Filing for Dissolution in Erie County, Ohio

Erie County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Domestic Relations)

323 Columbus Avenue, 2nd Floor, Sandusky, OH 44870 • (419) 627-7732 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Filing fee: Contact Clerk for current amount. Fee waiver available.

Important things to know about Erie County

• No dedicated DR Division — General Division judges hear dissolutions, with all scheduling routed through DR Assignment Commissioner Amanda Tubbs at (419) 627-7777.
• Erie publishes a local Application/Instructions/Financial Disclosure Forms packet (form_2_03.pdf) — required at filing alongside the Ohio SC standardized forms.
• Erie has its own local Affidavit of Indigency for Court Costs (form_1_02.pdf) — use this rather than the Ohio SC version.
• Cell phones are NOT permitted in the Erie County Courthouse; everyone is screened by the Sheriff's Department on entry.
• Court costs can be paid online through PayGov (pay.paygov.us).
• DR Local Rules updated 2025 (DR_RULES20253.pdf).

Required forms (all cases)

• Petition for Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 17) — Joint petition; both spouses sign.
• Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — Full settlement on property, debt, and spousal support. Both spouses sign in front of a notary.
• Financial Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each spouse files their own.
• Application, Instructions & Financial Disclosure Forms (Erie local packet) — Required Erie County intake/financial-disclosure packet filed with the Petition.
• Affidavit of Indigency for Court Costs (Erie local) — Use to request waiver of the filing fee if you cannot afford it.
• Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order ending the marriage; incorporates the Separation Agreement.
• Notice of Voluntary Dismissal (Erie local) — Use if you decide to withdraw the joint petition before the final hearing.
• Waiver of Legal Counsel (Erie local) — Acknowledges that you are proceeding without an attorney.

Additional forms with minor children

• Custody Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3 — UCCJEA) — Required in any DR case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years.
• Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer.
• Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Use if both parents will share legal custody. Must be notarized.
• Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — sole custody — Outlines parenting time when one parent is residential parent and legal custodian.
• 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.