Scioto County Protection Order Attorneys

Hire Gavvl for your Scioto County protection orders case

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

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Scioto County protection orders, handled by Gavvl Law

A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order shields you from a family or household member who has hurt or threatened you, and Scioto County makes it accessible: filed in the Domestic Relations Division under DR Rule 7.02, reviewed ex parte the same day, with no court cost or filing fee under DR Rule 7.02(B). Gavvl Law prepares the petition and stands with you at both the same-day review and the full hearing that follows.

• A petition written for the same-day review. The court reviews your Petition for a DV Civil Protection Order (Ohio Form 10.01-D) ex parte the day you file, so the most recent and most serious incidents have to be described in specific detail. We draft the petition so an immediate temporary order is justified on the facts, not left to guesswork.
• Prepared for the full hearing that follows. An ex parte order is temporary; a full hearing is set roughly seven to ten days later, where both sides are heard before any longer-term order. We prepare your testimony and exhibits and pursue the terms you need — no-contact, stay-away, residence exclusion, temporary custody, and surrender of weapons.
• A CPO, not just a paper restraint. The Mutual Restraining Order that issues automatically in a divorce under DR Rule 2.02 only protects assets and bars harassment — it is not physical protection. We make sure you are pursuing an enforceable DVCPO under R.C. 3113.31, or a juvenile protection order (R.C. 2151.34) in the Juvenile Division where the respondent is under 18.

Because a DVCPO in Scioto County carries no court cost or filing fee under DR Rule 7.02(B), the barrier to protection is low — the real work is presenting it well. We know the same-day ex parte process in the Domestic Relations Division at 602 7th St and can move immediately when your safety cannot wait for a normal hearing date.

Flat-fee options

Flat fee: we file your DV civil protection order petition and represent you at the ex parte and full hearings — or, if you are the responding party, defend you at the full hearing.

• Defend a protection order (full hearing): $2,900
• File a DV protection order (petition + hearings): $3,500

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. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

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Where to File: Scioto County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Scioto County Juvenile Court
602 7th St #201, Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8306
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM)

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• A family or household member has physically harmed, attempted to harm, or threatened you.
• You need an immediate, enforceable no-contact or stay-away order.
• You want protection terms that can include temporary custody and removal from the home.
• You're seeking protection, not primarily a custody ruling (though a CPO can include temporary custody).

Filing Fees

No court cost or filing fee for a DVCPO (DR Rule 7.02(B)) · filed in the Domestic Relations Division · ex parte hearing the same day · full hearing about 7–10 days later · juvenile CPO (R.C. 2151.34) handled by the Juvenile Division.

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Scioto County

1. Confirm the relationship. A DVCPO under R.C. 3113.31 applies to a family or household member; if the respondent is under 18, the Juvenile Division handles a juvenile CPO (R.C. 2151.34).
2. Complete the petition. Fill out the Petition for a DV Civil Protection Order (Form 10.01-D), describing the most recent and most serious incidents in detail.
3. File in the DR Division — no fee. File in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division (DR Rule 7.02); there is no court cost or filing fee.
4. Attend the same-day ex parte review. The court reviews your petition ex parte the day you file and can issue an immediate temporary order.
5. Return for the full hearing. A full hearing is set within about 7–10 days, where both sides are heard before a longer-term order is issued.

Scioto County Practice Notes

• Same-day ex parte review, no filing fee. A DVCPO under R.C. 3113.31 is filed in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division (DR Rule 7.02) and reviewed ex parte the same day, with a full hearing set shortly afterward. There is no court cost or filing fee (DR Rule 7.02(B)). Bring a detailed account of the most recent and most serious incidents.
• A CPO is different from a Mutual Restraining Order. The Mutual Restraining Order issued automatically in a divorce (DR Rule 2.02) only protects assets and bars harassment — it is not physical protection. A DVCPO is a separate, enforceable order against violence and can include no-contact, stay-away, residence-exclusion, temporary custody, and weapons-surrender terms.
• Scioto County adds local CPO paperwork (Notice to NCIC). Along with the statewide Ohio Supreme Court DV petition (Form 10.01-D) and order (Form 10.01-H), Scioto County uses its own DR CPO Notice to NCIC (DR Form 10, Appendix A to the D.R. Rules), and the petitioner completes the NCIC Form 10 and the Scioto County Sheriff's Department Form 11 before the ex parte hearing so the order is entered into the protection-order registry. The DR Court organizes its Civil Protection Order packet at sciotocountydrcourt.com; confirm the current packet with the Domestic Relations Division.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Same day for the ex parte order. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31 is filed in the Scioto County Domestic Relations Division (DR Rule 7.02) and heard ex parte the day you file, with a full hearing set shortly afterward. There is no court cost or filing fee (DR Rule 7.02(B)). Use the Ohio Supreme Court DV forms (10.01-D petition and 10.01-H order). Where the respondent is under 18, a juvenile civil protection order (R.C. 2151.34) is handled by the Juvenile Division (Juv. Local Rule 13).

Can I get an emergency custody order in Scioto County?

Only in a genuine emergency. In the Domestic Relations Division, DR Rule 7.09 lets you ask for an emergency ex parte order on a showing of extreme emergency, and the moving party must be available for immediate examination under oath. In the Juvenile Division, an emergency custody request is reviewed promptly under that court's rules. If the danger is domestic violence, file a Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31, which is heard ex parte the same day it is filed and carries no filing fee.

Does Scioto County have a separate Domestic Relations court?

Yes. Scioto County has a standalone Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas at 602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, before Judge Jerry L. Buckler and Magistrate Robert M. Johnson, (740) 355-8316. The DR Division hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, parentage under R.C. 3111, custody and support for both married and unmarried parents, post-decree matters, and domestic-violence civil protection orders. The Juvenile Division shares concurrent jurisdiction over unmarried custody, parentage, and support cases.

Free Local Resources in Scioto County

• Scioto County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division. Provides the current Clerk fee schedule (rev. 1/1/2024), local forms, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, and custody cases. Visit https://sciotoclerk.com/legal-division/ before filing to confirm deposits and accepted payment methods.
• Scioto County Domestic Relations Division. The standalone DR court (Judge Jerry L. Buckler; Magistrate Robert M. Johnson) at 602 7th St, Room 303, Portsmouth, (740) 355-8316 (fax (740) 355-8205). Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, parentage, custody, and support, and distributes the DR packets and local forms. Hours Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 PM). https://sciotocountydrcourt.com
• Scioto County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Scioto County's IV-D agency at 710 Court Street, Portsmouth, opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. Confirm the agency's current direct phone. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
• "Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension. The court-approved 3-hour parenting-education seminar for parents with minor children, taken online at https://scponline.osu.edu (registered via DR Form 11). Complete it within 60 days and file the Certificate of Attendance before the final hearing (DR Rule 6.02).

Other Family-Law Topics in Scioto County

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

Keep exploring Scioto County family law

• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
• Scioto County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Scioto County guide.
• Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
• Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.