Ohio Divorce Cost & Timeline by Path
Reviewed by Stephanie Green, Esq. · Managing Partner, Gavvl Law · Last updated May 27, 2026
How much a divorce costs and how long it takes in Ohio depends entirely on the path you take. Dissolution is the fastest and cheapest, an uncontested divorce is in the middle, and a contested divorce is the longest and most expensive. Use the tables below to compare all three, including real filing-fee deposits in Ohio's largest counties.
Cost and timeline by path
| Path | Typical timeline | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolution (fully agreed) | 30 to 90 days | Filing-fee deposit; parenting class if children |
| Uncontested divorce (no response / no dispute) | 2 to 6 months | Filing fee; service of process; default paperwork |
| Contested divorce | 8 to 18 months or more | Filing fee; discovery; experts; attorney time |
Court filing-fee deposits by metro county (divorce vs. dissolution)
| County | Divorce deposit | Dissolution deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | ~$300 | ~$250 |
| Franklin County | $275 | $225 |
| Cuyahoga County | ~$350 | ~$250 |
| Montgomery County | ~$250 | ~$200 |
| Summit County | ~$420 | ~$400 |
Court costs are the same across paths — attorney time is not
The court filing-fee deposit is set by each county and does not change based on how the case proceeds. What changes the total is attorney time: a fully agreed dissolution needs the least, an uncontested divorce a bit more (to obtain a default judgment), and a contested divorce the most, because of discovery, temporary orders, and possibly trial. On top of the filing fee, every Ohio filing adds a $32 statewide domestic-violence shelter surcharge, plus the cost of serving the other spouse.
Lowering the cost of your Ohio divorce
The biggest cost lever is agreement: the more you and your spouse can settle up front, the cheaper and faster the case. If money is tight, Ohio counties accept a poverty affidavit (fee waiver) for the court costs, and 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 for attorney fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the cheapest way to get divorced in Ohio?
- A dissolution is the cheapest path because both spouses agree on all terms before filing, which avoids discovery and trial. The next cheapest is an uncontested divorce, where the other spouse does not respond or dispute the terms.
- How long does a divorce take in Ohio?
- A dissolution typically takes 30 to 90 days, an uncontested divorce 2 to 6 months, and a contested divorce 8 to 18 months or more.
- What court costs apply to every Ohio filing?
- Every Ohio domestic-relations filing includes the county filing-fee deposit, a $32 statewide domestic-violence shelter surcharge, and the cost of serving the other spouse. Fee waivers are available for qualifying filers.
Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.
