Wood County Family Law Guide
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Gavvl Law helps Wood County, Ohio families with divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and more. Find the right Wood 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 Wood County
Parents & Children
- Custody
Domestic Relations or Juvenile Court Never-married custody in Juvenile Court: $150 civil filing fee, $50 per subsequent motion
Best for: You need a court order setting who the children live with and how parenting time and decision-making are divided.
View guide
The Wood County family-law guide
Verified June 25, 2026
Download our free Wood 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 Wood County family-law guide (PDF)
Talk to a Wood County family-law attorney
Sources we checked
- Wood County base-hub FAQ filing-fees (DR Division & Juvenile fees; free DV CPO; Clerk (419) 354-9280)
- Wood County base-hub FAQ parenting-class-wood (Up To Parents; Changing Families; Local Rule 6.01)
- Wood County base-hub FAQ dr-vs-juvenile-wood (where to file married vs. never-married)
What we confirmed for 2026
- 2026-06-25: Verified Wood County Domestic Relations Division deposits ($350 divorce/legal separation; $300 dissolution; $200 reopened; $150 counterclaim; $75 QDRO) and the Juvenile $150 civil filing fee (plus $50 per subsequent motion) against the base-hub FAQs. Confirmed the petitioner pays no fee for a DV civil protection order. Recorded the free online 'Up To Parents' seminar (Local Rule 6.01, within 30 days) and noted that the children's 'Changing Families' program is currently canceled.
Wood County family-law courts
Domestic Relations Court
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and spousal support for married spouses
Wood County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division
1 Courthouse Sq, Bowling Green, OH 43402
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Phone: (419) 354-9280
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 Wood County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Why Wood County is different
Up To Parents is free and online
Wood County requires parents in divorce and custody cases with minor children (Local Rule 6.01) to complete the free online 'Up To Parents' seminar (uptoparents.org) within 30 days of filing and before the final hearing, then file the Certificate of Completion with the Clerk. (Wood County base-hub FAQ parenting-class-wood)
Children's class is currently canceled
The children's 'Changing Families' program is canceled until further notice; children under 9 may use the Sesame Street divorce toolkit in the meantime. Confirm the current requirement with the Clerk at (419) 354-9280. (Wood County base-hub FAQ parenting-class-wood)
No fee to file a protection order
There is no filing fee charged to the petitioner for a domestic violence civil protection order. If you can't afford a divorce or custody deposit, an Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E). (Wood County base-hub FAQ filing-fees)
Court filing fees in Wood County
Domestic Relations Court
- Divorce or legal separation deposit: $350
- Dissolution filing deposit: $300
- Reopened (post-decree) case: $200
- Counterclaim: $150
- QDRO: $75
- Domestic violence civil protection order: Free — No filing fee is charged to the petitioner.
Juvenile Court
- Juvenile custody, paternity, visitation, support or contempt: $150 — Civil filing fee, plus $50 for each subsequent motion.
These are court deposits and can change. Confirm current amounts with the Wood County Clerk of Courts before you file.
Parent education in Wood County
- Up To Parents — Free · Online · Required
Required under Local Rule 6.01 in divorce and custody cases with minor children. Complete the free online seminar within 30 days of filing and before the final hearing, then file the Certificate of Completion with the Clerk.
Class details - Changing Families
The county's children's program is currently canceled until further notice. Children under 9 may use the Sesame Street divorce toolkit in the meantime. Confirm the current requirement with the Clerk at (419) 354-9280.
Free local resources in Wood County
- Wood County Clerk of Courts — Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (419) 354-9280 or visit https://courtofcommonpleas.woodcountyohio.gov/35/Domestic-Relations-Court before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
- Wood County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) — Wood 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 Wood County, Ohio?
Yes. Gavvl Law represents families across all 88 Ohio counties, including Wood County and Bowling Green. We handle divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and other family law matters for Wood County residents.
Which Wood County court handles my family law case?
Most Wood County family law cases are heard at Wood 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 Wood County Clerk of Courts before you start.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Wood County?
Court filing fees in Wood County are deposits that vary by case type — for example, the deposit for Divorce or legal separation deposit is about $350. These deposits can change and do not include attorney fees. Confirm the current schedule with the Wood 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 Wood County?
Yes. Wood County requires parents in divorce, dissolution, and most custody cases to complete a parenting class — Up To Parents (Free). Required under Local Rule 6.01 in divorce and custody cases with minor children. Complete the free online seminar within 30 days of filing and before the final hearing, then file the Certificate of Completion with the Clerk.
Can I file Wood 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 Wood County Clerk of Courts website for the current options before you prepare your documents.
How long does a divorce or dissolution take in Wood 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. Wood County's docket affects timing, so ask about current wait times at your consultation.
What family law services does Gavvl Law offer in Wood County?
Gavvl Law offers divorce, dissolution, legal separation, custody, shared parenting, child support, paternity, post-decree modifications, and more for Wood County families. Choose a service below to see the local process and forms.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
