Perry County Family Law Guide
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Gavvl Law helps Perry County, Ohio families with divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and more. Find the right Perry County court, filing fees, and parenting resources below, or book a $25 first consultation to talk through your options with a local-focused attorney.
How we can help in Perry County
Ending a Marriage
- Divorce
Domestic Relations Court $285 divorce deposit · post-decree $130
Best for: You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, property, debt, or support).
View guide - Dissolution
Domestic Relations Court $235 dissolution deposit · indigency affidavit reduces the deposit to $25
Best for: You and your spouse agree on everything: property, debt, support, and (if any) parenting.
View guide - Legal Separation
Domestic Relations Court indigency affidavit reduces the deposit to $25
Best for: You want to divide finances and set parenting terms but not end the marriage.
View guide - Annulment
Domestic Relations Court $285 annulment deposit · indigency affidavit reduces the deposit to $25
Best for: You believe your marriage was never legally valid.
View guide
Parents & Children
- Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court General Division custody within a divorce ($285) or Juvenile custody case ($300)
Best for: You need a first custody and parenting-time order.
View guide - Child Support
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court General Division post-decree $130 · new juvenile case $300 / Motion to Reopen $200
Best for: You need to establish a first child-support order.
View guide - Paternity
Juvenile Court $300 new juvenile case ($200 second parent, eff. 1/1/2025)
Best for: The parents were not married when the child was born.
View guide - Shared Parenting
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Filed within a divorce ($285) or a juvenile parentage/custody case ($300)
Best for: Both parents want to remain residential parents and share major decisions.
View guide - Non-Parent Custody
Juvenile Court $300 new juvenile case ($50 inside an unruly/delinquency case)
Best for: You are a grandparent or relative raising a child whose parents can't care for them.
View guide
Changing or Enforcing Orders
- Modifications
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court $130 General Division post-decree deposit · Juvenile Motion to Reopen $200
Best for: There has been a real change since your last order (income, relocation, schedule, or the child's needs).
View guide - Contempt
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court $130 General Division post-decree deposit · indigency affidavit reduces the deposit to $25
Best for: The other parent is violating a court order (withholding the children or not paying support).
View guide
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court for never-married parents a new juvenile case is $300
Best for: You have a pending divorce, dissolution, or post-decree case and need orders now.
View guide - Protection Orders
Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: You need protection from a family or household member who has hurt or threatened you.
View guide
The Perry County family-law guide
Verified June 21, 2026
Download our free Perry County family-law guide (PDF) — a plain-language walkthrough of which court hears each matter, the current filing fees, the required parenting class, and e-filing — checked against the county's own court rules and fee schedules.
Download the Perry County family-law guide (PDF)
Talk to a Perry County family-law attorney
Sources we checked
- Perry County Court of Common Pleas — General Division Local Rules & Forms
- Perry County Clerk of Courts — Filing Fees & E-Filing
- Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court — Filing Fees & Forms
- Ohio Supreme Court — Standard Domestic Relations forms
What we confirmed for 2026
- The General Division (Judge Tina M. Boyer) hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court.
- General Division deposits: $285 for divorce, legal separation, annulment, or a parental-rights (custody) case, $235 for dissolution, and $130 for most post-decree motions, plus per-filing add-ons (computerization $13, ADR $5, special projects $15).
- File with Clerk Wes Harlan ((740) 342-1022) and e-file through the Henschen portal (efile.henschen.com); a fax filing may not start or reopen a case (Local Rule 6).
- Local Rule 17 requires the OSU Extension 'Successful Co-Parenting: Helping Children Cope With Divorce' class ($25 cash, pre-register about a week ahead at (740) 743-1602) for any divorce or dissolution with children under 18.
- Never-married parents file paternity, custody, and support in the Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Luann Cooperrider, Juvenile (740) 342-1118), where a new case costs $300.
Perry County family-law courts
Domestic Relations Court
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and spousal support for married spouses
Perry County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
105 N. Main Street, New Lexington, OH 43764
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1022
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Local Rule 2)
Juvenile Court
Custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity for unmarried parents
Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court
105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 167, New Lexington, OH 43764
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1118
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Court divisions, filing fees, and local requirements can change. Confirm the correct court, current fees, and required forms with the Perry County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Why Perry County is different
A child-support application rides with every DR filing
Local Rule 17 requires a IV-D / CSEA Application for Child Support Services to accompany every new Domestic Relations filing. There is no online form — obtain it from the Child Support Division at (740) 342-2278 or Job & Family Services at (740) 342-3551 before you file. (Perry County Court of Common Pleas — General Division)
Parenting class through OSU Extension in Somerset
Under Local Rule 17(4), divorces and dissolutions with children under 18 require the 'Successful Co-Parenting' class run by OSU Extension Perry County (104 S. Columbus St., Somerset; (740) 743-1602). The fee is $25 cash and you must pre-register about a week ahead; Extension sends proof of completion directly to the court. (Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court / OSU Extension)
Budget for the guardian ad litem deposit
When the court appoints a guardian ad litem in a General Division case, the deposit is $400 per party. Juvenile GAL deposits run higher ($500 per party), so factor this in if custody is contested. (Perry County Clerk of Courts)
Free local resources in Perry County
- Perry County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations) — Clerk Wes Harlan, 105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 67, New Lexington, OH 43764; (740) 342-1022, fax (740) 342-5527. Files all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases. Forms at https://pccommonpleas.com/forms.php; e-file through the Henschen portal at https://efile.henschen.com/. The General Division (Judge Tina M. Boyer) hears all domestic-relations matters — there is no separate Domestic Relations court. The Clerk cannot give legal advice or fill out forms. Confirm current deposits before filing.
- “Successful Co-Parenting” parenting class (OSU Extension, Perry County) — 104 S. Columbus Street, Somerset, OH 43783; (740) 743-1602 (https://perry.osu.edu/). Required under Local Rule 17(4) for any divorce or dissolution with children under 18. Fee $25 cash, pre-register at least one week ahead. Attend after the answer date in a divorce, or before the final hearing in a dissolution. OSU Extension sends proof of completion directly to the court. Confirm the current schedule and fee when registering.
- Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court — Judge Luann Cooperrider, 105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 167, New Lexington, OH 43764 (https://perrycountyohio.gov/law-courts/perry-county-ohio-probate-and-juvenile-court/). Juvenile (740) 342-1118; Paternity/Custody Division (740) 342-5520; Probate (740) 342-1493. Hears unmarried-parent paternity, custody, parenting time, and non-parent custody (Juvenile) and adoptions (Probate), using the Supreme Court of Ohio standardized forms.
- Perry County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) — (740) 342-2278. Perry County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs automatic wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. File a IV-D Application whenever support is established or modified.
- Perry County Job & Family Services / Children Services — (740) 342-3551. Investigates abuse, neglect, and dependency referrals and can file complaints in Juvenile Court. Statewide child-abuse hotline: 1-855-O-H-CHILD (1-855-642-4453).
Frequently asked questions
Does Gavvl Law serve Perry County, Ohio?
Yes. Gavvl Law represents families across all 88 Ohio counties, including Perry County and New Lexington. We handle divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law matters for Perry County residents.
Which Perry County court handles my family law case?
Perry County uses different courts for different family matters. Married spouses file for divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at Perry County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Unmarried parents handle custody, parenting time, and child support at Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court. Filing in the wrong court can delay your case, so confirm where your matter belongs with the Perry County Clerk of Courts before you start.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Perry County?
Court filing fees in Perry County are deposits that vary by case type. These deposits can change and do not include attorney fees. Confirm the current schedule with the Perry County Clerk of Courts, and ask Gavvl Law about flat fees and payment plans for representation.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Perry County?
Most Ohio courts require divorcing or separating parents to complete a short parenting or co-parenting class before a judge will finalize the case. Confirm Perry County's current requirement and approved providers with the Clerk of Courts.
Can I file Perry County family law forms online?
It depends on the court. Some Ohio courts accept e-filing while others require paper filing in person or by mail. Check the Perry County Clerk of Courts website for the current options before you prepare your documents.
How long does a divorce or dissolution take in Perry County?
It depends on the path. An Ohio dissolution — used when both spouses agree on every issue — is generally finalized within about 30 to 90 days of filing, because the law sets the final hearing in that window. A contested divorce takes longer, often several months to more than a year, depending on the issues and the court's schedule. Perry County's docket affects timing, so ask about current wait times at your consultation.
What family law services does Gavvl Law offer in Perry County?
Gavvl Law offers divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, shared parenting, child support, paternity, post-decree modifications, and more for Perry County families. Choose a service below to see the local process and forms.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
