Washington County Divorce Attorneys

Hire Gavvl for your Washington County divorce case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Washington 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.

Choose Gavvl Law for your Washington County divorce

In Washington County there is no separate divorce court — your case is heard by the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas in Marietta, with Magistrate Laura Silwani handling many domestic matters. The details matter: the $350 deposit (some older packets still print $330), a no-children divorce packet you have to pick up in person because it isn't posted online, and a $750 charge if you must serve by publication. Gavvl Law puts together the right packet and moves the case forward — flat fee for straightforward divorces, full representation when it's contested.

• The right packet, even the one the county won't post. Washington posts its divorce-with-children packet online but makes you pick up the no-children packet in person at the Clerk's Legal Division. We know which forms and local affidavits belong in each version, so you're not making a second trip to 205 Putnam Street to fix a packet the county never published.
• Successful Co-Parenting, scheduled and tracked. With minor children, each parent completes the OSU Extension "Successful Co-Parenting" class — second Monday of the month, $30 in exact cash, pre-registered at (740) 376-7431 — and files the certificate before the final hearing. We build that once-a-month schedule into your timeline so the class never delays your decree.
• Service and Policy 3A parenting time handled. If your spouse can't be found, publication runs $750, or posting may be allowed if you qualify as indigent. And any decree with children needs a Policy 3A schedule, local or long-distance depending on the 150-mile line. We handle the service route and the schedule so both are done correctly the first time.

We appear before the Washington County General Division in Marietta routinely, so its $350 deposit quirks, the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503, and Magistrate Silwani's practices are familiar territory when we file your case.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we draft and file the correct complaint packet for your situation; you appear at any hearings yourself.

• Complaint for Divorce: $1,250
• With temporary orders: $1,750
• With minor children: $1,750
• With children + temporary orders: $2,000

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, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your divorce case or see payment plans & financing.

Where to File: Washington County Court of Common Pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

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

Divorce is the right path if…

• You and your spouse don't agree on everything (custody, parenting time, property, debt, or support).
• Your spouse won't sign paperwork, won't communicate, or can't be located.
• You need court orders — temporary or final — your spouse won't agree to.
• You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing.

If you and your spouse already agree on everything in writing, a dissolution is usually faster and lower-conflict. Compare dissolution.

Filing Fees

$350 DR deposit (some packets print $330 — confirm with the Clerk) · service by publication $750 · Poverty Affidavit available · post-decree motions $200 each · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503

Forms & Filing Packets

How to File Divorce in Washington County

1. Confirm Ohio residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing for divorce.
2. Prepare the complaint and affidavits. Use the local divorce packet (with-children packet online; no-children packet picked up at the Clerk) plus the Affidavit of Income & Expenses and Affidavit of Property & Debt. With children, add the health-insurance affidavit, the UCCJEA affidavit, the support worksheet, a parenting plan, and a IV-D application.
3. File on paper with the $350 deposit. File at the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, 205 Putnam St., Marietta, (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503, and confirm whether the current deposit is $350 or $330.
4. Serve your spouse. Arrange service; if your spouse can't be found, the court allows service by publication ($750) or, for qualifying indigent filers with an unknown address, posting for six weeks.
5. Complete Successful Co-Parenting (if children). Both parents complete the OSU Extension class (second Monday monthly, $30 cash, pre-register (740) 376-7431) and file the certificate before the final hearing.
6. Resolve or try the case. No answer can lead to an uncontested hearing; otherwise the case proceeds through disclosure, possible mediation, a pretrial, and trial, ending in the decree.

Washington County Practice Notes

• DR filing deposit is $350 (some packets still print $330). Washington County's Domestic Relations filing deposit is $350. A few older packets still show $330, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503 before filing. Service by publication adds $750, and a Poverty Affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) is available if you can't afford the deposit.
• No separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas — there is no separate DR division. Two general-division judges preside, Hon. Nicole Coil (Courtroom A) and Hon. John M. Halliday (Courtroom B), and Domestic Relations Magistrate Laura Silwani (ext. 2303) hears many domestic matters. File through the Clerk's Legal Division at 205 Putnam St., Marietta.
• Service when a spouse can't be found. If your spouse can't be located, service by publication takes a $750 deposit. If you qualify for in-forma-pauperis treatment and the other party's address is unknown, the court may allow service by posting for six weeks instead (Local Rule 11 / Policy 1 §1.06). Confirm the current procedure with the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503.
• "Successful Co-Parenting" is required with minor children. Each parent in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody case with minor children completes "Successful Co-Parenting" through OSU Extension–Washington County and files the certificate before the final hearing. The class meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta; the fee is $30 in exact cash; pre-register at (740) 376-7431.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Washington County?

The Domestic Relations filing deposit is $350, paid to the Clerk of Courts when you file. Some older Washington County packets still print a $330 figure, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503 before filing. Service by publication adds $750, and a Poverty Affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) is available if you can't afford the deposit. Post-decree motions to change custody, modify support, or modify visitation are $200 each.

Does Washington County have a separate Domestic Relations court?

No. Washington County has no separate Domestic Relations division. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are all heard by the General Division of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, filed through the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, at 205 Putnam St., Marietta. Two general-division judges — Hon. Nicole Coil (Courtroom A) and Hon. John M. Halliday (Courtroom B) — preside, and Domestic Relations Magistrate Laura Silwani (ext. 2303) hears many domestic matters.

My spouse can't be found — how does service by publication work in Washington County?

If your spouse can't be located, the court allows service by publication in a divorce, legal-separation, or annulment case; the deposit for publication is $750. If you can't afford publication and the other party's address is unknown, the court may instead allow service by posting for six weeks (Local Rule 11 / Policy 1 §1.06) when you qualify for in-forma-pauperis treatment. Confirm the current procedure and deposit with the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503.

What parenting class is required in Washington County, and what does it cost?

Washington County uses "Successful Co-Parenting," run by OSU Extension–Washington County. The class meets the second Monday of each month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta, costs $30 in exact cash, and requires pre-registration at (740) 376-7431. Parents in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody case with minor children complete it and file the certificate before the final hearing. Confirm the current schedule and fee when you register.

What is the standard parenting-time schedule in Washington County?

For orders entered on or after May 1, 2015, Washington County uses Parenting Time Policy 3A, which has a Local schedule (parents within 150 miles of each other) and a Long-Distance schedule (more than 150 miles apart). The Local schedule gives the non-residential parent alternate weekends Friday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 8:00 p.m. plus Tuesday and Thursday evenings 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., with holidays and summer time added. A parent who plans to relocate must give written notice within 7 days and file a Notice of Intent to Relocate. Older orders may still follow the travel-time-based Policy 3.

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.

Other Family-Law Topics in Washington County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Washington County custody attorney for help with your case.

Related to your divorce case

• Divorce & Dissolution — End your marriage through a contested divorce or an amicable dissolution.
• 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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on divorce 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.

Keep exploring Washington County family law

• Ohio Divorce guide — Statewide overview of divorce in Ohio.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
• Washington County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Washington 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.

Understand the cost

• Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio — How the two paths compare on agreement, timeline, and cost.
• Ohio Divorce Cost & Timeline by Path — Compare cost and timeline across every path to ending a marriage.
• Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce in Ohio — What each path means for your timeline and total cost.