Legal Separation in Richland County

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

Richland County, Ohio · Mansfield

A legal separation divides property and debt and sets support and parenting terms without ending the marriage (R.C. 3105.17) — you stay legally married. It is filed in the Richland County Domestic Relations Court, which expressly hears legal-separation cases, and uses the same $450 deposit and local intake forms as a divorce.

How is a legal separation different from a divorce in Richland County, Ohio?

A legal separation (R.C. 3105.17) sets support, property, and parenting terms but does not dissolve the marriage — you remain legally married. File a Complaint for Legal Separation in the Richland County Domestic Relations Court with the Financial Affidavit (Form 05.00), Personal Identifiers (Form 20.00), Case Designation (Form 21.00), and — with children — the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Form 06.00). The deposit is $450, the same residency and parenting-seminar rules as a divorce apply, and if you later decide to end the marriage you would file a divorce or dissolution.

Ohio Legal Separation by the Numbers

Stay married A legal separation decree does not end the marriage — neither spouse may remarry Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17
No residency rule Unlike a divorce, a legal separation has no 6-month Ohio residency requirement before filing Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
Full orders The court can divide property and order spousal support, custody, and child support Source: Ohio Revised Code §§ 3105.171, 3105.18
Can convert A legal separation does not stop either spouse from later filing for divorce Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Ohio

Question	Legal separation	Divorce
Are you still legally married?	Yes — you stay married	No — the marriage ends
Can you remarry afterward?	No	Yes
Divides marital property and debts?	Yes	Yes
Can it order support, custody, and parenting time?	Yes	Yes
Ohio residency required to file?	Not required	6 months in Ohio
Can it later become a divorce?	Yes — either spouse can still file	It already ends the marriage

Where to File: Richland County Domestic Relations Court

50 Park Ave. East, Third Floor, Mansfield, OH 44902-1861
Phone: (419) 774-5573
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations

Legal Separation is the right path if…

You need court-ordered support, property, or parenting arrangements but don't want to end the marriage.
You're separating for religious reasons or to keep certain benefits.
At least one spouse meets Ohio's six-month residency.
You understand you'll remain legally married until a later divorce or dissolution.

Filing Fees

$450 legal-separation deposit · fee waiver via Form 01.00 · pay through the Clerk or PayGov · confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Courts at (419) 774-3526

Forms & Filing Packets

File for legal separation — $450 legal-separation deposit

File the Complaint for Legal Separation with the Financial Affidavit, Personal Identifiers, and Case Designation; with children add the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit and parenting plan. The Successful Co-Parenting seminar applies with children.

Financial Affidavit (Richland Form 05.00) — Richland uses its own local Financial Affidavit for income, expenses, and assets — confirm via the matching pleadings checklist whether the local form or the SCOO affidavit is wanted.
Personal Identifiers (Richland Form 20.00) — Confidential sheet listing SSNs and other identifiers, filed separately from the public record.
Case Designation Form (Richland Form 21.00) — Identifies the case type for the Clerk when you open a new DR action.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Richland Form 06.00) — Required in any case with minor children — lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years to confirm Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
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 Legal Separation in Richland County

Confirm it's the right tool. Choose legal separation if you need court-ordered support/property/parenting terms but want to stay married.
Complete the complaint. Prepare the Complaint for Legal Separation with the Financial Affidavit (Form 05.00), Personal Identifiers (Form 20.00), and Case Designation (Form 21.00); with children add the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Form 06.00).
File with the $450 deposit. File at the Richland County Clerk of Courts for the DR Court in Mansfield, or file the fee-waiver Application (Form 01.00).
Serve and complete the seminar. Serve the other spouse; with children, both parents complete Successful Co-Parenting before the court enters judgment.

Richland County Practice Notes

Mandatory "Successful Co-Parenting" seminar (cases with children). Any divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment with minor children requires both parents to complete Richland's "Successful Co-Parenting" seminar (R.C. 3109.053). The court mails class information within 30 days after service is completed (divorce/legal separation/annulment) or within 15 days after filing (dissolution). File the certificate — with the case number at the top — before the final hearing; no final judgment is entered until both parents attend (or are excused for good cause). A parent who attended within one year before filing is exempt. Confirm the provider, cost, and format with the DR Court.
A legal separation does not end the marriage. A legal separation sets support/property/parenting terms but leaves you legally married (R.C. 3105.17). If you later decide to end the marriage, you would file a divorce or dissolution. The same six-month Ohio residency rule and parenting-seminar requirement (with children) apply as in a divorce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Richland County?: To file in Ohio you must have been an Ohio resident for at least six months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), and venue must be proper in Richland County. The Richland skill does not set a separate county-residency duration — confirm venue questions with the Clerk of Courts.
How much does it cost to file in the Richland County DR Court?: Published DR cash deposits include $450 for a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, paternity, or allocation-of-parental-rights complaint; $200 for a counterclaim; $300 for a reallocation, parenting-time, contempt, or other post-decree motion; $250 each to register a foreign decree or support order; $125 for a motion to compel; $50 for a process server; and $20 for a Notice of Intent to Relocate. A DVCPO has no filing fee. These are deposits against costs, not the total cost of a case — confirm the current schedule with the Clerk. If you can't afford the deposit, file the fee-waiver Application (Form 01.00). Pay through the Clerk or PayGov, not a third-party app.
Is a parenting class required in Richland County?: Yes — any divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment with minor children requires both parents to complete the "Successful Co-Parenting" seminar (R.C. 3109.053). The court mails class information within 30 days after service is completed (divorce/legal separation/annulment) or within 15 days after filing (dissolution). File the certificate before the final hearing; no final judgment is entered until both parents attend or are excused for good cause. A parent who attended within one year before filing is exempt. Confirm the provider, current cost, and format with the DR Court.
Which court hears family-law cases in Richland County, Ohio?: Almost all of them go to the Richland County Domestic Relations Court (Judge Beth Owens; Chief Magistrate Brian Kellogg) at 50 Park Ave. East, Third Floor, Mansfield, (419) 774-5573. The DR Court hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, civil domestic-violence (DVCPO), parentage/paternity, allocation of parental rights (custody), parenting time, non-parent custody, and all post-decree matters — even for never-married parents. The separate Juvenile Court handles only abuse/neglect/dependency (CPS), delinquency, unruly, and truancy. A Civil Stalking Protection Order (non-household) is filed in the General Division, not the DR Court.

Free Local Resources in Richland County

Richland County Clerk of Courts. Handles filing and e-filing for the Common Pleas Court, including Domestic Relations. Clerk Heidi Ewing · (419) 774-3526 · https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/clerkHome.php. All civil case types e-file through the Clerk's CourtView eAccess portal (available since June 1, 2023); online payments run through PayGov on the Clerk's ePayments page. Confirm current deposits and packet requirements before filing.
Richland County DR Court Forms, Fees & Local Rules. Official Domestic Relations forms, fee schedule, pleadings checklists, and the 2026 Local Rules. Forms: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/domesticforms · Fees: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/courtfees · Pleadings checklists: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/procedureinformationlinks · Self-represented help: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/proceedingwithoutanattorney.
Richland County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Richland County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. CSEA scheduling at the DR Court: Rhiannon Wright · (419) 774-5692. File a Title IV-D Application (JFS-07076) when establishing or modifying support.
Legal Aid & Ohio Legal Help. Free and low-cost legal information for Richland County residents who cannot afford an attorney. Legal Aid: https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/legalAid.php · Ohio Legal Help: https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/legalHelp.php. If you can't afford the filing deposit, ask the Clerk about an Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E).

Related to your legal separation case

Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after 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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on legal separation and related Ohio family law topics.

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 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.
Spousal Support in Ohio: How Alimony Is Decided — Ohio has no fixed alimony formula. Courts weigh 14 statutory factors to decide whether spousal support is appropriate, how much, and for how long. Here's how it works.

Keep exploring

Ohio Legal Separation guide — Statewide overview of legal separation in Ohio.
Medina family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Medina metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.