Mercer County Divorce Attorneys

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

Mercer County, Ohio · Celina · General Division

A divorce legally ends a marriage when you and your spouse can't agree on every term — the judge decides what's disputed. In Mercer County you file in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas (Judge Matthew K. Fox) through the Clerk of Courts in Room 205 of the courthouse at 101 North Main Street, Celina.

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Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Mercer County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

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How do I file for divorce in Mercer County, Ohio?

File the Ohio Supreme Court Complaint for Divorce (Form 6 without children or Form 7 with children) with Affidavits 1–2 (and 3–4 plus a child-support worksheet if you have minor children), together with Mercer's local SO 1 restraint order — and the DR 7 A-OK notice and DR 10 IV-D application when children are involved — with the Clerk of Courts in the General Division, Room 205, Celina. Pay the $350 deposit or file a fee waiver (CM 31, Loc.R. 2.05). The Clerk serves your spouse; either party can request temporary orders under Civ.R. 75 (Loc.R. 15.04); parents of minors complete the $30 A-OK Parenting Program before the final hearing; and the court issues a Decree resolving property, debts, support, and parenting.

Hire Gavvl Law for your Mercer County divorce

A Mercer County divorce runs through the General Division before Judge Matthew K. Fox, and every filing pairs the statewide Form 6 or Form 7 complaint with local pieces the Clerk in Room 205 expects — the SO 1 restraint order, the Personal Identifier Sheet, and, with children, the SO 2 schedule and the DR 7 A-OK notice. Gavvl Law assembles the full $350 packet, tracks the court's scheduling order, and quotes one flat fee approved up front with payment plans available, or full representation if your case is contested.

Local forms that trip up self-filers. Mercer blends the Ohio Uniform Domestic Relations Forms with its own SO 1 restraint order, SO 2 parenting schedule, and Personal Identifier Sheet, and filers who bring only the state packet get sent back. We file the combined set the Clerk in Room 205 is set up to accept so your case number issues the first time.
A-OK class scheduled before it stalls your decree. Parents of minor children must finish the $30 A-OK Parenting Program in Room 303 before the final hearing, and it only meets the 4th Tuesday of alternating months. We calendar your class the moment you file so a missed session never pushes back your decree.
Deposit paid the way the Clerk accepts it. The Clerk takes cash, money order, cashier's check, or LexisNexis online — never personal checks — and the $350 deposit is due at filing. We handle the deposit correctly and offer our own flat fee with payment plans, so cost is predictable from day one.

If your spouse can't be found, Mercer allows service by publication or posting under Civ.R. 4.4 — for an in-forma-pauperis divorce, posting runs six weeks at the courthouse, the Sheriff's Office, and the Celina Police Department — and if the $350 deposit is out of reach you can file a CM 31 fee waiver under Loc.R. 2.05. We use those local fallbacks so a missing spouse or a tight budget doesn't stop your case.

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.

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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: Mercer County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Clerk of Courts, Legal Division)

101 N Main St, Room 205, PO Box 28, Celina, OH 45822
Phone: (419) 586-6461
Hours: Monday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Mercer County Court of Common Pleas — Probate/Juvenile Division
101 N Main St, Suite 307, Celina, OH 45822
Phone: (419) 586-1249
Hours: Monday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM

Divorce is the right path if…

Divorce is the right path in Mercer County if…

You are married and want to end the marriage, but you and your spouse don't agree on every term (property, debts, support, or parenting).
You need the court to decide disputed issues rather than waiting for full agreement.
At least one spouse meets Ohio's residency rule (an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing, R.C. 3105.03) and Mercer County venue (Civ.R. 3).
You may need temporary orders for support, custody, or use of the home while the case is pending (Civ.R. 75; Loc.R. 15.04).
Your spouse won't participate or can't be located and you may need service by publication or posting (Civ.R. 4.4).

Already agree on everything? A dissolution is usually faster and cheaper. Compare dissolution

Filing Fees

$350 deposit (with or without children) · +$1,000 deposit only if a jury is demanded · A-OK Parenting Program $30/person (parents of minors) · fee waiver under Loc.R. 2.05 (CM 31). Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at 419-586-6461.

Forms & Filing Packets

Divorce without minor children — $350 deposit (Clerk fee schedule, eff. 4/1/2024)

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 Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Domestic Relations Restraint Order (Mercer SO 1) — Mercer County's mutual restraining order, filed with the divorce, legal-separation, or annulment complaint to preserve the status quo — restraining both spouses regarding marital assets, debts, insurance, and the children for the duration of the case.
Personal Identifier Sheet (Mercer County) — Collects Social Security numbers and other protected personal identifiers separately from the public file, as required by the Rules of Superintendence. File it with your DR packet.
Decree of Divorce Without Children (Ohio SC Form 14) — Proposed final order ending the marriage. Prepare in advance; the Judge signs it at the final hearing.

Divorce with minor children — $350 deposit (same with or without children)

Complaint for Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 7) — The divorce Complaint used when you and your spouse have minor children together. Pleads custody, parenting time, and child-support allegations.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Domestic Relations Restraint Order (Mercer SO 1) — Mercer County's mutual restraining order, filed with the divorce, legal-separation, or annulment complaint to preserve the status quo — restraining both spouses regarding marital assets, debts, insurance, and the children for the duration of the case.
Standard Parenting Time Allocation (Mercer SO 2) — The General Division's default parenting-time schedule (revised November 2025): alternating weekends Friday 7 p.m.–Sunday 7 p.m., one weekday evening (5:30–8:30 p.m.), alternating holidays, Mother's/Father's Day and birthdays with the respective parent, and five weeks of uninterrupted summer time each. It applies unless the parents agree otherwise or the court orders a different schedule.
Notice to Attend the A-OK Parenting Program (Mercer DR 7) — Parents of minor children in a Mercer County divorce or dissolution must complete the A-OK Parenting Program ($30/person) before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). The class runs the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 303 of the courthouse; you are registered automatically when you file and the court mails your assigned date. Tip: If you can't attend your assigned date, call 419-586-2122 to reschedule — late arrivals are not admitted.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services (Mercer DR 10) — Opens a child-support case with the Mercer County CSEA so support can be collected by wage withholding, distributed, and enforced. Required whenever the court sets or changes child support.
Decree of Divorce With Children (Ohio SC Form 15) — Proposed final order for a divorce with minor children.

Temporary orders while the case is pending

Motion for Temporary Orders (Civ. R. 75(N)) — Asks the court for temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or exclusive use of the home while the case is pending. Tip: Attach a current Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) and Affidavit 2 (Property).
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.

How to File Divorce in Mercer County

Confirm residency and complete your forms. Confirm Ohio residency (6 months, R.C. 3105.03) and Mercer County venue. Complete the Ohio Supreme Court divorce forms (Form 6 or 7) with Affidavits 1–2 (add 3–4 and a child-support worksheet for minor children) plus Mercer's SO 1 restraint order and the Personal Identifier Sheet.
File and pay (or waive). File with the Clerk of Courts in Room 205, 101 North Main Street, Celina, and pay the $350 deposit (cash, money order, cashier's check, or online via LexisNexis — no personal checks). File a CM 31 fee waiver under Loc.R. 2.05 if you can't afford it.
Serve your spouse. The Clerk serves the defendant, usually by certified mail. If your spouse can't be located, the court allows service by publication or posting (Civ.R. 4.4); for an in-forma-pauperis divorce, posting runs six weeks at the courthouse, sheriff's office, and Celina Police Department.
Request temporary orders and complete A-OK. Either party may ask for temporary custody, parenting time, support, or use of the home (Civ.R. 75; Loc.R. 15.04). Parents of minor children must complete the $30 A-OK Parenting Program before the final hearing (Loc.R. 21.02).
Scheduling conference, hearing, and decree. The General Division case-manages DR cases — after the responsive pleadings it holds a scheduling conference and issues a scheduling order (Loc.R. 16–17). The court then signs a Decree resolving property, debts, support, and parental rights.

Mercer County Practice Notes

Two courts, two judges named Matthew. Mercer County splits family law between two courts in the same building. The Court of Common Pleas General Division (Judge Matthew K. Fox, Room 301) hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, DR post-decree motions, and DVCPOs; cases are filed with the Clerk of Courts (Room 205). The combined Probate/Juvenile Division (Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Suite 307) hears never-married parentage, custody, parenting time, and support. The same magistrate, Richard M. Delzeith, serves both courts.
Mercer uses statewide AND local forms. Mercer County divorce and dissolution filings combine the statewide Uniform Domestic Relations Forms with local DR and SO forms — most notably the SO 1 restraint order and SO 2 parenting-time schedule. Filers who bring only a state packet are often surprised by the local forms, so use the Mercer bskpdf form library together with the Supreme Court forms.
A-OK Parenting Program is required (divorce/dissolution). Parents of minor children in a divorce or dissolution must complete the A-OK Parenting Program ($30/person) before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). It runs the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 303. You are registered automatically at filing and the court mails your date. The requirement comes from the DR local rules, so unmarried-parent custody cases in Juvenile Court are generally not ordered into A-OK.
Fee waiver: poverty affidavit (Loc.R. 2.05 / CM 31). If you cannot afford the General Division deposit, file an affidavit of inability to prepay or give security for costs (R.C. 2323.31; Loc.R. 2.05). Form CM 31 — Request for Waiver of Fees — is available from the Clerk.
Use Ohio's custody terms. Ohio allocates parental rights as sole custody (one residential parent and legal custodian) or shared parenting (both parents are residential parents and legal custodians under a court-approved plan, R.C. 3109.04(G)). Ohio does not use 'primary custody' or 'joint custody,' and shared parenting is about decision-making, not a 50/50 time split.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file for divorce in Mercer County?: With the Clerk of Courts in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, Room 205 of the Mercer County Courthouse, 101 North Main Street, Celina, OH 45822, 419-586-6461. There is no separate Domestic Relations court — Judge Matthew K. Fox hears divorce in the General Division (Room 301, 419-586-2122).
How much is the divorce filing fee in Mercer County?: The deposit is $350 for a divorce, with or without children (Clerk of Courts fee schedule, effective April 1, 2024). Add a $1,000 deposit only if a jury is demanded. Deposits can change — confirm the current figure with the Clerk at 419-586-6461, or file a fee waiver (CM 31, Loc.R. 2.05) if you cannot afford it.
Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Mercer County?: No. A dissolution is a joint filing used only when both spouses already agree on everything and sign a Separation Agreement first. An uncontested (default-style) divorce is still a lawsuit — used when a spouse won't participate or can't be found and is served by publication or posting (Civ.R. 4.4).
Which divorce forms does Mercer County use?: A mix: the statewide Uniform Domestic Relations Forms (Complaint 6 without children or 7 with children, plus Affidavits 1–4) together with Mercer's local forms — the SO 1 restraint order, the SO 2 parenting-time schedule, the DR 3/DR 4 child-support worksheet, the DR 7 A-OK parenting notice, and the DR 10 IV-D application.
Do I have to take a parenting class in a Mercer County divorce?: Yes. Parents of minor children in a divorce or dissolution must complete the A-OK Parenting Program ($30/person) before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). It runs the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November, 6:00–9:00 p.m., in Room 303 of the courthouse. You are registered automatically when you file.
What if I can't find my spouse to serve them?: If your spouse cannot be located, the court allows service by publication or posting (Civ.R. 4.4). For an in-forma-pauperis divorce, posting runs six weeks at the courthouse, the sheriff's office, and the Celina Police Department, and the case still proceeds to a decree on your evidence.
Can I e-file my case in Mercer County?: The Common Pleas Local Rules provide for e-filing (Loc.R. 29), but the court does not publish a standalone public e-filing portal. Register for or confirm the current e-filing method with the Clerk of Courts at 419-586-6461. Fax filing is no longer accepted without prior Clerk approval.

Free Local Resources in Mercer County

Mercer County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, CPO). Clerk Calvin Freeman, 101 N. Main St., Room 205, PO Box 28, Celina, OH 45822; (419) 586-6461; fax (419) 586-5826; clerk@mercercountycourts.com. Files all Domestic Relations and civil cases and confirms current deposits (divorce, dissolution, and post-decree motions are each a $350 deposit eff. 4/1/2024). No personal checks — cash, money order, or cashier's check, or pay online via LexisNexis. Court staff cannot give legal advice. Confirm the current amount and any e-filing registration (Common Pleas Loc.R. 29) with the Clerk before filing.
Mercer County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (hears all Domestic Relations cases). Judge Matthew K. Fox, Magistrate Richard M. Delzeith, 101 N. Main St., Room 301, Celina, OH 45822; (419) 586-2122; cpc@mercercountycourts.com. Decides divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, DR post-decree, and domestic-violence civil protection orders. There is no separate Domestic Relations court.
Mercer County Probate/Juvenile Division (never-married parents, non-parent custody). Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Suite 307 (3rd floor), 101 N. Main St., Celina, OH 45822; juvenile line (419) 586-1249 or (419) 586-2418; fax (419) 586-4506; https://mercercountycourts.com/index.php. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus grandparent and other non-parent custody. New custody/support/visitation/paternity cases carry a $200 deposit (plus a $25 stenographer's fee); confirm current amounts with the court.
Mercer County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 220 W. Livingston St., Room B181, PO Box 649, Celina, OH 45822-0649; (419) 586-7961; toll-free 800-207-3597; fax (419) 586-2151; hours M–F 8:30 AM–4:00 PM. Opens IV-D child-support cases, establishes paternity administratively, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders.
A-OK Parenting Program (required for divorce/dissolution with minor children). Mercer County requires each parent in a divorce or dissolution with minor children to attend the A-OK Parenting Program before the final hearing (Common Pleas Loc.R. 21.02). Cost is a one-time $30 per person, paid at the class; you are registered automatically when you file, and the court mails your assigned date. The program runs 6:00–9:00 PM on the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November in Room 303 of the courthouse. Juvenile (never-married) cases are generally not ordered into A-OK. Call (419) 586-2122 to reschedule.
Ohio Legal Help & legal aid. Ohio Legal Help (https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/) has plain-English guides and the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms for divorce, custody, support, and protection orders. Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO) serves Mercer County for income-eligible residents — confirm the current intake line.

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 Mercer County family law

Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton metro.
Mercer County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Mercer County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
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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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