Filing for Divorce with Children in Medina County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated May 27, 2026
File for divorce with minor children in the Medina County Domestic Relations Court. Step-by-step guidance, 8 required forms, $400 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.
Medina County divorces are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division at 225 East Washington Street in Medina, with the Hon. Julie A. Schafer as Administrative Judge. Filing deposits (effective 1/1/2024) are $400 with minor children or $350 without, and any case with children requires the court's FOCUS parenting class through Family Court Resources within 45 days of service. Medina accepts email filing at mccc-drefiling@medinacounty.gov, and local forms are posted at medinadr.org/forms.html. Note one local quirk: under R.C. 2301.03(U), Medina decides all custody and parentage cases — even for never-married parents — in this Domestic Relations Court rather than Juvenile Court.
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) |
Medina County Domestic Relations Court
225 East Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256Phone: (330) 725-9740
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: medinadr.org
225 East Washington Street, Medina. DR Court: (330) 725-9740 • Clerk of Courts: (330) 725-9722 • Docket: (330) 764-8298 • CSEA: (330) 722-9398
Filing Fees
$400 divorce with children • $350 without children (effective 1/1/2024)
Medina County Procedure Quirks
- Email filing is accepted at mccc-drefiling@medinacounty.gov — put the case number in the subject line.
- Current local forms are posted on the court's Forms page at medinadr.org/forms.html.
- A Poverty Affidavit is available if you cannot afford the deposit; ask the Clerk about a payment plan.
Parenting Class
FOCUS Parenting Program — Medina County Family Court Resources (234-802-0944) (https://medinadr.org/)
Required in any case with minor children, completed within 45 days after service (within 45 days of filing for a dissolution) and before the final hearing. Prepaid through the filing deposit. Children ages 6–17 also attend the separate "What About Me?" seminar ($15 per child) unless the court excuses them.
Judges
- Judge Julie A. Schafer (Administrative Judge)
Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile
Medina County is one of the Ohio counties where R.C. 2301.03(U) routes all child-custody and parentage cases to the Domestic Relations Court at 225 East Washington Street — even for never-married parents. Married couples file divorce or dissolution here, and never-married parents file parentage and custody in the same Domestic Relations Court, not Juvenile Court.
Free Local Resources in Medina County
- Medina County DR Court Forms Page. medinadr.org/forms.html — current local forms, local rules, and email-filing instructions. Court staff cannot give legal advice or help complete forms.
- Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — the state's official 2024 Income Shares worksheet. Run, print, and sign it before any hearing that sets or changes support.
- FOCUS — Family Court Resources. The court's parenting program for parents of minor children, prepaid through the filing deposit and coordinated by Family Court Resources at 234-802-0944.
- Community Legal Aid Services. Free civil legal help for income-eligible Medina County residents. Intake line 1-800-998-9454.
Related to your divorce
- 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.
Call (216) 868-8005 or email support@gavvl.com.
