Gallia County Dissolution Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 11, 2026

Gallia County, Ohio · Gallipolis

A dissolution is the fully-agreed way to end a marriage in Ohio. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement (and a Shared Parenting Plan if they have children) before jointly filing in the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas — there are no fault grounds and no contested issues. Ohio requires the final hearing 30–90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend and confirm the agreement.

Hire Gavvl for your Gallia County dissolution case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Gallia County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

How does dissolution work in Gallia County, Ohio?

Both spouses must first agree on everything — property and debt division, spousal support, and (if there are children) custody, parenting time, child support, health insurance, and tax matters. You then jointly file a Petition for Dissolution with a signed, notarized Separation Agreement (and a Shared Parenting Plan and child-support worksheet if you have children) with the Gallia County Clerk of Courts. Under Local Rule 4.01 the deposit is $450 for a dissolution without minor children and $500 with children — confirm the current amount, and a Poverty Affidavit can waive or spread it. Under R.C. 3105.64 and Local Rule 4.05 the final hearing is held 30–90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend. Gallia County accepts e-filing through the eAccess portal. Confirm scheduling and the current deposit with the Clerk at (740) 446-4612.

Gallia County dissolution, handled end to end by Gavvl Law

Dissolution is the fully agreed way out of a marriage: both spouses sign a complete, notarized Separation Agreement, jointly file with the Gallia County Clerk of Courts, and appear together at one hearing that R.C. 3105.64 and Local Rule 4.05 set 30 to 90 days later. Gavvl Law drafts the agreement and, for parents, the Shared Parenting Plan and child-support worksheet so nothing is left open, files the joint petition on paper or through eAccess against the $450 or $500 Local Rule 4.01 deposit, and gets both of you ready to confirm the terms in front of Judge Evans.

A Separation Agreement that leaves nothing unresolved. A dissolution collapses the moment one term is missing, so we cover property, debt, spousal support, and — for parents — custody, parenting time, child support, health insurance, and tax matters in one notarized document, adding the Ohio SC Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) where it is needed.
Timed to the 30-to-90-day statutory window. The court cannot hold the final hearing sooner than 30 days or later than 90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend and reaffirm the agreement. We file with that window in mind and prepare you both for the short hearing so the Decree of Dissolution is signed without a reset.
A flat fee that fits an agreed case. Because there is nothing to litigate, we quote one flat fee at the outset, and payment plans and financing are available. If a few issues are still open, mediation under Loc. R. 4.36 can close the gap so the case stays a dissolution instead of becoming a contested divorce.

Everything routes through the Gallia County Clerk of Courts (Noreen M. Saunders) at 18 Locust Street in Gallipolis, and the same eAccess portal that accepts your joint petition also hosts public case search — so we can confirm your hearing date and filing status without a trip to the courthouse.

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: Gallia County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)

18 Locust Street, Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 209-1115
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)

Gallia County Juvenile & Probate Court
18 Locust Street, Room 1293, Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-4612
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, debt, spousal support, and all parenting and support issues.
You can both sign a complete Separation Agreement in front of a notary before filing.
You can both attend the final hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64).
If you have children, you can submit a Shared Parenting Plan and a child-support worksheet.

Filing Fees

Dissolution deposit $450 without minor children / $500 with children under Local Rule 4.01 (confirm the current amount) · the final hearing is 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64 / Loc. R. 4.05) · a Poverty Affidavit can waive or spread the deposit · mediation (Loc. R. 4.36) can close small gaps before everything can be agreed. Court fees and deposits change — confirm the current amount with the Gallia County Clerk of Courts at (740) 446-4612 before filing. For never-married-parent and juvenile cases, confirm deposits with the Gallia County Juvenile & Probate Court at (740) 446-4612. A fee can be waived or spread over up to three monthly installments with a Poverty Affidavit and Payment Plan (Exhibit D).

Forms & Filing Packets

Agreed dissolution — $450 deposit without children / $500 with children (Loc. R. 4.01 — confirm)

Both spouses jointly file after signing a complete, notarized Separation Agreement. Filed with the Gallia County Clerk of Courts (on paper or by e-filing); the final hearing is set 30–90 days out (R.C. 3105.64 / Loc. R. 4.05).

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Ohio SC Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet (2024 Income Shares) — Run the official Ohio Child Support Calculator, print, and sign. Required any time the court sets or changes support.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.

How to File Dissolution in Gallia County

Reach a complete agreement. Agree on all property and debt division, spousal support, and — if you have children — allocation of parental rights, parenting time, child support, health insurance, and tax matters.
Sign the Separation Agreement. Both spouses sign the Separation Agreement in front of a notary; add a Shared Parenting Plan if you have children.
File the Petition for Dissolution jointly. File the Petition, Separation Agreement, financial affidavits, and (with children) the UCCJEA affidavit and support worksheet with the Clerk, and pay the deposit.
Attend the final hearing 30–90 days after filing. Both spouses must attend and confirm to the court that they still agree to the terms; the court then signs the Decree of Dissolution (R.C. 3105.64).

Gallia County Practice Notes

The 30–90 day hearing window is set by statute. Under R.C. 3105.64 and Local Rule 4.05, the dissolution hearing must be held no sooner than 30 days and no later than 90 days after the petition is filed. Both spouses must attend and confirm to the court that they still agree to every term before the court signs the Decree of Dissolution.
Everything must be agreed in writing. A dissolution requires a complete, notarized Separation Agreement covering property, debt, support, and all parenting and support issues. Any unresolved issue must proceed as a divorce instead. You can file the joint petition with the Clerk on paper or through the eAccess e-filing portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Gallia County?: Under R.C. 3105.64 and Local Rule 4.05, the dissolution hearing is set between 30 and 90 days after the joint petition is filed. Both spouses must attend the hearing and confirm to the court that they still agree to every term before the court signs the Decree of Dissolution. Everything must be agreed in a signed, notarized Separation Agreement before filing.
How much does it cost to file a family law case in Gallia County?: Under Local Rule 4.01, the deposit to start a domestic-relations case is $450 for a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment without minor children and $500 with minor children, plus $250 for a post-decree motion or contempt. A guardian ad litem appointment carries a separate $250 deposit (waivable; Loc. R. 4.10(C), 4.27), and a juvenile filing has a $102 minimum in Juvenile & Probate court costs. A DVCPO petition has no filing fee for the petitioner (R.C. 3113.31). A Poverty Affidavit and Payment Plan (Exhibit D) can waive the deposit or spread it over up to three monthly installments. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 446-4612 before filing.
Can I e-file a family law case in Gallia County?: Yes. Gallia County accepts electronic filing through the eAccess portal at eaccess.gallianet.net, and the same portal hosts public case search. You can also file on paper with the Clerk of Courts at 18 Locust Street, Gallipolis, in person or by mail ((740) 446-4612). Confirm registration, accepted formats, and the number of copies the Clerk requires before filing.
Is mediation available in Gallia County?: Yes. Under Local Rule 4.36, in a divorce, annulment, or legal separation (or a post-decree motion to modify parental rights) where custody or visitation is at issue, the court may order a mediation assessment and, if the case qualifies, allow mediation for a period not to exceed 90 days. Any agreement is not binding until reviewed and approved by the parties' counsel and the court.

Free Local Resources in Gallia County

Gallia County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk (Noreen M. Saunders) handles filing, fees, and the docket for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and domestic-relations post-decree matters. File in person or by mail at 18 Locust Street, Gallipolis, or electronically through the eAccess portal. Confirm current deposits and packet requirements at (740) 446-4612 (ext. 1221–1224) or https://www.galliacountycommonpleascourt.gov.
Gallia County Juvenile & Probate Court. The combined Juvenile & Probate Court (Hon. Thomas S. Moulton, Jr., Room 1293) handles never-married parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support, plus non-parent custody and adoption. Confirm juvenile filing deposits and procedures at (740) 446-4612.
Gallia County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The CSEA, part of Gallia County Job & Family Services at 848 Third Avenue (PO Box 449), Gallipolis ((740) 446-3222, Option 2), opens the IV-D case, sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, distributes payments, and can review existing orders. Open a IV-D case whenever support is established or changed.
Domestic Relations Local Rules (Rules 4.01–4.47). The Gallia County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Local Rules set the fee schedule, parenting seminar, mediation, GAL, and parenting-time procedures. Read them at https://www.galliacountycommonpleascourt.gov/_files/ugd/ab95c8_054a7f91260c4199b3ab33d2b8baf314.pdf.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.

More Gallia County family-law resources

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Gallia County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Gallia 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.

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