Filing for Dissolution in Crawford County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated June 9, 2026

Crawford County, Ohio · Bucyrus

A dissolution lets both spouses end their marriage by agreement. Both must agree on everything and file together. Crawford County's $200 dissolution fee is the lowest in its fee schedule and among the lowest in Ohio. The court schedules a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing, and both spouses attend.

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

Both spouses file jointly at the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas, 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus. The filing fee is $200. Use the Ohio Supreme Court standardized set: Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), Separation Agreement (Form 19), a Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) for each spouse, and the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18). If you have minor children, add the UCCJEA affidavit (Affidavit 3), Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4), a child support worksheet, and a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) or Parenting Plan (Form 21). The court schedules a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing.

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: Crawford County Court of Common Pleas

112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus, OH 44820, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-5771
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: crawfordcocpcourt.org/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Crawford County Juvenile and Probate Court
112 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus, OH 44820, Bucyrus, OH 44820
Phone: (419) 562-5771
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on everything — property, debt, support, and (if applicable) parenting.
You are willing to file jointly and both attend the final hearing.
You want the lowest-cost path to ending the marriage ($200 in Crawford County).
You can complete the Separation Agreement and a proposed Decree before filing.

If you can't agree on everything, you'll need a divorce instead. See Crawford County divorce.

Filing Fees

$200 filing fee — the lowest in the Crawford County schedule · Hearing scheduled 30–90 days after filing · 60-day inactivity rule applies

Forms & Filing Packets

Core dissolution packet (no minor children) — $200

Petition for Dissolution (Supreme Court Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly. Tells the Crawford County court you have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Supreme Court Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign.
Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) — Discloses income, expenses, assets, and debts. Required at filing in every divorce, dissolution, or legal separation. In a dissolution each spouse files their own.
Decree of Dissolution (Supreme Court Form 18) — The proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement. Filed with the Petition.

Core dissolution packet (with minor children) — $200

Petition for Dissolution (Supreme Court Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly. Tells the Crawford County court you have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Supreme Court Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign.
Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) — Discloses income, expenses, assets, and debts. Required at filing in every divorce, dissolution, or legal separation. In a dissolution each spouse files their own.
Decree of Dissolution (Supreme Court Form 18) — The proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement. Filed with the Petition.
Custody Affidavit / UCCJEA (Affidavit 3) — Lists where each child has lived and with whom. Required whenever minor children are involved.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent.
Child Support Worksheet (Ohio 2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court is asked to set support.
Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 21) — Used when one parent will be the residential parent and legal custodian. Sets parenting time, decision-making, and exchanges.

Shared parenting add-on

Use the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) instead of the sole Parenting Plan when both parents will be residential parents and legal custodians.

Shared Parenting Plan (Supreme Court Form 20) — Used when both parents will be residential parents and legal custodians. Sets the physical schedule, decision-making, transportation, and dispute resolution.

How to File Dissolution in Crawford County

Reach a complete agreement. A dissolution requires agreement on every issue — property, debt, support, and parenting. Put it in the Separation Agreement (Form 19).
Complete the Ohio SC dissolution forms. Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), Separation Agreement (Form 19), a Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) for each spouse, and the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18). Add the children's forms if you have minor children.
File jointly at 112 E. Mansfield Street and pay $200. File with the Clerk of Courts at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus.
Keep the case active. The court schedules a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing. Avoid the 60-day inactivity rule — if nothing happens for 60 days, the court can set the matter for hearing or dismiss it within 30 days.
Attend the final hearing together. Both spouses appear to confirm the agreement is fair and voluntary, and the court signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Crawford County Practice Notes

Watch the 60-day inactivity rule. If a dissolution case is inactive for 60 days after filing, the court notifies counsel or the parties. Unless good cause is shown, the matter will be set for final hearing or dismissed within 30 days after that notice.
Both spouses must attend. A dissolution is a joint filing. The court schedules a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing, and both parties attend to confirm the agreement is voluntary.
Mediation is available. Both Crawford County magistrates — Timothy A. Roston and Russell J. Long — also serve as court mediators, and a case can be referred to mediation at any point if a sticking point arises before the hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to file a family law case in Crawford County?: Crawford County's filing fees are: dissolution $200, divorce $300, post-decree motion $200, Answer and Cross-Complaint with service $100, service by publication $500, QDRO $50, agreed judgment entry $50, and CPO petitions are free. Confirm the current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 562-5771 before filing.
How long does a Crawford County dissolution take?: The court schedules a hearing between 30 and 90 days after filing, and both parties attend. Watch the inactivity rule: if a dissolution case is inactive for 60 days after filing, the court sends a notice, and unless good cause is shown the matter is set for final hearing or dismissed within 30 days.
Does Crawford County have its own divorce and dissolution forms?: No. Crawford County uses the Ohio Supreme Court standardized domestic relations forms for all filings, and no local form packets are provided beyond the state forms. The only Crawford County local forms are the Affidavit and Counter-Affidavit for Temporary Orders and the Medical Support (Form 26.1) and Child Support (Form 26.2) provisions.
Is mediation available in Crawford County?: Yes. Both Crawford County magistrates — Timothy A. Roston and Russell J. Long — serve dual roles as court mediators, and a case may be referred to mediation at any point.
Where do I file a family law case in Crawford County?: All family law matters — domestic relations, juvenile, and probate — are handled in the same courthouse: the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas at 112 East Mansfield Street, Suite 200, Bucyrus, OH 44820. The phone number is (419) 562-5771 and the court is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Is a parenting class required in Crawford County?: No. Crawford County's parenting class requirement (Local Rule 25.3) has been suspended indefinitely since March 25, 2010. You do not need to complete a court-approved parenting class before your final hearing in Crawford County.

Free Local Resources in Crawford County

Ohio Legal Help. ohiolegalhelp.org — free legal information and interactive court forms for Ohio family law cases.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio. Serves Crawford County. Call 1-888-534-1432 for income-qualified legal help.
Crawford County Law Library. Located in the Courthouse at 112 East Mansfield Street, Bucyrus.
Crawford County DR Case Manager. Brook Scheffler, ext. 1145. Post-decree motions must be brought to the case manager before filing to be assigned a hearing date. Call (419) 562-5771.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court. crawfordcocpcourt.org — local court rules, Guardian ad Litem information, and the aspirational parenting guidelines.

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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus 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.

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