Marion County Protection Order Attorneys

Hire Gavvl for your Marion County protection orders case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Marion 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.

A Marion County protection order, with counsel at your side

A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31 shields you from a family or household member who has harmed or threatened you, and Marion County charges no filing fee to petition. The ex parte petition is heard by a Magistrate the same or next court day, with a full hearing to follow and a final order that can last up to five years. Gavvl Law prepares your petition and stands with you at both hearings, with full representation so you are not facing this alone.

• A petition that shows the danger. Ex parte relief and the final order both turn on specific, recent incidents. We help you set out the facts clearly on Ohio's statewide protection-order petition (Form 10.01-D) so the Magistrate, and then the judge, understand exactly why you need protection.
• Both hearings, prepared and represented. The Magistrate can issue an immediate temporary order the same or next court day, but the protection you keep is decided at the full hearing. We prepare your evidence for that hearing and represent you there, because the respondent may appear with a lawyer of their own.
• No forced mediation with an abuser. Marion F.C. Rule 19 prohibits using mediation as a substitute for a protection-order proceeding, and the court screens for domestic violence before any alternative-dispute referral. We hold the court to that and keep the process focused on your safety.

A DVCPO is a civil remedy separate from any criminal charge, and it can carry temporary parenting and support terms while longer-term custody is decided in a separate DR or Juvenile case. Because there is no filing fee under R.C. 3113.31, cost should never keep you from filing — and we keep the divorce affidavits (Forms A through D) out of it, since the protection-order forms are entirely separate.

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

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. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your protection orders case or see payment plans & financing.

Where to File: Marion County Court of Common Pleas, Family Division

A protection order fits if…

• You have been harmed or threatened by a current or former spouse, household or family member, or co-parent.
• You are in or recently in a dating relationship and need a dating-violence civil protection order.
• You need an order to stay away, no contact, and possibly to have the respondent leave a shared home.
• You need immediate, same- or next-day emergency relief.
• You want a civil remedy that is separate from any criminal case.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for a DVCPO (R.C. 3113.31) · costs may be assessed against the respondent if an order is granted

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Marion County

1. Prepare your petition. Use the statewide DV/CPO forms and describe the specific, recent abuse or threats.
2. File at the Family Division. File the petition at 222 W. Center St. — there is no filing fee under R.C. 3113.31.
3. Attend the ex parte hearing. A Magistrate reviews the petition the same or next court day and can issue an immediate temporary order.
4. Have the respondent served. Law enforcement serves the order on the respondent.
5. Attend the full hearing. Present your evidence at the full hearing (generally within 7–10 court days); a final order can last up to 5 years.

Marion County Practice Notes

• Ex parte petitions go to a Magistrate. In Marion County the ex parte DVCPO petition is heard by a Magistrate for immediate review under Rule 6 (or the assigned Judge if the Magistrate is unavailable). Be ready to testify to specific, recent incidents.
• Mediation is prohibited for protection orders. Marion F.C. Rule 19 prohibits using mediation as a substitute for prosecuting domestic violence or for a protection-order proceeding; the court screens for domestic violence before any ADR referral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to file for a protection order in Marion County?

No. There is no filing fee to petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31. Costs may be assessed against the respondent if an order is granted.

How fast can I get a protection order in Marion County?

The court can issue an ex parte (emergency) order the same or next court day. In Marion County the ex parte protection-order petition is heard by a Magistrate within the R.C. 3113.31(D) time limits (Local Rule 6). A full hearing follows — typically within 7–10 court days of the ex parte order.

How long does a final protection order last in Marion County?

After a full hearing, a final DVCPO can last up to 5 years, and it can be renewed before it expires. A DVCPO can include temporary parenting and support terms, but long-term custody and support are decided in a separate DR or Juvenile case.

Will I be sent to mediation with my abuser in Marion County?

No. Marion F.C. Rule 19 prohibits using mediation as a substitute for prosecuting domestic violence or for a protection-order proceeding, and the court screens for domestic violence before any alternative-dispute-resolution referral.

Free Local Resources in Marion County

• Marion County Family Division — Court Forms. The Family Division of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, and protection-order matters at 222 W. Center St., Marion, OH 43302. Download the county lettered forms (Form A–N) and confirm current deposits before filing. Court (740) 223-4060; Clerk (740) 223-4070. Forms: https://www.co.marion.oh.us/elected_offices/common_pleas_court_family_division/family_court_forms/juvenile_domestic_forms.php
• Marion County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). A division of Marion County Job & Family Services at 363 W. Fairground St., Marion, OH 43302. The CSEA establishes paternity and establishes, enforces, and collects child support; it cannot grant or change custody or parenting time. Call (740) 387-6688 or (800) 960-5437. Review & Adjust and other support help: https://mcjfs.com/child-support/
• Divorcing/Separated Parent Education Program (Rule 12). Each parent in a case involving children completes a court-approved online parenting course within 60 days of the Form I notice and files the Certificate of Completion with the Family Court Clerk. Approved providers listed on Form I charge $38.00–$61.95, paid directly to the provider (not a court fee).
• Ohio Child Support Guideline Calculator. The official statewide calculator that applies Ohio's 2024 Income Shares Model. Run it, print the worksheet, and file it any time the court sets or changes support: https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/

Other Family-Law Topics in Marion County

• Statewide Divorce Overview — How divorce works across Ohio at a high level.
• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Marion County family law attorney for help with your case.

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.

Keep exploring Marion County family law

• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
• Marion County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Marion 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.