Cost of Dissolution in Franklin County, Ohio
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · 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, it is filed at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Division of Domestic Relations. 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 | Set by the Clerk of Courts — confirm the current filing fee before filing |
| Ohio domestic-violence shelter surcharge | 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 domestic violence shelter surcharge required by R.C. 2303.201 and a 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 set by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas — Division of Domestic Relations, plus the statewide domestic-violence shelter surcharge and the cost of serving the other spouse. The Clerk has the current amounts.
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 set by the Clerk of Courts, and a statewide surcharge and service-of-process costs are added on top — the Clerk has the current amounts. 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.
