-order hearing.

Holmes County Practice Notes

Paper filing only. Holmes County has no general civil/DR e-filing portal. File your packet in person or by mail with the Clerk of Courts at 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg. You can pay Common Pleas costs online at the LexisNexis portal.
Case management conference comes first. After filing and service, both parties (and counsel) attend a case management conference where a written scheduling order issues under Local Rule 25. Temporary orders, discovery, and an optional final pretrial follow before trial or an agreed entry.
Equal parenting time starts at age 3. Holmes County's Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25) presumes equal (50/50) parenting time beginning at age 3 unless clearly defined special circumstances apply — different from the alternating-weekend default common elsewhere in Ohio.
No mandatory parenting class. The General & DR local rules do not establish a countywide mandatory parent-education seminar. In a contested case the court may appoint a parenting coordinator (Local Rule 26) or a guardian ad litem (Sup.R. 48). Confirm whether a class is ordered in your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Holmes County?: The deposit is $25 (special-project fee) plus $275, with or without children. Service by publication adds $250. These are advance court costs, not the total cost of a case. A party who cannot afford the deposit may ask to file on an affidavit of indigency. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (330) 674-1876 before filing.
What is the residency requirement for divorce in Holmes County?: You or your spouse must have been a resident of Ohio for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), and the case is filed in your county of residence (Civ.R. 3/75). There is no separate county-length residency rule. Legal separation does not carry the same 6-month requirement, which can make it an option for newer Ohio residents.
What happens after I file for divorce in Holmes County?: After filing and service, both parties and counsel attend a case management conference where a written scheduling order issues (Local Rule 25). Temporary orders can be requested, followed by discovery and financial affidavits, an optional final pretrial (joint statement due 7 business days ahead), and then trial or an agreed entry. Children's issues are decided under the R.C. 3109.04 best-interest factors.
How does parenting time work in Holmes County?: Holmes County uses an age-tiered Standard Parenting Order (Local Rule 25) that presumes equal (50/50) parenting time beginning at age 3 unless there are clearly defined special circumstances, with graduated schedules for younger children, a teen rule (at least 10 waking hours per week with each parent), and a separate Long-Distance order. This is different from the alternating-every-other-weekend 'standard order' common elsewhere in Ohio.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Holmes County?: The Common Pleas General & Domestic Relations local rules do not establish a countywide mandatory parent-education seminar. In a contested case the court may appoint a parenting coordinator (Local Rule 26) or a guardian ad litem (Sup.R. 48). Confirm with the court whether a class is ordered in your specific case.
Can I file family-law cases online in Holmes County?: No. Holmes County has no general civil or Domestic Relations e-filing portal — General/DR cases are filed on paper, in person or by mail, with the Clerk of Courts at 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg. You can pay Common Pleas court costs online through the LexisNexis payment portal, and view the docket through eServices.

Free Local Resources in Holmes County

Holmes County Clerk of Courts. Files all General & Domestic Relations cases and processes filings; Clerk Ronda P. Steimel, 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg, (330) 674-1876. Filing is paper-only (in person or by mail). Pay Common Pleas costs online at payments.lexisnexis.com/oh/co/holmes/clerkofcourts; view the docket at courts.co.holmes.oh.us/eservices.
Holmes County Domestic Relations Division. Judge Sean Warner; Magistrate Tiffany D. Bird. Publishes the county's Uniform DR forms at holmescourtofcommonpleas.org/domestic-relations and /domestic-relations-templates. Court phone (330) 674-5086.
Holmes County Combined Probate & Juvenile Court. Judge Thomas C. Lee. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, non-parent custody, and adoption, at 1 East Jackson St., Suite 201, Millersburg. Juvenile (330) 674-5841; Probate (330) 674-5881. Fillable packets at co.holmes.oh.us/document-library/juvenile-court.
Holmes County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Housed at Holmes County Job & Family Services, 85 N. Grant St., Millersburg, (330) 674-1111. Opens IV-D support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Website holmescountydjfs.com.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. The official 2024 Income Shares calculator at ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov. Run it, print the worksheet, and sign it — the court requires it any time support is set or changed.

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 Holmes County family law

Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina metro.
Holmes County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Holmes County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

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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