Domestic Relations Division

Domestic Relations Division
Athens County Common Pleas Court 

The Domestic Relations Court is closed 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. for lunch. 

Supreme Court Approved Standardized Forms

Effective July 1, 2013, The Ohio Supreme Court has approved and created standardized forms concerning divorces, dissolutions, motions for change in the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities (custody and visitation) and child support, and parenting plans. Included below is the link to the forms on the Supreme Court website (both PDF and Word) that can be completed online or printed out for completion by hand:

Link to Domestic Relations and Juvenile Standardized Forms

Link to Domestic Violence Protection Order Forms Below are a list advocates available to assist victims in filing for a Civil Protection Order. Please contact an advocate to assist you with your filing.  Athens County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocate: Crystal Allen (740) 593-6633 Athens County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Victim Advocate: Alli Purcell (740) 592-3208 Athens City Police Department Victim Advocate: Molly Burchfield (740) 592-3315 My Sister's Place Victim Advocate: Becky Fulks (740) 594-8337 Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program: (740) 591-4266 * An advocate is not required for filing, but they are very helpful to assist you with the process in your time of need.

 
TROUBLE SHOOTING PDF FORMS

FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FREE IN THE COURTHOUSE LAW LIBRARY 
Librarian: Diane JayJohn
Location: 1 South Court Street, 4th Floor, Athens, Ohio 45701
Telephone Number: (740) 593-8893
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
**The Law Librarian is only available Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 am. to 2:00 p.m. to assist the public.** 

WEATHER RELATED CLOSINGS OR DELAYS:

The Athens County Commissioners established the following weather related policy concerning snow related closings. The Athens Common Pleas Court and Domestic Relations Court follow that policy which is:

Level 3 -  All County Offices will be closed.

Level 2 - declared before 6:30 a.m. - County offices will open at 10:00 a.m. Employees are expected to report at that time unless otherwise instructed by their Supervisor or Appointing Authority.  Update at 8:30 a.m. if conditions merit further delay or closing.

Level 2 - declared after 6:30 a.m.  - County offices will open at the usual time.  Employees need to use care and travel according to their abilities and road conditions.

Level 1 – Normal Operations. Employees need to use care and travel according to their abilities and road conditions.

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If you are scheduled to be in court on a day when the weather makes traveling difficult, you may contact your attorney to seek guidance on whether your court hearing has been rescheduled or your hearing start time has been delayed.  If you are not represented by an attorney you may contact the court to see if your case has been delayed or rescheduled by calling the court at (740) 592-3240.

SOUTHEASTERN OHIO LEGAL SERVICES Family Law Issues and Court Forms Legal Clinic Calendar Athens County Bar Association Free Legal Advice Clinic Place: Recovery Connections, 17 Blue Line Dr., Athens, OH 45701 2nd Tuesday Every Month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sign-up is from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2026 Clinic Dates:  January 8, February 12, Mach 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9,  August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10 Important Information to get Free Legal Help: You must have a gross household income at/below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.  Attorneys will only answer questions. They will not attend court with you.  Please be prepared to show proof of immigration status (if a non-citizen) If you have upcoming court deadlines, contact Legal Aid Intake at 888-246-4420

ATHENS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS You may now pay your court costs and file online via the Clerk of Court's website. Click on the CourtView link below to view your case and pay online. You may also eFile within your case. To use the eFiling system please register within the website.   Link to COURTVIEW

OHIO PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE Link to Affidavit of Indigency (Use this link to access the required form to be filed to apply for a court appointed attorney if a contempt action has been filed against you.)

FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS  Resources A Guide to Self Representation

MAGISTRATE'S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Generally

The Domestic Relations Division is a part of the Athens Common Pleas Court. Magistrate Melinda Bradford has been on the bench since May 1, 2008.  Magistrate Merry Saunders has been on the bench since May 21, 2025. The Court is located on the 4th floor of the Athens County Courthouse, 1 S. Court Street, Athens, OH 45701.  The Courthouse sits on the corner of Court Street and Washington Street.  In addition to on street parking there is a parking garage located on East Washington Street. Please check-in for all court hearings at the kiosk located in the waiting area. 

Duties

Generally, the duties of the the Magistrate includes the overseeing & disposition of cases involving parties who are married involving issues surrounding Family Law which includes dissolutions, divorces, child custody, child support matters and contempt issues involving such cases.

The Magistrate sets guidelines for the attorneys to follow so that information may be exchanged between the parties and motions may be filed if necessary.  This helps the attorneys prepare for their respective cases as well as informs the opposing side the facts that support their position. This may lead to a settlement and resolution to the case. If the parties cannot reach a resolution then the case may be scheduled for hearing (trial).  At a hearing the Magistrate hears the case and acts as the factfinder and gatekeeper of the evidence.   There are no jury trials in Domestic Relations Court.  The Magistrate hears and makes recommended decisions to the judges based upon the evidence.  

Common Proceedings

The following are some examples of proceedings in Domestic Relations Court.

Temporary Orders Hearing - Upon filing a divorce action, a party may request this type of hearing to address issues of housing, spousal support, and child custody and visitation among other things.  These orders are temporary in nature and subject to change as the case progresses.  

Pre-Trial - A pre-trial hearing is where the parties and their respective attorney meet with the Magistrate to discuss issues in the case, the status of discovery, the need for appraisals and/or valuations, the need for a guardian-ad-litem to be appointed and the status of settlement negotiations. 

Status Conference - The Magistrate may meet with the attorneys for an update. 

Hearing - Sometimes referred to as a trial, a hearing  refers to the process where witnesses give testimony and evidence is submitted under oath to the Magistrate for consideration and decision. 

Additional Matters

The Magistrate also hears Petitions for Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders, and cases being re-opened to modify custody, parenting time, child support, etc. 

Filing Fees for Domestic Cases:

• Divorce/Dissolution with children: $375.00 without children $325.00
• Counterclaim/Cross claim with children: $375.00 without children $325.00
• Re-open case (Contempt): $175.00
• Re-open case (Parental Rights/Custody): $275.00
• Re-open Child Support: $125.00
• Complaint for parentage $375.00 complaint for support $375.00
• QUDRO/DOPO $125.00

Athens County Common Pleas Court - Domestic Relations Local Rules of Court - Counsel and litigants representing themselves are expected to be compliant with local rules in addition to the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.

Athens County Court of Common Please Local Rules
Last updated: January 20, 2026

Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure
Last updated: July 1, 2025