Dissolution of Marriage in Hocking County

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

Hocking County, Ohio · Logan

A dissolution is the "no-fault, fully agreed" way to end a marriage. Both spouses are co-petitioners who agree on everything — property, debts, support, and parenting — before filing, then appear at a short hearing. In Hocking County it's filed in the Common Pleas General/DR Division in Logan.

How does a dissolution work in Hocking County, Ohio?

Both spouses reach a complete agreement and file a joint petition (Form 17), a Separation Agreement (Form 19), and a proposed Decree (Form 18) with the Hocking County Clerk of Courts, 1 East Main Street, Logan; (740) 385-2616, plus the financial and county affidavits. Pay the $300.00 deposit. Ohio law sets the hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64); both spouses must appear and confirm the agreement under oath.

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: Hocking County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Division

1 East Main Street
Phone: (740) 385-4027
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Hocking County Juvenile Court (Common Pleas, Juvenile Division)
1 East Main Street
Phone: (740) 385-3615
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on all terms — property, debt, support, and parenting.
Both spouses will sign the paperwork and appear at a short hearing.
You want a faster, lower-conflict path than a contested divorce.
Neither of you needs the court to decide a disputed issue.
You can put the full agreement in writing as a Separation Agreement before filing.

Filing Fees

Clerk's deposit $300.00 · no fee to convert a dissolution into a divorce before the decree (Local Rule 64.04) · fee waiver via poverty affidavit · confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616.

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $300.00 deposit (confirm with the Clerk)

File the joint Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), the Separation Agreement (Form 19), and the proposed Decree (Form 18) with the financial affidavits and the county Party Supplemental Information Affidavit.

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.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.
Affidavit of Property (Ohio SC Affidavit 2) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Party Supplemental Information Affidavit (Local Rule 63.01) — A Hocking County local affidavit that must be filed with every domestic-relations complaint (divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment). Available on the Common Pleas Forms page.

Dissolution with minor children — $300.00 deposit (confirm with the Clerk)

Add the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, the Health Insurance Affidavit, the county Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit, a child-support worksheet, an Application for Child Support Services (JFS 07076), and a parenting plan or shared parenting plan referenced in the agreement.

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.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.
Parenting Proceeding / UCCJEA Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 3) — Required in any case with minor children. Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years, confirming Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavit (Local Rule 63.01) — A Hocking County local affidavit required in any domestic-relations case involving minor children. Available on the Common Pleas Forms page.
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.
Application for Child Support Services (JFS 07076) — Opens a IV-D case so the CSEA can collect, disburse, and enforce support. Required in a dissolution or parentage case with children and any time you ask the court to set support. Available through the Clerk/CSEA.

How to File Dissolution in Hocking County

Reach full agreement. Agree on property, debt, spousal support, and — if you have children — custody, parenting time, and child support, and put it in a written Separation Agreement.
Prepare the joint petition packet. Complete Form 17 (Petition + Waiver of Service), Form 19 (Separation Agreement), and Form 18 (Decree), and attach anything the agreement references (legal descriptions, a parenting plan, a child-support worksheet).
File jointly and pay. File with the Hocking County Clerk and pay the $300.00 deposit (or file a poverty affidavit).
Attend the hearing 30–90 days later. Both spouses appear and confirm the agreement under oath; the judge or magistrate signs and journalizes the Decree of Dissolution.

Hocking County Practice Notes

Both spouses appear and confirm the agreement. At the hearing (30–90 days after filing, R.C. 3105.64), both spouses must appear and confirm under oath that they entered the Separation Agreement voluntarily, are satisfied with it, and want the dissolution. Bring the proposed Decree to the hearing.
Conversion to divorce — no extra fee. If the agreement breaks down before the decree, either spouse may convert the dissolution to a divorce with no additional filing fee (Local Rule 64.04).
Non-resident co-petitioners need leave. If neither petitioner is a Hocking County resident, the parties must ask the court for leave to consider the petition (Local Rule 64.05).
Heard by Magistrate Joe Nemec. Hocking County domestic-relations matters are heard by Magistrate Joe Nemec (Local Rule 10); Judge Jason M. Despetorich reviews the magistrate's decision and rules on any objections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Hocking County?: Ohio law sets the hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64; Local Rule 64.03). Both spouses must appear and confirm the agreement under oath; the decree follows at that hearing.
Do both spouses have to come to court for a dissolution?: Yes. Both spouses must appear at the hearing and confirm under oath that they entered the Separation Agreement voluntarily, are satisfied with it, and want the dissolution. Bring the proposed Decree to the hearing.
What if our dissolution agreement breaks down before the decree?: Either spouse may convert the dissolution to a divorce before the decree with no additional filing fee (Local Rule 64.04).
Is an "uncontested divorce" the same as a dissolution in Hocking County?: No. An uncontested divorce is a default-style divorce — your spouse was served but did not file an answer. A dissolution is jointly filed and fully agreed before filing. If you and your spouse agree on everything, a dissolution is usually the simpler path.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Hocking County?: The Clerk's deposit is $300.00, with or without children. If you cannot afford it, file a poverty affidavit and the court may waive the deposit (Local Rule 4.07). No personal checks; a card surcharge may apply. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 385-2616.

Free Local Resources in Hocking County

Hocking County DIY Divorce Forms. The Common Pleas Court's do-it-yourself divorce information and form links for self-represented filers: https://hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas/DIY-Divorce-Forms
Hocking County Common Pleas Forms. Domestic-relations forms, including the county Party and Parenting Supplemental Information Affidavits and the Notice of Intent to Relocate: https://hocking.oh.gov/commonpleas/Forms
Hocking County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Hocking County DJFS, 350 State Route 664 N, Logan, OH 43138; (740) 385-5663. Establish, modify, collect, and enforce child support (including interstate cases).
Ohio Child Support Calculator. The official 2024 Income Shares calculator used to estimate child support before you file: https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/
Hocking County Prosecutor — Victim Services & Sheriff. Help filing a protection order: Prosecutor's Office of Victim Services (740) 385-5343; Hocking County Sheriff's Office (740) 385-2131.

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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney 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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