Union County Family Law Guide
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Gavvl Law helps Union County, Ohio families with divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and more. Find the right Union County court, filing fees, and parenting resources below, or book a $25 first consultation to talk through your options with a local-focused attorney.
How we can help in Union County
Ending a Marriage
- Divorce
Domestic Relations Court $450 deposit without minor children · $560 with minor children
Best for: You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, money, property, debt, or support).
View guide - Dissolution
Domestic Relations Court $375 deposit without minor children · $400 with minor children, paid before the final entry
Best for: You and your spouse agree to end the marriage and on every term in writing.
View guide - Legal Separation
Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: You want court orders on property, support, and parenting but aren't ending the marriage.
View guide - Annulment
Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: Your marriage may be legally invalid (bigamy, underage, fraud, force, or incapacity).
View guide
Parents & Children
- Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: You need a court order setting who the children live with and how parenting time and decision-making are divided.
View guide - Child Support
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court post-decree modification $485 in a DR case
Best for: You need to establish a first child-support order or change an existing one.
View guide - Paternity
Juvenile Court Agreed custody case $75 · contested $115
Best for: You and the other parent were never married to each other.
View guide - Shared Parenting
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Part of the divorce/dissolution deposit (married) or the Juvenile new-case deposit (never-married, $75/$115) · added mediation sessions $160
Best for: Both parents want to be designated residential parents and legal custodians.
View guide - Non-Parent Custody
Juvenile Court Filed in the Union County Juvenile Court (deposit set by that court; agreed custody $75 / contested $115) · register an out-of-state order $115 ($175 with enforce/modify)
Best for: You are a grandparent, relative, or other non-parent seeking custody or visitation.
View guide
Changing or Enforcing Orders
- Modifications
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Post-decree motion deposit $485 · counterclaim $100
Best for: You already have a final Union County order and need to change it.
View guide - Contempt
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Juvenile show-cause motion $100 · DR post-decree motion $485
Best for: You have a final Union County order the other party is violating.
View guide
Emergency & Safety
- Emergency Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: A child faces an immediate risk of harm right now.
View guide - Protection Orders
Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk
Best for: A family or household member has harmed, threatened, or stalked you or your children.
View guide
The Union County family-law guide
Verified June 25, 2026
Download our free Union 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 Union County family-law guide (PDF)
Talk to a Union County family-law attorney
Sources we checked
- Union County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division, 215 W 5th St, Marysville, Clerk (937) 645-3015
- Union County Juvenile Division, Room 107, (937) 645-3029 ext. 3411
- Union County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), (937) 644-1010
What we confirmed for 2026
- Added rich county-hub enrichment for Union: keyFees (divorce $450/$560, dissolution $375/$400, post-decree motion $485, GAL $500, juvenile agreed custody $75 / contested $115) and the online co-parenting class ($49.99 per parent, ~4 hours).
- All amounts mirror the county's existing researched FAQ answers; no new figures introduced.
- Dissolution certificate must be filed within 90 days or the case is dismissed.
- Verified 2026-06-25 against the existing Union extra-module FAQs.
Union County family-law courts
Domestic Relations Court
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and spousal support for married spouses
Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division
215 W 5th St, Marysville, OH 43040
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3015
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Court divisions, filing fees, and local requirements can change. Confirm the correct court, current fees, and required forms with the Union County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Why Union County is different
Divorce vs. dissolution deposits
The Union County divorce deposit is $450 without minor children and $560 with minor children; the dissolution deposit is $375 / $400 and is paid before the final entry. An Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015. (Union base-hub FAQ: union-divorce-fee / union-dissolution-fee)
Co-parenting class — file within 90 days
Parents with minor children must complete Union's online co-parenting class ($49.99 per parent, about 4 hours) and file the certificate before the final hearing. In a dissolution, the case is dismissed if the certificate is not filed within 90 days. (Union base-hub FAQ: union-coparenting-class)
Hearings on temporary orders
Union holds a hearing on every temporary-order motion rather than deciding on affidavits alone, and exclusive use of the home is never granted without the other side being heard. For immediate protection, a domestic violence protection order (no filing fee; same-day ex parte; full hearing within 7–10 days) is the faster path. (Union base-hub FAQ: union-temp-orders-hearing / union-dvcpo)
Court filing fees in Union County
Domestic Relations Court
- Divorce filing deposit (no minor children): $450
- Divorce filing deposit (with minor children): $560
- Dissolution filing deposit (no minor children): $375
- Dissolution filing deposit (with minor children): $400 — Paid before the final entry.
- Post-decree motion to modify: $485
- Guardian ad Litem deposit: $500
Juvenile Court
- Agreed custody filing (Juvenile): $75
- Contested custody filing (Juvenile): $115 — Registering an out-of-state custody order is $115, or $175 if you also ask to enforce or modify it.
These are court deposits and can change. Confirm current amounts with the Union County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Parent education in Union County
- Union County online co-parenting class — $49.99 per parent · online, about 4 hours · Required
Required with minor children; in a dissolution the case is dismissed if the completion certificate is not filed within 90 days.
Emergency and protection orders in Union County
Union holds a hearing on every temporary-order motion rather than deciding on affidavits alone, so the divorce case is not the fast path for an emergency. For immediate protection, file a domestic violence protection order (no filing fee to the petitioner; a same-day ex parte order is available with a full hearing within 7–10 days). If you are in danger right now, call 911.
Free local resources in Union County
- Union County Clerk of Courts — Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (937) 645-3015 or visit https://www.unioncountyohio.gov/departments/CommonPleasCourt before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
- Union County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) — Union County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gavvl Law serve Union County, Ohio?
Yes. Gavvl Law represents families across all 88 Ohio counties, including Union County and Marysville. We handle divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law matters for Union County residents.
Which Union County court handles my family law case?
Most Union County family law cases are heard at Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division. The right division depends on your case type — for example, custody and support for unmarried parents is often handled in a separate juvenile division from divorce. Confirm where to file and any local requirements with the Union County Clerk of Courts before you start.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Union County?
Court filing fees in Union County are deposits that vary by case type — for example, the deposit for Divorce filing deposit (no minor children) is about $450. These deposits can change and do not include attorney fees. Confirm the current schedule with the Union 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 Union County?
Yes. Union County requires parents in divorce, dissolution, and most custody cases to complete a parenting class — Union County online co-parenting class ($49.99 per parent). Required with minor children; in a dissolution the case is dismissed if the completion certificate is not filed within 90 days.
Can I file Union County family law forms online?
It depends on the court. Some Ohio courts accept e-filing while others require paper filing in person or by mail. Check the Union County Clerk of Courts website for the current options before you prepare your documents.
How long does a divorce or dissolution take in Union 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. Union County's docket affects timing, so ask about current wait times at your consultation.
What family law services does Gavvl Law offer in Union County?
Gavvl Law offers divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, shared parenting, child support, paternity, post-decree modifications, and more for Union County families. Choose a service below to see the local process and forms.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
