Summit County Divorce & Family Law Attorneys
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Gavvl Law represents Akron and Summit County families in divorce, dissolution, custody and shared parenting, child support, paternity, and civil protection orders. Choose flat-fee, limited-scope help or full representation, and start with a $25 consultation — backed by our verified Summit County court guide.
How we can help in Summit County
Ending a Marriage
- Divorce
Domestic Relations Court Summit County divorce deposit: $420 with children · $370 without
Best for: You want to end the marriage and can't reach a full agreement, or your spouse won't participate.
View guide - Dissolution
Domestic Relations Court Summit County dissolution deposit: $400 with children · $370 without
Best for: You and your spouse agree on all property, debt, and support terms.
View guide - Legal Separation
Domestic Relations Court $370 without
Best for: You want to divide finances and set custody but stay legally married.
View guide - Annulment
Domestic Relations Court Summit County annulment deposit: $420 with children · $370 without
Best for: Your marriage may be legally invalid (bigamy, fraud, underage, or incapacity).
View guide
Parents & Children
- Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Never-married parents: parentage case, $420 private parenting complaint
Best for: You need a first custody and parenting-time order, or want to change one.
View guide - Child Support
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Modification: $240 post-decree motion or a CSEA review
Best for: You need a first child-support order set, or help with other child support matters.
View guide - Paternity
Juvenile Court Parentage filings $420
Best for: You are an unmarried father seeking legal recognition and parenting rights.
View guide - Shared Parenting
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: Both parents want to share residential and legal-custody responsibilities.
View guide - Non-Parent Custody
Juvenile Court Standard Juvenile filing deposit ~$100-$150
Best for: You are a grandparent, relative, or caregiver — not a parent — seeking legal custody.
View guide
Changing or Enforcing Orders
- Modifications
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court All Summit post-decree motions: $240
Best for: Your circumstances have changed since the last order.
View guide - Contempt
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Contempt actions: $240
Best for: The other party is violating a custody, parenting-time, or support order.
View guide
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: A child is facing immediate physical or emotional harm.
View guide - CPO
Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: You and the respondent are family or household members: spouse / ex / co-parent / intimate partner / blood relative / current or former cohabitant.
View guide
The Summit County family-law guide
Verified June 20, 2026
Download our free Summit 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 Summit County family-law guide (PDF)
Talk to a Summit County family-law attorney
Sources we checked
- Summit County Domestic Relations Court — Local Rules & Programs
- Summit County Clerk of Courts — Filing Fees
- Summit County Domestic Relations Court — Parent Education Programs
- Ohio Supreme Court — Standard Domestic Relations forms
What we confirmed for 2026
- 2026 filing fees confirmed: divorce $370 without minor children and $420 with children; dissolution $370 without children and $400 with children; legal separation $370/$420.
- Most post-decree motions cost $240.
- Never-married parents file a Private Parenting Complaint ($420) in the Domestic Relations Court and attend the "Working Together" program; divorcing and dissolving parents attend "Remember the Children."
- Both parent-education programs are delivered online through the court's learning system; the court order states which one applies, and a dissolution is not scheduled until both parents finish it.
- E-filed proposed orders must be in Word and all other documents in PDF; protection-order petitions cannot be e-filed.
Summit County family-law courts
Domestic Relations Court
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and spousal support for married spouses
Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division
205 South High Street, Akron, OH 44308
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 643-2365
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Juvenile Court
Custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity for unmarried parents
Summit County Juvenile Court
650 Dan Street, Akron, OH 44310
Akron, OH 44310
Phone: (330) 643-2900
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 Summit County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Why Summit County is different
Married or not, you file in the same court
Summit's Domestic Relations Court handles both divorce/dissolution and unmarried parents' custody and support, which is filed as a Private Parenting Complaint ($420). Never-married parents attend the "Working Together" class; divorcing and dissolving parents attend "Remember the Children." (Summit County Domestic Relations Court)
Your court order names your parenting class
Both parent-education programs run online through the court's learning system, and your court order states which one you must finish. A dissolution hearing is not scheduled until both parents complete the required program. (Summit County Domestic Relations Court — Parent Education)
Be early — the 15-minute rule
Court decorum (Local Rule 1.11) tells parties to arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you are more than 15 minutes late, the court may proceed without you. (Summit County Domestic Relations Court)
Who you'll work with in Summit County
Summit County cases are covered by Gavvl Law's Northeast Ohio team, which handles Akron, Cleveland, and Medina-area filings. Consultations are by phone or video, and every matter starts with a flat-fee quote — no hourly surprises.
- Elizabeth Warren — Managing Partner & Co-Founder. Co-founded Gavvl Law and leads the Northeast Ohio team, covering Akron and Summit County family-law filings.
- David Thomas — Of Counsel Attorney. Handles Akron and Cleveland-area divorce, dissolution, and custody matters for Summit County families.
- Ari Goldstein — Of Counsel Attorney. Works with Northeast Ohio clients on family-law filings, from parenting-plan disputes to support modifications.
Ohio families rate Gavvl Law 4.8/5 across 90+ Google reviews.
Free local resources in Summit County
- Summit Free Legal Clinic at Open M — Court-hosted community clinic in Akron offering free legal advice for self-represented parties.
- Summit County DR Court — drcourt.org — CPO forms, Local Rules, judge bios, and the parenting-class LMS. Clerk's Office (1st floor) opens at 7:30 a.m.
- Summit County Juvenile Court — juvenilecourt.summitoh.net · (330) 643-2900. Custody, visitation, support, and Grandparent Power of Attorney forms at 650 Dan Street.
- Summit County CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency) — Opens IV-D cases and collects/distributes child support through wage withholding once a support order is in place.
- Victim Assistance Program of Summit County — Free advocates who help domestic-violence survivors complete CPO petitions and prepare for hearings.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gavvl Law serve Summit County, Ohio?
Yes. Gavvl Law represents families across all 88 Ohio counties, including Summit County and Akron. We handle divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law matters for Summit County residents.
Which Summit County court handles my family law case?
Summit County uses different courts for different family matters. Married spouses file for divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. Unmarried parents handle custody, parenting time, and child support at Summit County Juvenile Court. Filing in the wrong court can delay your case, so confirm where your matter belongs with the Summit County Clerk of Courts before you start.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Summit County?
Court filing fees in Summit County are deposits that vary by case type. These deposits can change and do not include attorney fees. Confirm the current schedule with the Summit 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 Summit 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 Summit County's current requirement and approved providers with the Clerk of Courts.
Can I file Summit County family law forms online?
Yes. Summit County accepts electronic filing through its court e-filing portal, and self-represented (pro se) registration is typically available. Not every case type is eligible, so confirm what you can e-file — and any convenience fees — with the Summit County Clerk of Courts.
How long does a divorce or dissolution take in Summit 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. Summit County's docket affects timing, so ask about current wait times at your consultation.
What family law services does Gavvl Law offer in Summit County?
Gavvl Law offers divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, shared parenting, child support, paternity, post-decree modifications, and more for Summit County families. Choose a service below to see the local process and forms.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
