JCurtis Law
Cincinnati Divorce Lawyer for Hamilton County Families
Jennifer Curtis is a Cincinnati divorce lawyer who handles divorce, dissolution and custody cases in Hamilton County, and when you call, you reach Jennifer or her paralegal directly instead of a call center or a list of names.
Welcome to JCurtis Law
One Attorney and One Phone Number for Your Cincinnati Case
We represent families in Cincinnati, Blue Ash, Loveland and communities across Hamilton County from our office in West Chester. Whether your marriage is ending, you are trying to settle a parenting schedule, or an existing order no longer fits your life, you work with the same attorney from the first call to the final hearing.
Our clients often tell us they spent days calling firms before anyone called back. Here,
Jennifer and Katie answer your questions quickly, explain each legal term in plain language, and tell you honestly what to expect.
Where Family Cases Are Heard in Hamilton County
Most Hamilton County family cases go to the Hamilton County Domestic Relations Court at 800 Broadway in downtown Cincinnati. Which court hears your case depends on whether you and the other parent were ever married.
- Divorce, dissolution and legal separation are heard by the Domestic Relations Court.
- Spousal support is decided by the Domestic Relations Court as part of a divorce, dissolution or legal separation.
- Custody, parenting time and child support between parents who are or were married are heard by the Domestic Relations Court.
- Custody, parenting time and child support between parents who were never married go through the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.
Knowing which court your case belongs in from the first conversation keeps your filing on the right path and avoids delays.
What It Takes to File for Divorce in Ohio
Before a divorce or dissolution can be filed in Hamilton County, a few Ohio requirements have to be met. We confirm each one at your first meeting.
- The filing spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least six months before filing.
- A case is normally filed in the county where the filing spouse has lived for the past 90 days.
- In a dissolution, the final hearing takes place between 30 and 90 days after the petition is filed.
When spouses disagree on property, support or the children, a
contested divorce resolves those questions in court. When every term is already agreed, a
dissolution is often the faster and less expensive route, finished at a single hearing.
Child Custody Lawyer in Cincinnati, Focused on Your Child's Best Interest
Ohio courts decide custody and parenting time based on the child's best interest. Parents can ask the court to approve a shared parenting plan, or ask for one parent to be named residential parent and legal custodian.
As a child custody lawyer in Cincinnati, Jennifer builds your case around the facts that matter to the court and gives you an honest read on your options. Parents have come to us after other attorneys told them they had almost no chance, and gone on to regain full custody.
Ohio lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 174, which would replace the terms custody and visitation with parenting-plan language. It is pending legislation, not current law, and we keep clients informed if it changes how their case is handled.
Family Law Attorney in Cincinnati for Every Stage of a Case
Our family law practice covers each step a Hamilton County family may face, from the first filing to changes years after a decree.
Contested Divorce
When you and your spouse cannot agree, Jennifer prepares you for every hearing and stays firm in court while avoiding conflict that only adds to your cost and stress.
Dissolution of Marriage
When you agree on the terms, we draft the separation agreement and prepare you for the final hearing at the Domestic Relations Court.
Child Custody
We help parents pursue shared parenting or full custody, whether the case belongs in Domestic Relations or in the Juvenile Court.
Child Support
Ohio's guidelines set support, but income, health insurance and child care costs all shape the final number. We make sure the figures the court uses reflect your family's real situation.
Spousal Support
Spousal support depends on the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and other factors the court weighs. We help you understand a realistic range before you agree to anything.
Post-Decree Modifications
When jobs change, children grow or a parenting schedule stops working, we file motions to modify or enforce custody, parenting time and support orders.
A Hamilton County Divorce Attorney You Can Actually Reach
Working with a small firm means you are never handed off. Here is what Hamilton County clients can count on when they work with us.
- You work directly with Jennifer and her paralegal Katie, who brings more than 20 years of legal experience.
- Calls and emails get fast responses, often the same day.
- Every legal term and every step is explained in plain language before it happens.
- Jennifer is prepared and firm in the courtroom without creating conflict that serves no purpose.
- Clients who have moved out of state describe their custody and support cases being handled smoothly from a distance.
Jennifer earned her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law and is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association. Her own experience as a parent, including raising a child with special needs, shapes how she approaches every family she represents.
Cincinnati Family Law Questions
Where do I file for divorce in Cincinnati?
A divorce for a Hamilton County resident is filed with the Hamilton County Domestic Relations Court at 800 Broadway in downtown Cincinnati. The same court handles dissolutions, legal separations, and custody and support between married parents. You generally file in the county where you have lived for the past 90 days.
How long do you have to live in Ohio to get a divorce?
The spouse filing for divorce must have lived in Ohio for at least six months before filing. The case is normally filed in the county where that spouse has lived for the past 90 days. If you recently moved to Cincinnati from another county or state, we can confirm where your case belongs.
How is child custody decided in Hamilton County, Ohio?
Hamilton County courts follow Ohio law and decide custody and parenting time based on the child's best interest. The court can approve a shared parenting plan or name one parent the residential parent and legal custodian. Evidence about each parent's involvement, the child's needs and the stability of each home all matter.
Do unmarried parents go to juvenile court for custody in Cincinnati?
Yes. In Hamilton County, custody, parenting time and child support between parents who were never married are handled by the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Parents who are divorcing or were previously married handle these issues in the Domestic Relations Court.
Is there a family lawyer near Blue Ash, Ohio?
Yes. We represent families in Blue Ash, Loveland, Cincinnati and the rest of Hamilton County from our office in West Chester. You can meet with Jennifer in person or start the conversation by phone at (513) 663-5752.
Also Serving Butler and Warren Counties
Along with Hamilton County, we represent families in the courts of the two neighboring counties. Learn more about our work as a
Butler County family law attorney and a
Warren County family law attorney.
Testimonials
Ben G.
"When looking for a family lawyer in Cincinnati there will not be one better than Jennifer Curtis, Her professionalism, and most of all her availability are second to none."
Court S.
"From attorneys telling me I had no chance to Jennifer and Katie helping me regain full custody of my daughter. I recommend Jennifer Curtis 100%"
What Cincinnati Clients Say About Jennifer
Talk With a Cincinnati Divorce Lawyer Today
You deserve straight answers about your case from the attorney who will handle it. Call Jennifer to talk through your situation, or schedule a consultation at our office at 9078 Union Centre Boulevard, STE 350, West Chester, Ohio 45069.
