Filing for Dissolution in Fayette County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 9, 2026

Fayette County, Ohio · Washington Court House

A dissolution lets both spouses end their marriage by agreement — you must agree on everything (property, debts, custody, and support) before filing. In Fayette County, both spouses file jointly using the county's Dissolution of Marriage Checklist, and the court schedules a hearing between 30 and 90 days later that both spouses must attend before the Honorable David B. Bender.

How do I file for a dissolution in Fayette County, Ohio?

Start with the Fayette County Dissolution of Marriage Checklist, then complete the Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms it lists — typically the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), the Separation Agreement (Form 19), and a Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) for each spouse. With minor children, also file the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3), Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4), the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, and a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) or Parenting Plan (Form 21). File with the Clerk on the 3rd floor at 110 East Court Street or eFile through Henschen, pay the fee set by the Clerk (or file an Affidavit of Indigency), and both spouses attend the hearing the court sets 30–90 days after filing.

Fayette County dissolution: one flat fee, no hourly surprises

Worried about what dissolution will cost in Fayette County? We quote one flat fee up front instead of running an open-ended hourly meter, so there are no surprise invoices — and payment plans let you spread the cost if you need to. Washington Court House court contacts, required forms, and local fee details for Fayette County are all covered further down this page.

One flat fee, agreed up front. Your dissolution fee is quoted in full before we lift a finger — one number, approved by you, with no hourly clock behind it.
Payments that fit your budget. A payment plan lets you break the dissolution flat fee into manageable installments, and financing is an option too — start now, pay over time.
Why Fayette County families choose us. With a flat fee there's no clock on every call or email — we're rewarded for resolving your Fayette County case, not prolonging it. Licensed Ohio family-law attorneys, statewide.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we prepare your full dissolution petition and separation agreement for an agreed, no-court split.

Dissolution: $1,750
Dissolution with children: $2,300

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your dissolution case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Fayette County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, 3rd Floor, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (740) 335-4750
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Website: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Fayette County Juvenile Court
Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, 2nd Floor, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Phone: (740) 335-0640
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every term: property, debts, custody, and support.
Both of you are willing to sign all paperwork and appear together at the final hearing.
You want a faster, lower-conflict alternative to a contested divorce.
You can complete the Dissolution of Marriage Checklist and the standardized forms it lists.

If you and your spouse can't agree on everything yet, a divorce lets the court decide the open issues. See Fayette County divorce options.

Filing Fees

The Fayette County dissolution deposit is about $350 — a security deposit toward court costs, not the final bill — under the Clerk of Courts fee schedule effective July 3, 2023, plus small statutory computer-fund add-ons. Amounts can change, so confirm the current figure with the Clerk at (740) 335-6371. An Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available under Ohio Civ.R. 3(E).

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution packet (no minor children) — About $350 deposit (Clerk fee schedule, eff. 7/3/2023) — confirm at (740) 335-6371; Affidavit of Indigency waiver available

Both spouses sign every document. The Dissolution of Marriage Checklist lists the complete set of required documents.

Fayette County Dissolution of Marriage Checklist — Fayette County's pro se checklist listing every form a dissolution filing needs and how to complete it. Start here.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — The joint petition both spouses file to tell the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, and support. Both spouses must sign.
Financial Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Discloses each spouse's income, expenses, and basic financial information. Required for each party.

Dissolution packet (with minor children) — About $350 deposit (Clerk fee schedule, eff. 7/3/2023) — confirm at (740) 335-6371; Affidavit of Indigency waiver available

Adds the Ohio standardized children's forms the checklist requires when the spouses have minor children together.

Fayette County Dissolution of Marriage Checklist — Fayette County's pro se checklist listing every form a dissolution filing needs and how to complete it. Start here.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — The joint petition both spouses file when they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and the parenting arrangement. Both spouses must sign.
Financial Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Discloses each spouse's income, expenses, and basic financial information. Required for each party.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Lists where each child has lived and with whom, confirming the court's jurisdiction over custody.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Reports the children's health-care coverage so the court can address medical support.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court will set support.
Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) or Parenting Plan (Form 21) — Use a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) when both parents will be residential parents/legal custodians, or a Parenting Plan (Form 21) for the parenting schedule.

How to File Dissolution in Fayette County

Confirm you agree on everything. Dissolution requires a complete agreement on property, debts, custody, and support before you file. Download and read the Dissolution of Marriage Checklist first.
Complete all required forms. Complete the Petition (Form 17), Separation Agreement (Form 19), and a Financial Affidavit (Affidavit 1) for each spouse — plus the children's forms and a parenting plan if you have minor children.
File with the Clerk or eFile through Henschen. File at the Clerk of Courts on the 3rd floor, 110 East Court Street, or eFile through Henschen. Pay the fee set by the Clerk, or file an Affidavit of Indigency for a waiver.
Attend the hearing together. The court schedules a hearing 30–90 days after filing; both spouses must appear before Judge Bender, who reviews the agreement and signs the decree.

Fayette County Practice Notes

Dissolution is agreed, not 'uncontested'. A dissolution means both spouses already agree on every term before filing. That is different from an uncontested (default) divorce, where only one spouse participates because the other won't respond or can't be found.
Hearing is set 30–90 days after filing. Once a complete packet is filed, the court schedules the dissolution hearing between 30 and 90 days later, and both spouses must attend that hearing before Judge Bender.
Use the Dissolution of Marriage Checklist. Fayette County's pro se Dissolution of Marriage Checklist lists exactly which forms are required and how to complete them. The Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms it references are downloaded from the Ohio Supreme Court forms page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Fayette County?: Once a complete dissolution packet is filed, the court schedules a hearing between 30 and 90 days after filing. Both spouses must attend that hearing before Judge Bender. Because a dissolution requires that the spouses already agree on every term — property, debts, custody, and support — it is generally faster and lower-conflict than a contested divorce.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Fayette County?: The Fayette County Clerk of Courts charges a security deposit toward court costs set by its published fee schedule (effective July 3, 2023): about $400 for a divorce, $350 for a dissolution, $250 for a new custody action between married parents, and $200 for a post-decree motion, plus small statutory computer-fund add-ons. The separate Probate-Juvenile Court charges about a $100 deposit for a custody, support, parenting-time, or paternity case between never-married parents. These are deposits, not the final bill, and amounts can change — confirm the current figure with the Clerk at (740) 335-6371 before you file. If you cannot afford the deposit, an Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available for qualifying low-income filers under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E); the Juvenile and Probate divisions accept payment online through the BridgePayment portal.
Where do I file in Fayette County?: Domestic Relations cases (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree motions, and protection orders) run through the Domestic Relations Division of the Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, Washington Court House. You file your paperwork with the Clerk of Courts on the 3rd floor of the building, or eFile through the Henschen system. Custody, support, and paternity for never-married parents are filed in the separate Probate-Juvenile Court on the 2nd floor of the same building.
Can I eFile in Fayette County?: In the General & Domestic Relations Division, e-filing through the Henschen system is required for attorneys, while self-represented (pro se) litigants are exempt and file in person with the Clerk of Courts on the 3rd floor of the courthouse at 110 East Court Street. The separate Probate-Juvenile Court does not offer e-filing yet, so custody, support, and paternity cases for never-married parents are filed in person, by mail, or by fax.
Does Fayette County have self-help checklists for filing without a lawyer?: Yes — Fayette County provides an unusually detailed set of six pro se filing checklists: a Dissolution of Marriage Checklist, a Divorce Checklist, a Post-Decree Motion Checklist, a Complaint for Custody Checklist, an Answer Checklist, and a unique Married but Separated Custody Packet. Each checklist walks you through exactly which forms are needed and how to complete them. The Juvenile Court also posts a Self-Help Custody Info sheet and a Motion to Continue / Blank Motion form.
Who decides family law cases in Fayette County?: Family-law matters in Fayette County are split between two judges in the same courthouse. The Honorable David B. Bender presides over the Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division, which hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment. The separate combined Probate-Juvenile Court — which hears custody, parenting time, and child support for never-married parents, plus adoptions — is presided over by the Honorable Mary E. King. Both courts sit in the Fayette County Courthouse at 110 East Court Street.

Free Local Resources in Fayette County

Fayette County Clerk of Courts. Publishes the Fee Schedule, the six pro se filing checklists, and eFiling (Henschen) instructions. Located on the 3rd floor of the courthouse, 110 East Court Street; call (740) 335-6371 to confirm current fees before filing. Online payments are accepted through BridgePayment.
Pro Se Checklists & Juvenile Self-Help Forms. Fayette County posts Divorce, Dissolution, and Custody checklists plus a Juvenile Self-Help/Forms page (including the Self-Help Custody Info sheet and a Motion to Continue / Blank Motion form) for people filing without an attorney.
Fayette County Victim Witness Office. Provides domestic violence and protection order resources, including a downloadable Domestic Violence brochure, Protection Orders information, and a Teens, Dating Violence & Sexual Assaults page.
Triple P Positive Parenting Program. Free, evidence-based parenting tools through the Ohio Children's Trust Fund's Triple P Online program, linked by the Fayette County Juvenile Court.
Ohio Legal Help & Fayette County Law Library. Ohio Legal Help (ohiolegalhelp.org) offers free plain-language guides and form help, and the Fayette County Law Library provides legal research resources and forms.

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.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on dissolution and related Ohio family law topics.

Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio: Which Path Is Right for You? — Divorce and dissolution both end an Ohio marriage, but they work very differently. Dissolution is a no-fault, agreed process; divorce is a lawsuit for couples who can't agree. Here's how to choose.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Ohio? — The cost of an Ohio divorce ranges widely depending on conflict and complexity. Here's what drives the price — court fees, attorney fees, experts — and how to keep it manageable.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Ohio? — There is no single answer to how long an Ohio divorce takes — an agreed dissolution can finish in a couple of months, while a contested divorce may run a year or more. Here's what drives the timeline.
Dividing Property in an Ohio Divorce — Ohio divides marital property equitably — meaning fairly, not always equally. The first step is classifying every asset and debt. Here's how the process works.

Continue your Fayette County research

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Fayette County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Fayette County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Gavvl Law.
Payment plans & financing — Flat fees with Gavvl Direct, Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal Pay Later.

Understand the cost

Divorce vs. Dissolution in Ohio — How the two paths compare on agreement, timeline, and cost.
Ohio Divorce Cost & Timeline by Path — Compare cost and timeline across every path to ending a marriage.

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