Summit County Protection Order Attorneys

Hire Gavvl for your Summit County cpo case

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

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

Hire Gavvl Law for a Summit County Civil Protection Order

A Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31 is the fastest protection Ohio offers against abuse by a family or household member, and in Summit County it is filed with no filing fee at the Domestic Relations Court, 205 South High Street in Akron. If your sworn petition shows present and immediate danger, a judge can sign an ex parte order the same day, effective the moment the Sheriff serves it, with a full hearing to follow within 7 to 10 court days. Gavvl Law prepares the petition and stands with you at that hearing; contested matters can move to full representation.

• A petition written to earn same-day protection. The court grants ex parte relief only on specific, recent facts of present and immediate danger, not general fear. We draft the Form 10.01-D petition and proposed ex parte order (Form 10.01-H) with dates, incidents, and corroboration so a judge can act the day you file.
• Ready for the 7-to-10-day full hearing. After an ex parte order, the full hearing is set within 7 court days, or 10 if the order excludes the respondent from a shared home. We prepare your witnesses and exhibits for a preponderance-standard hearing, where the court can enter a final order lasting up to five years.
• The right order for the relationship. A CPO covers family or household members; if the respondent is a stranger, neighbor, or co-worker, the correct tool is a Stalking Protection Order under R.C. 2903.214 in the General Division. We confirm you are filing the order the court can actually grant, and note that CPO petitions carry no filing fee.

CPO petitions are heard by a judge at the Summit DR Court, 205 South High Street in Akron, where the 1st-floor Clerk's Office opens at 7:30 a.m. and no-cost domestic-violence advocates can help you file. We know the building — Clerk on the first floor, judge hearings on the fourth — so nothing about the courthouse slows down your protection.

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.

Start your cpo case or see payment plans & financing.

Civil Protection Orders in Ohio: How a DVCPO Works

A Gavvl Law attorney explains how a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order works in Ohio — who qualifies, how same-day ex parte protection is granted, what happens at the full hearing, and how long a final order lasts.

Watch the video explainer on YouTube

Where to File: Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Summit County Juvenile Court
650 Dan Street, Akron, OH 44310
Phone: (330) 643-2900
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Civil Protection Orders is the right path if…

• You and the respondent are family or household members: spouse / ex / co-parent / intimate partner / blood relative / current or former cohabitant.
• The respondent has caused, attempted, or threatened serious physical harm, or committed stalking, sexual assault, or menacing.
• You need immediate court protection — stay-away, no-contact, residence exclusion, temporary custody, or surrender of weapons.
• You can describe specific incidents with dates and details in a sworn petition.

If the person who harmed you is NOT a family or household member (a stranger, neighbor, or co-worker), you may need a Stalking Protection Order under R.C. 2903.214 in the General Division instead. Not sure which order fits? Take the quiz →

Filing Fees

No filing fee · No-cost domestic-violence advocates available in Summit County

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Civil Protection Orders in Summit County

1. Confirm the relationship qualifies under R.C. 3113.31. Spouse, ex, co-parent, intimate partner, blood relative, or current/former cohabitant. If it doesn't qualify, a Stalking Protection Order under R.C. 2903.214 in the General Division may apply instead.
2. Write specific facts in the petition. Dates, locations, what happened, witnesses, prior threats. Attach photos, texts, medical records, and police reports — anything that corroborates. Vague allegations get denied ex parte.
3. File at 205 South High Street and request same-day ex parte review. No filing fee. Bring the petition, your ID, and any supporting documents to the 1st-floor Clerk's Office. A Judge (not a Magistrate) hears CPO petitions.
4. Wait for Sheriff service and the full hearing. If ex parte relief is granted, the respondent is served by the Summit County Sheriff and the order is in effect immediately. The full hearing follows within 7-10 court days.
5. Attend the full hearing prepared. Bring all witnesses, exhibits, and documentation. The court can issue a final CPO for up to five years, dismiss the petition, or enter a Consent Agreement CPO if both parties agree.

Summit County Practice Notes

• Two floors, one building. The Summit DR Court splits hearings across floors — Magistrate hearings on the 3rd floor, Judge hearings on the 4th. CPO petitions are heard by a Judge. The Clerk's Office is on the 1st floor and opens at 7:30 a.m. Everyone clears a metal detector, so arrive early.
• Ex parte criteria. A judge grants ex parte relief only on a finding of present and immediate danger of domestic violence. The petition — and any in-person testimony at the same-day review — must show specific, recent facts, not general fear.
• Full hearing within 7-10 court days. If the ex parte order is granted, the full hearing is set within 7 court days (10 if a residence exclusion is involved). If ex parte relief is denied, you can still proceed to the full hearing, where the standard is preponderance of the evidence.
• Free advocates. Summit County partners with domestic-violence advocacy services that can help you complete the petition and prepare for hearings at no cost. Ask the Clerk for the on-site advocate when you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file a Civil Protection Order in Summit County?

File the Petition for a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 205 South High Street, Akron, OH 44308. There is no filing fee for a CPO. The Clerk's Office is on the 1st floor and opens at 7:30 a.m. — earlier than the rest of the court. Ask for the same-day ex parte review when you file.

How fast can a Summit County CPO take effect?

If your sworn petition shows present and immediate danger of domestic violence, a Summit DR judge can sign an Ex Parte CPO the same day you file. It becomes effective the moment the respondent is served by the Sheriff. A full hearing is then set within 7 court days (10 if the order excludes the respondent from a shared residence), where the respondent can appear and respond.

How long does a final Summit County CPO last?

A final Civil Protection Order in Summit County can last up to five years and is renewable. The court can include no-contact, stay-away, residence-exclusion, temporary custody, parenting-time, support, and surrender-of-weapons terms. Violating a CPO is a separate criminal offense, so Akron police and the Summit County Sheriff can arrest on a violation.

Do I qualify for a CPO, or do I need a different order?

A Civil Protection Order under R.C. 3113.31 is for family or household members: a spouse or ex-spouse, a co-parent, an intimate partner, a blood relative, or a current or former cohabitant. If the person who harmed or threatened you is a stranger, acquaintance, neighbor, or co-worker, you instead seek a Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order under R.C. 2903.214, which is filed in the General Division, not the DR Court.

What are the filing fees, and what if I can't afford them?

There is no filing fee for a Civil Protection Order. For a non-parent custody case in Juvenile Court, expect a standard filing deposit of roughly $100-$150. If you cannot afford it, file the Financial Disclosure / Affidavit of Indigency to ask the court to waive the fee, or the Application for a Fee Payment Plan to pay in installments.

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.

Other Family-Law Topics in Summit County

• Summit County Divorce — Full filing guide with forms, fees, and the court's parenting class.
• Ohio Grandparents' Rights — Statewide overview of custody and companionship options for grandparents.
• Ohio Child Support Calculator — Run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself.
• Ohio family-law resources — 88-county directory of courts and legal aid.

Related to your cpo 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 cpo 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.

More Summit County family-law resources

• Ohio Civil Protection Orders guide — Statewide overview of civil protection orders in Ohio.
• Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
• Summit County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Summit 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.