Claire ThompsonA friend recently confided that her marriage was coming to an end. She felt anxious about both the legal and emotional complexities involved. From navigating property division and custody arrangements to managing the strain of difficult conversations, the process ahead seemed daunting.
When she asked whether I knew any reliable divorce lawyers in Columbus, I immediately reached out to colleagues and contacts for trustworthy recommendations. I wanted to ensure she had professional and supportive options.
If you’re in a similar situation and looking for guidance on how to move forward with a clean break, here are the top lawyers we considered.
How much do divorce lawyers charge in Columbus?
Divorce lawyers in Columbus typically charge between $200 and $400 per hour, with retainers from $2,000 to $10,000 upfront. This depends on the case complexity (contested vs. uncontested), the level of conflict (custody or assets), and the billing type (hourly vs. flat fee).
1. Hoffman Law
Address: 338 S High St #4546
Contact Details:
- +1 614 222 0526
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Business Hours: Open 24/7
Hoffman Law is a Columbus trial law firm that has handled divorce and family law cases there since 1984. Their main attorney is Eric J. Hoffman, an Ohio Supreme Court-licensed trial attorney. He works with Jordan D. Hoffman and other lawyers and associates.
Unlike some firms that only settle quickly, they describe themselves as trial attorneys who are ready to go to court when needed.
We believe this makes them highly reliable, especially in complex cases. This includes contested and uncontested divorces, child custody and visitation, and the division of property and debt.
While they don’t list specific rates online, the team says they keep fees reasonable. They are around the middle range in the city—not the cheapest but not the most expensive either.
The firm also charges by the hour rather than a flat fee. This already covers all legal work, court hearings or mediations, negotiations with the other side’s lawyer, and related tasks.
But because they are not a high-volume, low-cost divorce firm, they are not set up to handle simultaneous divorces at very low hourly rates. If your case is straightforward or finances are tight, we believe a flat-fee option may be worth considering first.
Nonetheless, we value that their staff are available 24/7 to handle family legal matters in the Columbus area and surrounding counties.
Professional, efficient, and very clear in every stage
“I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent work provided by Jordan Hoffman during my divorce process. He was professional, efficient, and very clear at every stage. The process was handled quickly and all timelines were met, which gave me peace of mind during a difficult time. I highly recommend Jordan Hoffman for his professionalism, punctuality and commitment to his clients.”
– Patty, Google Review
Unmatched attention to detail
“Jordan provided outstanding client representation in a very financially complicated divorce settlement. His attention to detail is unmatched and I would not hesitate to refer in the future.”
– Keith Krzeminski, Google Review
2. Petroff Law Offices, LLC
Address: 140 E Town St #1070
Contact Details:
- +1 614 222 4288
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Petroff Law Offices is a statewide domestic relations and family law firm. Since they handle divorce cases across Ohio, including outside Columbus, we believe they already have extensive experience with various counties and judges.
They have been in practice since 2007, and their managing partner, Ronald Petroff, has been a lawyer for much longer. He’s licensed in all Ohio state and federal courts, and has been voted as one of the 10 best family lawyers under the age of 40 in Ohio for 2015 and 2015.
This background is unsurprising, given that the lawyers here are highly skilled in high-conflict, high-asset divorces and appeals.
Additionally, many find it helpful that Petroff Law Offices specializes in LGBTQIA and military divorces. They even take care of grandparents’ rights, especially in abuse or neglect cases.
As for the rates, the company is in the middle-to-upper range. Still, a former client we spoke with noted that the fees are fair, given the team’s experience.
Yet, there are times when the lawyers or associates weren’t able to answer calls or emails quickly. This led to a brief delay for some cases.
Guided me with clarity and care
“I had an amazing experience with Petroff Law Offices. They guided me through my divorce with clarity and care. Truly grateful for their support during a difficult time. Thanks!”
– Brittanie Hambrick, Google Review
I like their efficiency and no-nonsense approach
“I just concluded a long, complicated divorce using the services of Ron Petroff and Jefferson Yates. They navigated all the twists and turns of this process with expertise. The thing I like most about this firm is their efficiency and no-nonsense approach. I highly recommend.”
– Mark Lockwood, Google Review
3. Panico Law Group
Address: 155 W Main St STE 100A
Contact Details: +1 614 326 4074
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Panico Law Group has been a Columbus-based family law firm since 1994. They describe their work as practical yet realistic—not the type to make false promises.
The firm focuses on both simple and complicated divorces and related family issues. You can also rely on them for tough child custody fights, establishing or changing child or spousal support, and other tricky cases.
Backing this up is a small team of attorneys headed by Paul R. Panico, a family law attorney with 30 years of expertise. He’s a divorced father himself, so we reckon he truly understands the emotional challenge of family law matters.
If you are exploring their services, you will find their pricing in the mid- to high-range in the city. The team typically charges by the hour, but please note that they require an upfront deposit, which will be applied as they work on the case.
The only thing we are iffy about is the post-divorce support here. Someone we interviewed shared that once her case was over, it was harder to get quick help for enforcing child support.
Consistent communication and compassion
“Kim was compassionate and quickly responded. Communication is key for me and ,the communication was consistent. Paul was very informative and seems very educated in divorce , strongly recommended!”
– Shenna Perez, Google Review
Very understanding and supportive throughout
“I’m so glad I hired Panico Law Group to handle my complex case. The staff was very understanding and supportive throughout the entire process. They were easy to talk to, answered my questions in a way I could understand, and made me feel comfortable during a very difficult time in my life. Because of Paul’s knowledge and experience, I got the outcome I wanted. The people there were always friendly and compassionate. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who is going through a divorce or custody case. They truly are the best!”
– Jessica Star, Google Review
4. Joslyn Law Firm
Address: 35 E Gay St #507
Contact Details: +1 614 420 2424
Business Hours: Open 24 hours
Joslyn Law Firm started in 2011 as a criminal defense and DUI/OVI (Driving Under the Influence/Operating a Vehicle Impaired) firm. They later added divorce and family law, especially for clients who also have criminal or domestic violence issues.
We are in awe of their founder, Brian Joslyn, who’s an award-winning lead attorney. He’s among the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2014.
Conveniently, Joslyn Law Firm can engage investigators or former police officers for complex cases. For us, this gives them an edge in contested custody and financial disputes.
Compared to other law firms, some people say their pricing is middle to above average in the city. This already includes everything, from initial consultation to finalizing agreements.
A few even raved to us about how strong and valuable the team is, citing their courtroom experience.
Yet there are instances when staff weren’t able to provide proper notice of a meetup cancellation. While this could be a one-off event, we feel the team should improve its communication.
Knowledgeable, trustworthy, and determined
“Todd Parker is a phenomenal attorney. Todd has helped me with my divorce/custody battle since 2020. He cares about his clients. He is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and determined.”
– Jocelyn Aguilar, Google Review
Talented litigator and competent in the courtroom
“My background is forensic accounting and business valuation. I recently had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Springer on a divorce case that we were jointly retain on. I would highly recommend Jennifer to any of my clients. She is a talented litigator that is comfortable and competent in the court room. Few attorneys position that type of unique background and skill set. Her compassion, responsiveness, and attention to detail were what you would expect at a top firm. I would strongly recommend the Joslyn Law Firm.”
– Tom Theurkauf, Google Review
5. Barr, Jones & Associates LLP
Address: 150 E Mound St #200
Contact Details: +1 614 702 2222
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Barr, Jones & Associates LLP is a one-stop shop for legal matters, including bankruptcy, criminal defense, custody, and divorce.
They have 5 Ohio offices, providing strong statewide coverage. The Columbus office has been in operation since 2014.
Some key attorneys are Jason Barr, Alex Petraglia, Nadia Khan, and Scott Martin—all of whom make an effective, multi-service firm. So if your divorce is mixed with debt, criminal charges, or eviction, we reckon they can manage your needs all in one firm.
Moreover, it adds credibility that the company has been ranked among the top family law practices by Columbus CEO Magazine and Columbus Business First.
Regarding the fees, many would consider them mid-range. Not only that, but we also love that the staff offers payment plans so you can spread costs over time—no need to pay everything upfront.
Just one thing, though. A client mentioned that it took months to receive documents or updates, which has caused him some confusion and delays.
Excellent, experienced, and compassionate
“I highly recommend Scott Martin and Barr, Jones and Associates! Scott is an excellent, experienced and compassionate divorce attorney and made me feel comfortable, valued and supported through a long and emotional divorce and custody journey. Scott and his team provided timely and detailed updates every step of the way and were a delight to work with!”
– Irina Reed, Google Review
Everyone was receptive and helpful
“I would give 10 stars if I could. Going through a divorce, I was as down and lost as I’ve ever been. Chelsea and her team were knowledgeable, supportive and friendly. Everyone I encountered within in this group was receptive and helpful. They also helped me settle for much more than I expected. Couldn’t recommend more!”
– Brian Cogswell, Google Review
