Filing for Dissolution in Athens County, Ohio

Athens County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

1 South Court Street, 4th Floor, Athens, OH 45701 • (740) 592-3240 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Filing fee: $325–$375. Fee waiver available.

Important things to know about Athens County

• All standard Ohio Supreme Court forms — no county-specific dissolution forms required.
• Pleadings must be e-filed through the county portal unless you're exempt or the document must be filed by hand.
• Free printed forms are available at the Athens County Law Library on the 4th floor of the courthouse (same floor as the court).
• Cases involving children trigger an instructional letter handed to both parents at filing.

Required forms (all cases)

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Waiver of Service (Form 17) — Joint petition signed by both spouses. Waives formal service.
• Separation Agreement (Form 19) — Spells out the property, debt, and support terms both spouses agreed to.
• Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Aff. 1) — Each spouse files one.
• Affidavit of Property and Debt (Aff. 2) — Each spouse files one.
• Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (Form 18) — Final court order ending the marriage. Submit with your packet.
• Affidavit of Indigency (if needed) — Optional fee-waiver request.

Additional forms with minor children

• Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Aff. 3) — 5-year address history for each child.
• Health Insurance Affidavit (Aff. 4) — Each parent's ability to insure the children.
• Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) — Use if you'll share legal custody. Both parents sign.
• Parenting Plan (Form 21) — sole custody — Pair with the Parenting Judgment Entry if one parent will be residential.
• Parenting Judgment Entry (Form 22) — Sole-custody order.
• Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Run numbers in the Ohio Child Support Calculator and attach the printed worksheet.

Related to your dissolution

• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.