Filing for Dissolution in Brown County, Ohio

Hire a Brown County dissolution attorney at a flat fee

Skip the hourly-billing guesswork. Our Ohio family-law team handles dissolution for Brown County families at a transparent flat fee — you approve the price before we start, with payment plans and full representation available when a case needs it. Everything local — the court in Georgetown, required forms, and Brown County fee details — is laid out on this page.

• One flat fee, agreed up front. You approve the flat fee before any work starts — no hourly meter, and no surprise invoices later.
• Payments that fit your budget. Flexible payment plans and financing are available, so cost doesn't have to delay getting help.
• Why Brown County families choose us. A flat fee keeps us focused on finishing your dissolution case, not billing more hours. Our licensed Ohio attorneys handle matters across Brown County and the whole state.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we prepare your full dissolution petition and separation agreement for an agreed, no-court split.

• Dissolution: $1,750
• Dissolution with children: $2,300

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your dissolution case or see payment plans & financing.

Brown County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121 • (937) 378-3233 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Filing fee: $250–$275. Fee waiver available.

Important things to know about Brown County

• Local Rule 31 requires each party to file a sworn Property and Financial Statement with supporting documents (pay stubs, tax returns, appraisals, account statements) along with the Petition.
• If your parenting plan doesn't include a specific schedule, the Local Rule 31.6 default applies — alternate weekends, midweek visits, a detailed holiday rotation (including the Brown County Fair), and up to 4 weeks of summer.
• $25 home investigation fee applies when minor children are involved.
• 'Helping Children Cope with Family Separation' parenting program is required BEFORE the final hearing will even be scheduled — the court rarely grants waivers.
• No cell phones, knives, scissors, box cutters, or aerosol cans allowed in the building. No electronic recording devices. Avoid steel-toed boots and heavy zippers/jewelry to speed through security.
• Do NOT park directly behind the courthouse — those spots are reserved for probation and police.

Required forms (all cases)

• Instructions for Filing a Dissolution (Brown County) — The court's step-by-step packet — read first.
• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Waiver of Service (Brown County Form 14) — Joint petition. Built-in waiver of service in Paragraph 7.
• Separation Agreement (Brown County Form 16) — Both spouses sign. Spells out property, debt, and support terms.
• Property Waiver (Brown County local) — Brown-specific form — complete and file with the rest.
• Sworn Property and Financial Statement (Local Rule 31) — Itemized list of assets, debts, marital vs non-marital, with supporting documents attached.
• 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 — Final order — prepare in advance for the Judge's signature.

Additional forms with minor children

• Shared Parenting Plan (Brown County Form 17) — Use if both parents share legal custody.
• Parenting Plan (Brown County Form 18) — sole custody — Use if one parent will be the residential parent.
• 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.
• Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Required even if parents agree to a different amount.

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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on dissolution, divorce, and related Ohio family law topics.

• Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio: Which Path Is Right for You? — Divorce and dissolution both end an Ohio marriage, but they work very differently. Dissolution is a no-fault, agreed process; divorce is a lawsuit for couples who can't agree. Here's how to choose.
• How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Ohio? — The cost of an Ohio divorce ranges widely depending on conflict and complexity. Here's what drives the price — court fees, attorney fees, experts — and how to keep it manageable.
• How Long Does a Divorce Take in Ohio? — There is no single answer to how long an Ohio divorce takes — an agreed dissolution can finish in a couple of months, while a contested divorce may run a year or more. Here's what drives the timeline.
• Dividing Property in an Ohio Divorce — Ohio divides marital property equitably — meaning fairly, not always equally. The first step is classifying every asset and debt. Here's how the process works.

Understand the cost

• Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio — How the two paths compare on agreement, timeline, and cost.
• Ohio Divorce Cost & Timeline by Path — Compare cost and timeline across every path to ending a marriage.