Filing for Divorce with Children in Medina County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · 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. Electronic filing is governed by Local Rule 10, and local forms are posted at medinadr.org/forms.html. One local quirk: Medina hears divorce, dissolution, and parentage in this Domestic Relations Court, but a custody or companionship action brought after parentage is established — and non-parent custody — is heard in the separate Medina County 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: Court website
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
- Electronic filing in the Domestic Relations Division is governed by Local Rule 10; confirm current e-filing eligibility with the Clerk's Legal Division at (330) 725-9722.
- 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) (Register / learn more)
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 splits family-law work between two courts. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and parentage/paternity are filed in the Domestic Relations Court at 225 East Washington Street; for unmarried parents, the first custody and support order can ride along with a Complaint for Parentage there (deposit $200). After parentage is established, a custody, parenting-time, or companionship action may instead be filed in the separate Medina County Juvenile Court under Medina Juvenile Local Rule 3 (new-case deposit $180), where non-parent (grandparent or relative) custody is also heard. Married couples file divorce or dissolution in the Domestic Relations Court.
Free Local Resources in Medina County
- Medina County DR Court Forms Page. medinadr.org/forms.html — current local forms and local rules; Local Rule 10 governs electronic filing. 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.
Required divorce-with-children packet (8 forms)
- Complaint for Divorce with Children — The main document that starts your case. Ohio Supreme Court Form 7.
- Affidavit of Income & Expenses — Your income and monthly bills. UDRF Affidavit 1.
- Affidavit of Property & Debt — What you own and owe. UDRF Affidavit 2.
- Parenting Proceeding Affidavit — The children's past 5-year address history. UDRF Affidavit 3.
- Health Insurance Affidavit — Who provides insurance and the cost. UDRF Affidavit 4.
- Motion & Affidavit for Temporary Orders — Requests temporary parenting, support, etc. while pending. UDRF Affidavit 5.
- Child Support Worksheet — Ohio Child Support Guidelines Calculator — run the numbers, print the worksheet, and file it with your paperwork.
- Judgment Entry — Decree of Divorce With Children — Court's final order. Submitted at the final hearing. UDRF Form 15.
Temporary orders while your case is pending
Under Civ.R. 75, either spouse can request temporary parenting time, child support, and spousal support while the divorce is pending using the Ohio uniform Affidavit 5 motion. A temporary child-support request should include a proposed child-support worksheet. File the motion with the Medina County Domestic Relations Court at 225 East Washington Street.
- Motion & Affidavit for Temporary Orders — Requests temporary parenting, support, etc. while pending. UDRF Affidavit 5.
Related guides
In-depth, attorney-written guides on divorce, custody, 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.
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.
