Cost of Dissolution in Franklin County, Ohio
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated May 27, 2026
A dissolution is Ohio's cooperative way to end a marriage, and it is usually the least expensive path. In Franklin County, the filing-fee deposit at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Division of Domestic Relations is $225. Below is a real breakdown of court costs, the timeline, and flexible, no-credit-check ways to pay for your Columbus-area dissolution.
Typical costs to file a dissolution in Franklin County
| Cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee (deposit) | $225 (Dissolution of marriage) |
| Ohio domestic-violence shelter surcharge | $32, added statewide to every filing |
| Service of process | Certified mail, sheriff, or private process server |
| Court-approved parenting class (cases with minor children) | Set by the provider; required before the final decree |
| Attorney fees | Flat fee for many uncontested matters; a scoped retainer for contested cases |
Filing fees are deposits paid to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts and are subject to additional statewide surcharges, including the mandatory $32 Ohio Revised Code § 2303.201 domestic violence shelter surcharge and a $5.50 decree fee. Service costs are billed separately. Poverty affidavits are available.
What goes into the cost of a dissolution in Franklin County
Two things make up the cost of any dissolution: what you pay the court and what you pay your attorney. The court cost is the filing-fee deposit ($225 in Franklin County), plus the $32 statewide domestic-violence shelter surcharge and the cost of serving the other spouse. Filing fees are deposits paid to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts and are subject to additional statewide surcharges, including the mandatory $32 Ohio Revised Code § 2303.201 domestic violence shelter surcharge and a $5.50 decree fee. Service costs are billed separately. Poverty affidavits are available.
Because both spouses sign a complete separation agreement before a dissolution is filed, there is no discovery, no temporary-orders fight, and usually a single joint hearing. That keeps attorney fees predictable, and Gavvl Law quotes many dissolutions as a flat fee.
How long does a dissolution take in Columbus?
A dissolution in Franklin County typically takes about 30 to 90 days from filing. The court schedules a final hearing once both spouses have signed the separation agreement and the waiting period has passed.
Ways to manage the cost
If you cannot afford the filing-fee deposit, Franklin County accepts a poverty affidavit (fee waiver) for qualifying filers. For attorney fees, Gavvl Law offers several ways to pay: pay in full by card, finance through third-party providers like Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later, or spread a flat fee over time with a Gavvl Direct in-house payment plan that requires no credit check.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to file a dissolution in Franklin County?
- The filing-fee deposit for a dissolution in Franklin County is $225, paid to the Clerk of Courts, plus a $32 statewide surcharge and service-of-process costs. Attorney fees are separate; Gavvl Law quotes many dissolutions as a flat fee. Fee waivers are available for qualifying filers.
- How long does a dissolution take in Columbus?
- A dissolution in Franklin County usually takes about 30 to 90 days from filing.
- Can I pay my Columbus dissolution attorney fees over time?
- Yes. Gavvl Law offers pay-in-full, third-party financing (Affirm, Klarna, PayPal Pay Later), and a no-credit-check Gavvl Direct in-house payment plan so you can spread a flat fee over time.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
