Washington County Family Law Guide

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026

Gavvl Law helps Washington County, Ohio families with divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and more. Find the right Washington 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 Washington County

Ending a Marriage

  • Divorce

    Domestic Relations Court service by publication $750 · post-decree motions $200 each

    Best for: You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, property, debt, or support).

    View guide
  • Dissolution

    Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk

    Best for: You and your spouse agree on everything: property, debts, spousal support, and all parenting terms.

    View guide
  • Legal Separation

    Domestic Relations Court service by publication $750

    Best for: You want to resolve property, support, and parenting issues but stay legally married.

    View guide
  • Annulment

    Domestic Relations Court service by publication $750

    Best for: Your marriage fits a specific R.C. 3105.31 ground (underage, bigamy, fraud, force, incompetence, or non-consummation).

    View guide

Parents & Children

  • Custody

    Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Custody inside a divorce/dissolution: part of the $350 case deposit · Post-decree change-custody motion: $200

    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 Support inside a DR case is part of the $350 deposit · motion to modify support $200 (no deposit for a CSEA-brought motion)

    Best for: You need to establish a first child-support order, or change an existing one.

    View guide
  • Paternity

    Juvenile Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk

    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 $350 DR deposit (married) or the Juvenile new-case deposit (never-married)

    Best for: Both parents want to be designated residential parents and legal custodians.

    View guide
  • Non-Parent Custody

    Juvenile Court Complaint for Visitation $125

    Best for: You are a grandparent, relative, or other adult close to the child.

    View guide

Changing or Enforcing Orders

  • Modifications

    Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Each post-decree motion (change custody / modify support / modify visitation) $200 · counter-motion $35

    Best for: There's been a real change since the last order — income, a move, school, health, or safety.

    View guide
  • Contempt

    Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court $200 contempt / lump-sum deposit

    Best for: The other party is violating a clear, existing court order.

    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 to health, safety, or welfare.

    View guide
  • Protection Orders

    Domestic Relations Court Filing fees vary — confirm with the Clerk

    Best for: A family or household member has hurt, threatened, or stalked you.

    View guide

The Washington County family-law guide

Verified June 21, 2026

Download our free Washington 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 Washington County family-law guide (PDF)

Talk to a Washington County family-law attorney

Sources we checked

  • Washington County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — Local Rules
  • Washington County Clerk of Courts, Legal Division — Filing Fees & Forms
  • Washington County Juvenile Court — Filing & Forms
  • Ohio Supreme Court — Standard Domestic Relations forms

What we confirmed for 2026

  • Washington County has no separate Domestic Relations court — divorce, dissolution, and legal separation are heard in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas (Judges Nicole Coil and John M. Halliday).
  • The DR filing deposit is $350 (some older packets still print $330 — confirm with the Clerk); most post-decree change-of-custody, support, and visitation motions are $200 each, and a new Complaint for Visitation is $125.
  • Filings are made through the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, 205 Putnam St., Marietta, (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  • The court-approved parenting class is 'Successful Co-Parenting' through OSU Extension — the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., $30 in exact cash, pre-register at (740) 376-7431.
  • A DVCPO petition has no filing fee; the Clerk distributes the Ohio Supreme Court protection-order forms on request (Local Rule 26), with the ex parte heard the same day and the full hearing within 7–10 days.

Washington County family-law courts

Domestic Relations Court

Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and spousal support for married spouses

Washington County Court of Common Pleas
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Visit the Domestic Relations Court website

Juvenile Court

Custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity for unmarried parents

Washington County Juvenile Court
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Court divisions, filing fees, and local requirements can change. Confirm the correct court, current fees, and required forms with the Washington County Clerk of Courts before you file.

Why Washington County is different

Bring exact cash for the parenting class

The court-ordered parenting-education class is 'Successful Co-Parenting,' run by OSU Extension–Washington County. It meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta, costs $30 in exact cash, and requires pre-registration at (740) 376-7431. File your certificate before the final hearing. (Washington County Court of Common Pleas / OSU Extension)

Know the fee for each motion

Plan for the $350 DR filing deposit, $200 for most post-decree change-of-custody, support, or visitation motions, $35 for a counter-motion, and $125 for a new Complaint for Visitation. There is no deposit for motions brought by the CSEA. Confirm any amount with the Clerk's Legal Division before filing. (Washington County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division)

No posted DVCPO packet — ask the Clerk

Washington County does not post a protection-order packet online. Under Local Rule 26 the Clerk hands out the Ohio Supreme Court DVCPO forms on request, there is no filing fee (R.C. 3113.31(J)), the ex parte order is heard the same day, and the full hearing follows within 7–10 days. (Washington County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division)

Free local resources in Washington County

  • Washington County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division — Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (740) 373-6623, ext. 2503 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM), or visit https://washingtongov.org/269/Common-Pleas-Court---General-Division before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
  • Washington County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) — Washington County's IV-D agency, (740) 373-9324 (4th floor), opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
  • "Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension — The court-approved parenting-education class for parents with minor children, run by OSU Extension–Washington County. Meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta; $30 in exact cash; pre-register at (740) 376-7431. File the certificate before the final hearing.

Frequently asked questions

Does Gavvl Law serve Washington County, Ohio?

Yes. Gavvl Law represents families across all 88 Ohio counties, including Washington County and Marietta. We handle divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law matters for Washington County residents.

Which Washington County court handles my family law case?

Washington County uses different courts for different family matters. Married spouses file for divorce, dissolution, or legal separation at Washington County Court of Common Pleas. Unmarried parents handle custody, parenting time, and child support at Washington County Juvenile Court. Filing in the wrong court can delay your case, so confirm where your matter belongs with the Washington County Clerk of Courts before you start.

How much does it cost to file a family law case in Washington County?

Court filing fees in Washington County are deposits that vary by case type. These deposits can change and do not include attorney fees. Confirm the current schedule with the Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County's current requirement and approved providers with the Clerk of Courts.

Can I file Washington 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 Washington County Clerk of Courts website for the current options before you prepare your documents.

How long does a divorce or dissolution take in Washington 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. Washington County's docket affects timing, so ask about current wait times at your consultation.

What family law services does Gavvl Law offer in Washington County?

Gavvl Law offers divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, shared parenting, child support, paternity, post-decree modifications, and more for Washington County families. Choose a service below to see the local process and forms.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.