Filing for Dissolution in Franklin County, Ohio

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic and Juvenile Division

373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 525-4410 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Filing fee: $225. Fee waiver available.

Important things to know about Franklin County

• Among the lowest filing fees in Ohio — $225 flat for dissolution, with or without children.
• Attorneys MUST e-file. Self-represented parties may file paper, but must place the Petition on top of each set of copies.
• Local Rule 10 copy rule: file in TRIPLICATE (original + 2 copies) if minor children, or DUPLICATE (original + 1 copy) if no children.
• The Decree of Dissolution must be e-filed in WORD format and submitted as 'Filing Submitted to Judge.'
• Certificate of Assignment is required — it checks for any previously filed case between the parties.
• Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers is filed SEPARATELY from the public case file to keep SSNs/DOBs private.
• Even if both parents agree to ZERO child support, you must still file a Child Support Worksheet AND Deviation Findings of Fact.
• Model Parenting Time Schedule is established by local court rule (Local DR Rule 27.1 / Juv Rule 22.1).
• Capital University Law School Clinic operates inside the courthouse on the 4th floor — 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon–Fri, by appointment.
• Final hearing is normally held 30–90 days after filing and the dissolution is typically finalized the same day.

Required forms (all cases)

• Without Children Checklist — Franklin County's official packet checklist for dissolutions without minor children.
• Petition, Agreement, Waivers & Judgment Entry — Combined Packet — Franklin County's bundled starter packet (includes the Petition for Dissolution / Form 17).
• Separation Agreement (Form 19) — Your full settlement on property, debt, and support. Both spouses must sign.
• Certificate of Assignment — Required Franklin County form — checks for any prior case between the parties.
• Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers — Filed SEPARATELY from the public case file to protect SSNs, DOBs, and other sensitive data.
• Affidavit of Income & Expenses (one per party) — Each spouse files their own — employment, income, and monthly expenses.
• Affidavit of Property (one per party) — Each spouse files their own — must match the Separation Agreement.
• Waiver of Legal Representation (if no attorney) — Each unrepresented spouse signs to confirm they are filing without an attorney.
• Waiver of Service of Summons — Skips formal service — both spouses agree to proceed.
• Property Findings of Fact (or waiver) — Court findings on the division of property — or signed waiver.
• Decree of Dissolution (e-file in WORD format) — Final order ending the marriage — must be e-filed in Word as 'Filing Submitted to Judge' before the hearing.
• Fee Waiver Request (if needed) — Optional poverty affidavit if you can't afford the $225 filing fee.

Additional forms with minor children

• With Children Checklist — Franklin County's official packet checklist for dissolutions with minor children.
• Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (one per party) — Required in every case with minor children — 5-year address history and any other court cases involving the kids.
• Health Insurance Affidavit — Each parent's access to health insurance for the children.
• Child Support Affidavit — Income and expense disclosure used to calculate child support.
• Child Support Worksheet (both parties must sign) — Run the numbers in the Ohio Child Support Calculator, print the worksheet, and BOTH parents sign. Required even when both parents agree to ZERO support.
• Deviation Findings (if deviating from guideline support) — Required any time the agreed support amount is different from the guideline number — including agreements at $0.
• IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens a child support case with Franklin County CSEA. Obtained through the Clerk of Courts at filing.
• Shared Parenting Plan (Option A) — Use if both parents will share legal custody. Both parents must sign.
• Parenting Plan (Option B — sole custody) — Use if one parent will be residential. Pair with the Parenting Judgment Entry.
• Parenting Judgment Entry (Option B — sole custody) — Sole-custody court order naming the residential parent.
• Model Parenting Time Schedule (Local Rule) — Franklin County's standardized parenting time schedule — used when parents don't include their own.
• QDRO — Private Pension (if dividing a 401(k)/private retirement) — Qualified Domestic Relations Order for private retirement plans.
• QDRO — General (alternate template) — General-purpose QDRO template available from the Franklin County Law Library.
• DPO — Ohio Public Retirement (if dividing OPERS/STRS/etc.) — Division of Property Order for Ohio public retirement plans.

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.