Civil Protection Orders in Monroe County

Where to File: Monroe County Court of Common Pleas — General Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Monroe County Combined Probate/Juvenile Division
101 North Main Street, Room 39, Woodsfield, OH 43793
Phone: (740) 472-5790
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You need protection from a family or household member who has harmed or threatened you.
• You want a court order setting distance, contact, and residence restrictions.
• You may need immediate (ex parte) protection before a full hearing.
• You understand the petitioner pays no filing fee for a domestic-violence CPO.

Filing Fees

No filing fee for the petitioner of a domestic-violence CPO (R.C. 3113.31) · same-day ex parte review · full hearing within 7–10 days · pre-filing appointment recommended at (740) 472-0841 · emergencies: 911 or Sheriff (740) 472-1612

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Monroe County

1. Complete the statewide forms. Fill out the Ohio Supreme Court protection-order petition (and ex parte request), describing the most recent incidents and any immediate danger.
2. File with the Common Pleas Court. File on the third floor at 101 North Main Street, Woodsfield — there is no filing fee for the petitioner. The Court recommends a pre-filing appointment at (740) 472-0841.
3. Get same-day ex parte review. The court reviews the petition the same day and can issue a temporary ex parte order if it shows an immediate danger.
4. Attend the full hearing. Attend the full hearing within 7–10 days, where both sides present evidence and the court may issue a final Civil Protection Order. For emergencies before then, call 911 or the Sheriff at (740) 472-1612.

Monroe County Practice Notes

• No petitioner fee, same-day ex parte review. There is no filing fee for the petitioner of a domestic-violence Civil Protection Order (R.C. 3113.31). File with the Common Pleas Court on the third floor; the court reviews the petition the same day and can issue an ex parte order if it shows an immediate danger, with a full hearing within 7–10 days. The Court recommends scheduling a pre-filing appointment by calling (740) 472-0841.
• Statewide forms and emergency contacts. Monroe County does not post local CPO forms; use the statewide Supreme Court protection-order forms (petition, ex parte order, full order). For immediate physical danger, call 911 or the Monroe County Sheriff at (740) 472-1612 — a CPO is a civil order, not a substitute for calling law enforcement in an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to get a protection order in Monroe County?

No. There is no filing fee for the petitioner of a domestic-violence Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31. File with the Common Pleas Court on the third floor; in an emergency call 911 or the Monroe County Sheriff at (740) 472-1612.

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

The Court reviews a petition the same day and can issue an ex parte order if it shows an immediate danger. A full hearing is generally set within 7–10 days, where both sides present evidence and the Court may issue a final CPO. The Court recommends scheduling a pre-filing appointment by calling (740) 472-0841 (third floor); use the statewide Supreme Court protection-order forms.

Can I get custody decided before my Monroe County divorce is final?

Yes. While a divorce, dissolution, or legal-separation case is pending, either spouse can ask for temporary orders (Civ.R. 75) about custody, parenting time, support, or use of the home, commonly using Affidavit 5 so the judge can rule on the affidavits. For an urgent child-safety situation you can seek an ex parte order with a prompt follow-up hearing. Temporary orders last until the final decree replaces them.

Does Monroe County have a separate divorce (Domestic Relations) court?

No. Monroe County has no separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and protection orders are heard by the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas (Hon. Julie R. Selmon) and filed through the Clerk of Courts (Beth Ann Rose, Room 26) at 101 North Main Street, Woodsfield, OH 43793. The Clerk's filing line is (740) 472-0761; the court's general line is (740) 472-0841.

Free Local Resources in Monroe County

• Monroe County Clerk of Courts (General Division). Current filing fees, deposit amounts, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment. Clerk Beth Ann Rose, Room 26; call (740) 472-0761 before filing. The county uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms and accepts e-filing through the Henschen portal (https://efile.henschen.com/).
• Monroe County Combined Probate/Juvenile Division. Handles never-married-parent custody, parentage, parenting time, and child support, plus non-parent custody and adoptions, under Hon. James W. Peters in Room 39. Juvenile line (740) 472-5790; Probate line (740) 472-1654.
• Monroe County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA / DJFS). Housed in the Monroe County Department of Job and Family Services at 100 Home Avenue, Woodsfield. Prepares the support worksheet for free, opens IV-D cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Phone (740) 472-1602.
• Parenting Session — OSU Extension. The two-hour 'Helping Children Cope With Divorce' session required under Local Rule XV. Register through OSU Extension at (740) 472-0810; the fee is $10 under the rule / $15 per the Court's class page — confirm when you register.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

Other Family-Law Topics in Monroe County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Monroe 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.

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