Domestic Relations
The Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Domestic Relations Division has jurisdiction over cases involving dissolution, divorce, legal separations, spousal support, and allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. It also has jurisdiction over protection orders.
The Domestic Relations Court contains the office of Magistrate Stephanie Jess.
Domestic Relations Forms
These forms are available for your convenience, and can be utilized if you are not represented by an attorney. The Ottawa County Common Pleas Court recognizes that legal matters can be complicated and may be best handled by an attorney. The Court offers a Legal Clinic that can also assist with forms.
Some of these forms can be completed online and printed or they can be printed and completed manually. You are responsible for reading all instructions for these forms. The forms do not include legal advice regarding your rights, responsibilities, and legal options. Paper copies of these forms can also be obtained at the Clerk of Courts, located at 315 Madison Street, Room 106 B, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452.
Before filing, please review the Checklist for Filing for Divorce and Dissolution. All cases also require a Case Designation Form to be filed. If you have children, you will likely be expected to complete a parenting class.
Dissolution:
A dissolution is an “uncontested” way to end your marriage. For a dissolution, you and your spouse need to agree on everything before you file. You will both need to appear in person for a hearing and the process takes between 30 and 90 days. The filing fee for a dissolution is $500.00.
Divorce:
A divorce is the most common way to end a marriage, and you do not need to agree on everything before you file. If you file for divorce, a Judge will make decisions about disputes. Divorce can be a long process and take 6 months to a year, or longer if there are children. The number of hearings in your divorce will depend on how many issues you and your spouse cannot agree on and how long it takes you to come to agreement. The filing fee for a divorce is $500.00.
Legal Separation:
Legal separation does not legally end your marriage. It just allows you and your spouse to put legal agreements in place about how you will handle no longer living together. Some people choose legal separation because they don’t want to divorce for religious or other reasons. The filing fee for a Legal Separation is $500.00.
Other Common Forms:
Response Forms:
- Answer to Complaint for Divorce Without Children
- Answer to Compliant for Divorce with Children
- Counterclaim for Divorce without Children
- Counterclaim for Divorce with Children
Forms to Reopen a Case:
The filing fee to reopen a case is $300.00. All fines, fees, and costs must be paid in full prior to reopening any case.
- Motion for Contempt, Affidavit, and Instructions for Service
- Show Cause Order and Notice
- Motion for Change of Parenting Time
- Motion for Change of Rights and Responsibilities
- Motion for Change of Child Support, Medical Support, Tax Exemption or Other Child-Related Expenses
- Request for Service
- Waiver of Service
All Forms Included in Packets:
- Affidavit of Income and Expenses
- Affidavit of Property
- Parenting Proceeding Affidavit
- Health Insurance Affidavit
- Motion and Affidavit or Counter Affidavit for Temporary Orders Without Oral Hearing
- Complaint for Divorce Without Children
- Compliant for Divorce With Children
- Final Judgment for Divorce Without Children
- Final Judgement for Divorce With Children
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Waiver of Service of Summons
- Judgement Entry of Dissolution of Marriage
- Separation Agreement
- Shared Parenting Plan
- Parenting Plan
- Request for Service
Ottawa County Standard Forms:
- Mandatory Statutory Notices (DR-9)
- Mutual Restraining Order (DR-8)
- Standard Child Support Orders (DR-7)
- Standard Child Support Orders with a Deviation (DR-7.1)
- Standard Health Care Orders for Minor Child (DR-6)
- Payment of Uncovered Healthcare Expenses for Minor Child (DR-5)
- Companionship Schedule for Long Distance (DR-4)
- Companionship Schedule (DR-3)
- Affidavit of General Information, Income, Monthly Expenses, and Financial Disclosure (DR-2)
- Information for Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (DR-1)
Mediation Forms
The Court may be able to offer mediation at no cost. You can also inquire about mediation at any of your hearings.
Additional Forms
Additional Domestic Relations and Protection Order forms are available here: