Dissolution of Marriage in Carroll County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Carroll County, Ohio · Carrollton

A dissolution is a joint, no-fault way to end a marriage when both spouses agree on everything before filing — property, debts, support, and all parenting issues — and sign a Separation Agreement. The spouses file together as co-petitioners in Carroll County's General & Domestic Relations Division. The deposit is $350, the hearing is set 30–90 days after filing, and both spouses must appear. A dissolution is not a divorce and is not an "uncontested divorce."

How do I file for dissolution in Carroll County, Ohio?

Negotiate and sign a complete Separation Agreement (and, with children, a parenting plan and child-support worksheet), then file a joint Petition for Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 17) with the Separation Agreement (Form 19) and Carroll County's Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (category C with children, D without). Pay the $350 deposit. With minor children, include a child custody affidavit, a child-support worksheet, and an IV-D application, and complete the Successful Co-Parenting class. The hearing is held 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64); both spouses must appear and affirm the agreement, and the court incorporates it into the decree.

Ohio Divorce by the Numbers

6 months Ohio residency required before you can file Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
90 days Residency in the county of filing (venue) Source: Ohio Civ. R. 3
30–90 days Typical time to finalize an uncontested dissolution Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.64
1 year Living separate and apart that qualifies as no-fault grounds Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01

Compare Your Options for Ending a Marriage in Ohio

Path	Ends the marriage?	Agreement required?	Best when
Dissolution	Yes	Yes — on every term before filing	Both spouses agree on everything and want the fastest, lowest-cost path
Divorce (contested)	Yes	No	Spouses disagree on property, support, or parenting and need a judge to decide
Divorce (uncontested / default)	Yes	No	One spouse will not respond or cannot be located
Legal separation	No — you stay married	Optional	You need court orders but must stay married (religion, insurance, or benefits)
Annulment	Treated as never valid	No	The marriage was never legally valid (fraud, bigamy, underage, or incapacity)

Where to File: Carroll County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division

119 S. Lisbon St., Suite 401, Carrollton, OH 44615, Carrollton, OH 44615
Phone: (330) 627-4886
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Website: carrollcountyohio.us/agencies-and-departments/court
e-Filing: https://carrollcountyclerk.org/eservices

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Carroll County Probate & Juvenile Division
119 S. Lisbon St., Suite 202, Carrollton, OH 44615, Carrollton, OH 44615
Phone: (330) 627-2323
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on all terms — property, debt, support, and parenting.
You can both appear at a hearing to affirm the agreement.
You want a cooperative, no-fault path rather than an adversarial divorce.
At least one spouse has been an Ohio resident for 6 months.

If you can't agree on everything, a dissolution isn't available — you would file for divorce instead. Compare divorce vs. dissolution.

Filing Fees

$350 dissolution deposit (with or without children) · the same deposit covers a divorce or a dissolution in Carroll County — confirm with the Clerk at (330) 627-4886

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution packet (no minor children) — $350 deposit

File the joint petition with the signed Separation Agreement and the Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (category D).

Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (Carroll County) — Required county cover sheet filed with every new Domestic Relations case. You choose the filing category (A–K), list any open or closed cases involving the children, and flag whether the case is appropriate for mediation.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

Dissolution packet (with minor children) — $350 deposit

Add a parenting plan, the UCCJEA and health-insurance affidavits, and the child-support worksheet; file an IV-D application and complete the Successful Co-Parenting class.

Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (Carroll County) — Required county cover sheet filed with every new Domestic Relations case. You choose the filing category (A–K), list any open or closed cases involving the children, and flag whether the case is appropriate for mediation.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

How to File Dissolution in Carroll County

Reach a complete agreement. Negotiate and sign a full Separation Agreement (and, with children, a parenting plan and child-support worksheet) covering every issue.
Confirm residency. At least one spouse must meet Ohio's 6-month residency requirement.
File the joint petition and pay $350. File the Petition for Dissolution with the Separation Agreement and the Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (category C or D) with the Clerk of Courts, and pay the $350 deposit.
Finish requirements and attend the hearing. Complete the Successful Co-Parenting class and open the CSEA case if you have children, then both spouses appear at the hearing (30–90 days after filing) to affirm the agreement.

Carroll County Practice Notes

Full agreement required before filing. A dissolution requires a complete, signed Separation Agreement covering property, debt, support, and parenting before you file. If you can't agree on everything, a dissolution isn't available and you would file for divorce instead.
Both spouses must appear at the 30–90 day hearing. By statute the hearing is set not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear and affirm they still want the dissolution and agree to the terms; the court then incorporates the Separation Agreement into the decree.
Children add CSEA and class requirements. With minor children the filing must include a child custody affidavit, a Child Support Computation Worksheet, and an application for IV-D services with the CSEA (Local Rule 10.08), and the Successful Co-Parenting class ($25/person, cash only) must be completed before the final hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can a dissolution finish in Carroll County?: By statute, the dissolution hearing is set not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear at that hearing and affirm they still want the dissolution and agree to the terms; the court then grants the dissolution and incorporates the Separation Agreement into the decree.
Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Carroll County?: No. A dissolution is a joint, fully agreed, no-fault case filed together by both spouses after they sign a complete Separation Agreement. An "uncontested" divorce is typically a default — the other spouse can't be found or won't participate — and a divorce or legal separation is deemed uncontested unless an answer, motion, or stipulation for leave to plead is filed within 28 days after service (General & DR Division Local Rule 10.05). They use different forms and paths.
How much does it cost to file a Domestic Relations case in Carroll County?: The General & DR Division's Schedule of Deposits sets a $350.00 deposit for a divorce, dissolution, annulment, or legal separation — the same whether or not there are minor children, and a counterclaim in a divorce is also $350.00. These are deposits against court costs, not flat totals, and any unused balance is refundable. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (330) 627-4886 before filing.
Is a parenting class required for cases with children in Carroll County?: Yes. In cases with minor children, the General & DR Division requires the parent education program "Successful Co-Parenting," offered through the Ohio State University Extension Office, Carroll County ((330) 627-4310). It costs $25 per person (cash only) and must be completed before the final hearing (Local Rule 10.08(D)).

Free Local Resources in Carroll County

Carroll County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (330) 627-2450 or visit https://carrollcountyohio.us/agencies-and-departments/courts/court-of-common-pleas/ before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Carroll County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Carroll County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.

Related to your dissolution case

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

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on dissolution 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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

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.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.