Filing for Divorce with Children in Stark County
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
File for divorce with minor children in the Stark County Family Court — Domestic Relations Division. Step-by-step guidance, 3 required forms, ~$391 filing fee, parenting class requirements, and Ohio attorney help.
Stark County runs a combined Family Court at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, in Canton — the Domestic Relations Division (Judge Michelle L. Cordova) and the Juvenile Division (Judge Rosemarie A. Hall) share one location, one main number, and a pool of six magistrates. The court distributes its own assembled filing packets rather than itemized Ohio uniform forms, and cases are filed with the Clerk of Courts' Domestic Relations Division on the 6th floor. The divorce or annulment deposit is $391 whether or not there are children (effective March 17, 2025), and cases with minor children require a court-approved parent-education program. A free Family Court Help Desk assists self-represented parties on Monday mornings.
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) |
Stark County Family Court — Domestic Relations Division
110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton, OH 44702Phone: (330) 451-7415
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: Court website
File with the Clerk's Domestic Relations Division, 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690 (6th floor), Canton, (330) 451-7792. The main Clerk's office is at 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, (330) 451-7801. Checks payable to 'Stark County Clerk of Courts'.
Filing Fees
$391 divorce with or without children
Stark County Procedure Quirks
- Combined Family Court — the Domestic Relations and Juvenile Divisions share 110 Central Plaza South in Canton, one main number, and a pool of six magistrates.
- Stark distributes its own assembled filing packets (with or without children) rather than itemized Ohio uniform forms.
- The Clerk issues the court's standard mutual restraining order when a divorce or legal-separation complaint, counterclaim, or answer is filed (Rule 12.07).
- Filing deposits increased effective March 17, 2025; a divorce or annulment deposit is $391 whether or not there are children.
Parenting Class
Court-approved parent-education program / Working Together for Kids — Stark County Family Court (Register / learn more)
A court-approved parent-education program is required for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and custody actions involving minor children (Rule 12.04). Unmarried parents filing an initial parental-rights action must complete the online 'Working Together for Kids' seminar before the initial hearing (Rule 16.06).
Judges
- Judge Michelle L. Cordova (DR Administrative Judge)
- Judge Matthew P. Kreitzer
Stark County Family Court — Juvenile Division
110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton, OH 44702Phone: (330) 451-7415
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: Juvenile court website
Combined with the Domestic Relations Division in one Family Court. Handles paternity and custody for never-married parents, grandparent / third-party custody, and abuse/neglect/dependency.
Domestic Relations vs. Juvenile
Stark County's Domestic Relations and Juvenile Divisions share one Family Court building at 110 Central Plaza South in Canton. The DR Division handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and the custody and support that travel with them for married parents; the Juvenile Division handles paternity and custody for never-married parents, plus grandparent / third-party custody.
Free Local Resources in Stark County
- Family Court Help Desk. Free help for self-represented parties completing and reviewing divorce and custody forms, plus court-procedure questions and notary services. Mondays 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., first come first served, (330) 451-7415.
- Court Filing Forms & Brochures. The court's assembled filing packets for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, contempt, and protection orders, hosted in the county Document Center at starkcountyohio.gov.
- Stark County Law Library. Public legal-research help at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 401, Canton, (330) 451-7380, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Required divorce-with-children packet (3 forms)
- Divorce with Children (Stark assembled packet) — Stark County's assembled divorce packet for cases with minor children, incorporating the parenting and support pleadings.
- Child Support Worksheet (Ohio statutory worksheet) — The Ohio statutory child-support worksheet, county-hosted by Stark, required with any divorce involving minor children (Rule 12.02).
- Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit — The children's past 5-year address history; a UCCJEA affidavit is mandatory (Rule 16.01). Ohio UDRF Affidavit 3.
Temporary orders while your case is pending
A temporary-orders hearing can be set within 1-21 days of filing (Rule 13). A temporary child-support request must be supported by a completed worksheet at the hearing, and support and legal-separation motions require signed, sworn, current income, expense, health-insurance, and property affidavits (Rule 15.03). The Clerk issues the court's standard mutual restraining order when the complaint, counterclaim, or answer is filed (Rule 12.07).
- Child Support Worksheet (Ohio statutory worksheet) — A temporary child-support request must be supported by a completed worksheet at the hearing (Rule 15.03).
Related guides
In-depth, attorney-written guides on divorce, custody, 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.
Related to your 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.
- Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
