Filing for Dissolution in Clinton County, Ohio
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Clinton County (Wilmington) is a smaller county where Hon. Andrew T. McCoy hears the General Division, including domestic relations; Juvenile and Probate are a separate combined court under Judge Chad L. Carey. Three things drive most dissolutions: (1) mandatory e-filing through the Clerk of Courts e-filing portal since January 1, 2024 — paper filings are not accepted; (2) DR forms live as appendices inside the local rules document at clintoncountycourts.org rather than on a separate forms page; and (3) every new DR filing must include the local Case Designation Form AND Personal Identifier Form. Filing fees are $300 without children and $400 with children. Final hearings are typically set 30–90 days after filing and both spouses must attend in person.
What dissolution costs in Clinton County — one clear flat fee
Worried about what dissolution will cost in Clinton County? We quote one flat fee up front instead of running an open-ended hourly meter, so there are no surprise invoices — and payment plans let you spread the cost if you need to. This page also covers the local side for Clinton County: court contacts in Wilmington, forms, and fee details.
- One flat fee, agreed up front. We put the entire dissolution price in writing first. Once you approve it, that's the fee — no meters running and nothing tacked on later.
- Payments that fit your budget. Flexible payment plans and financing are available, so cost doesn't have to delay getting help.
- Why Clinton County families choose us. Our incentive matches yours: with one flat fee, the sooner your dissolution case is resolved, the better for everyone. Licensed Ohio family-law attorneys serving Clinton County and statewide.
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.
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) |
Clinton County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)
46 South South Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 304, Wilmington, OH 45177 • (937) 382-3640 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Filing fee: $300–$400. Fee waiver available.
Important things to know about Clinton County
- Mandatory e-filing since January 1, 2024 through the Clerk of Courts e-filing portal — paper filings are not accepted.
- DR forms are appendices to the local rules document at clintoncountycourts.org/pdf/localRules-DR.pdf. Scroll to the "Appendixes" section.
- Every new DR filing must include the local Case Designation Form AND Personal Identifier Form.
- $100 fee gap between no-children ($300) and with-children ($400) — one of the larger gaps in Ohio.
- Hon. Andrew T. McCoy hears the General Division — civil, criminal, and DR; Juvenile and Probate are a separate combined court under Judge Chad L. Carey.
Required forms (all cases)
- Clinton County Case Designation Form (local) — Required with every new filing.
- Clinton County Personal Identifier Form (local) — Required with every new filing — protects SSN/DOB from the public file.
- Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) — Joint petition; both spouses sign.
- Separation Agreement (Form 19) — Full settlement on property, debt, and spousal support. Both spouses sign.
- Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1) — Each spouse files their own.
- Affidavit of Property (Affidavit 2) — Each spouse files their own — all assets and debts.
- Decree of Dissolution (Form 18) — Proposed final order — the Judge signs at the final hearing.
Additional forms with minor children
- Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3) — 5-year address history and any other court cases involving the children.
- Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) — Each parent's access to health insurance for the children.
- Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) — Use if both parents will share legal custody.
- Parenting Plan (Form 21) — sole custody — Outlines parenting time when one parent is residential.
- Parenting Judgment Entry (Form 22) — sole custody — Sole-custody court order naming the residential parent.
- Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Run on the Ohio Child Support Calculator and print.
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.
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