Filing for Dissolution in Hancock County

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

Hancock County, Ohio · Findlay

A dissolution is the no-fault, by-agreement path to ending a marriage. Both spouses sign a separation agreement that resolves everything, file together in the Domestic Relations Division, and appear at a hearing held 30 to 90 days later (R.C. 3105.64).

How do I file for dissolution in Hancock County, Ohio?

Both spouses sign a separation agreement (and, with children, a parenting plan and the Ohio child-support worksheet), then file a joint petition for dissolution with the Hancock County Clerk of Courts using the county's Dissolution Checklist and the with-children or without-children packet, plus the Appendix A financial affidavit. The deposit is $375 (no children) / $450 (with children) on the Clerk schedule, or $450 on the Domestic Relations Costs page. The final hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend. With minor children, both parties must complete the approved online parenting class.

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

PathEnds the marriage?Agreement required?Best when
DissolutionYesYes — on every term before filingBoth spouses agree on everything and want the fastest, lowest-cost path
Divorce (contested)YesNoSpouses disagree on property, support, or parenting and need a judge to decide
Divorce (uncontested / default)YesNoOne spouse will not respond or cannot be located
Legal separationNo — you stay marriedOptionalYou need court orders but must stay married (religion, insurance, or benefits)
AnnulmentTreated as never validNoThe marriage was never legally valid (fraud, bigamy, underage, or incapacity)

Where to File: Hancock County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

300 South Main Street, Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7818
Hours: Monday–Friday
Website: Court website

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hancock County Probate/Juvenile Court (Allan H. Davis Judicial Center)
209 West Main Cross Street, Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7066
Hours: Monday–Friday

Dissolution is the right path if…

  • You and your spouse agree on all property, debt, support, and parenting issues.
  • Both of you are willing to sign a written separation agreement.
  • Both of you are willing to appear together at the final hearing.
  • You want a faster, lower-conflict alternative to a contested divorce.

If you don't yet agree on everything, or your spouse won't participate, a divorce is the right path. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

Dissolution deposit: $375 (no children) / $450 (with children) on the Clerk schedule, or $450 on the Domestic Relations Costs page · final hearing 30–90 days after filing · both parties complete the parenting class when there are minor children · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 424-7037

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution packet (no minor children) — $375 (Clerk schedule) / $450 (Domestic Relations Costs page)

Use the Dissolution Checklist and the without-children packet with the signed separation agreement and the Appendix A financial affidavit; both spouses attend the 30–90 day hearing.

Dissolution packet (with minor children) — $450 (Clerk schedule / Domestic Relations Costs page)

Use the with-children packet, add a parenting plan and the Ohio child-support worksheet, and the Consent Judgment Entry; both parties complete the approved online parenting class before the dissolution is granted.

How to File Dissolution in Hancock County

  1. Reach full agreement. Agree on property, debt, support, and (with children) custody and parenting time, and put it all in a written separation agreement.
  2. Prepare the packet. Use the Hancock County Dissolution Checklist and the with-children or without-children packet, the Appendix A financial affidavit, and, with children, a parenting plan and the support worksheet.
  3. File jointly and pay the deposit. File the joint petition with the Clerk of Courts, (419) 424-7037, and pay the deposit, or file for a fee waiver.
  4. Complete the parenting class. With minor children, both parties complete the approved online parenting class (DR Rule 2.22) and file certificates with the Clerk.
  5. Attend the hearing. Both spouses appear at the final hearing held 30 to 90 days after filing; the court reviews the agreement and grants the dissolution.

Hancock County Practice Notes

  • A separate Domestic Relations Division hears divorce. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the Domestic Relations Division of the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas at the Hancock County Courthouse, 300 South Main Street, Findlay. Most matters are heard by a magistrate. File through the Clerk of Courts (3rd floor), (419) 424-7037; the DR offices can be reached at (419) 424-7818.
  • Hancock County publishes two overlapping DR fee lists. The Clerk-of-Courts schedule lists divorce $400 (no children) / $475 (with children) and dissolution $375 / $450, while the 'Domestic Relations Costs' page (effective July 1, 2025) lists divorce $550 / dissolution $450 with a $200 add-on for service by publication. Both are published; confirm the controlling amount with the Clerk at (419) 424-7037 before filing.
  • An approved online parenting class is required. Any Hancock County case involving minor children requires an approved online parenting class (DR Rule 2.22). A divorce will not be completed until the Plaintiff attends; a dissolution requires both parties; a parenting motion requires the filing party. Approved providers include A-OK ($30), Children in Between ($45.95 + $3), and Online Parenting Programs ($30). File the certificate with the Clerk; questions (419) 424-7818.
  • Free monthly Pro Se Divorce Clinic. A free Pro Se Divorce Clinic runs monthly (1:00–4:00 p.m., First-Floor Conference Rooms of the Courthouse) for people without an attorney who qualify for Legal Aid — by appointment through the Legal Aid Line, 888-534-1432. LAWO and the Findlay-Hancock County Bar Association also hold a monthly Domestic Relations clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Hancock County?
No. A dissolution is a joint filing where both spouses agree on everything before filing and sign a separation agreement. An uncontested (default-style) divorce is a one-sided case that proceeds when the other spouse can't be located (service by posting or publication) or won't participate. They use different Hancock County forms.
How long does a dissolution take in Hancock County?
The final hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64), and both spouses must appear. The Court may dismiss a dissolution that is not heard within 90 days (DR Rule 2.13).
How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Hancock County?
Hancock County publishes two overlapping lists. On the Clerk-of-Courts schedule, divorce is $400 (no children) / $475 (with children) and dissolution is $375 / $450. The 'Domestic Relations Costs' page (effective July 1, 2025) instead lists divorce $550 / dissolution $450, with a $200 add-on for service by publication. These are advance cost deposits, not flat fees. Confirm the controlling amount with the Clerk at (419) 424-7037; fee waivers are available with a poverty affidavit.
What parenting class do I have to take in Hancock County?
An approved online class under DR Rule 2.22. A divorce will not be completed until the Plaintiff attends; a dissolution requires both parties; a parenting motion requires the filing party. New cases use a basic class — A-OK ($30), Children in Between ($45.95 + $3 data fee), or Online Parenting Programs ($30) — and post-decree/high-conflict cases use an advanced class. File the certificate with the Clerk; questions (419) 424-7818.

Free Local Resources in Hancock County

  • Hancock County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Current filing fees, deposit amounts, and case filing for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree matters. Clerk of Courts, 3rd floor, 300 South Main Street, Findlay; (419) 424-7037. Hancock County publishes two overlapping DR fee lists, so confirm the controlling amount before filing. Forms are at https://www.co.hancock.oh.us/210/Forms; there is no public family-law e-filing.
  • Hancock County Probate/Juvenile Court. Handles never-married-parent parentage, custody, parenting time, and support, plus non-parent custody, at the Allan H. Davis Judicial Center, 209 West Main Cross Street, Findlay. Juvenile (419) 424-7066; Probate (419) 424-7079. New complaints are a $125 deposit; new motions $100. Paternity & Custody forms: https://www.co.hancock.oh.us/187/Paternity-Custody.
  • Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Establishes parentage administratively, opens IV-D cases, sets support under Ohio's guidelines, collects by income withholding, and reviews existing orders. Contact (419) 424-1365.
  • Free Pro Se Divorce Clinic. A free clinic runs monthly (1:00–4:00 p.m., First-Floor Conference Rooms of the Courthouse) for people without an attorney who qualify for Legal Aid — by appointment through the Legal Aid Line, 888-534-1432. LAWO and the Findlay-Hancock County Bar Association also hold a monthly Domestic Relations clinic.
  • Parenting Education (DR Rule 2.22). Cases with minor children require an approved online parenting class. Providers include A-OK ($30), Children in Between ($45.95 + $3), and Online Parenting Programs ($30). Program page: https://www.co.hancock.oh.us/212/Parenting-Education. File the certificate with the Clerk; questions (419) 424-7818.
  • 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.
  • Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services. Advocates can help with safety planning and protection-order petitions (no petitioner filing fee). Contact 419-420-9261 or 419-422-4766.

Other Family-Law Topics in Hancock County

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 Hancock County family-law resources

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