Filing for Dissolution in Jackson County

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

Jackson County, Ohio

A dissolution is Ohio's agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage. Both spouses are co-petitioners — there is no plaintiff or defendant and no fault to prove. You settle everything in a written Separation Agreement first, then file jointly in the General Division of the Jackson County Court of Common Pleas. The hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64), and both spouses must appear.

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

First settle every issue — property, debts, spousal support, and (with children) custody, parenting time, and child support — in a written Separation Agreement. Then file a joint Petition for Dissolution with the Jackson County Clerk of Courts using the Clerk's Dissolution With Children or Without Children packet, attach the required affidavits, and pay the $400 deposit (cash, check, credit card, or money order). Bring the original plus 2 copies of most forms and the original plus 5 copies of the Separation Agreement. The court sets a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64); both spouses appear and affirm the agreement, and the court signs the Decree of Dissolution. A proposed decree must be on file within the 90-day window or the petition is dismissed (Local Rule 29.6).

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: Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Domestic Relations)

226 East Main Street, Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2006
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Website: www.jacksoncountyohio.us/elected-officials/common-pleas-court/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, Probate & Juvenile Division
350 Portsmouth Street #101, Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6405
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on everything — property, debts, spousal support, and, with children, custody, parenting time, and child support.
Both of you will sign the Separation Agreement before a notary and appear together at one hearing.
At least one spouse has been an Ohio resident for 6 months (R.C. 3105.03).
You can prepare the Separation Agreement in the original plus 5 copies and complete Affidavits 1 and 2 (they cannot be waived).

Can't agree on every issue, or your spouse won't appear in court? File a divorce instead. See Jackson County divorce.

Filing Fees

Dissolution deposit: $400 flat — the same with or without children · the Separation Agreement is filed in the original plus 5 copies · hearing held 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64) · the Clerk accepts cash, check, credit card, or money order. Filing fees and local procedures change — always confirm the current amount and requirements with the Jackson County Clerk of Courts at (740) 286-2006 (General Division) or the Probate & Juvenile Division at (740) 286-6405 before you file.

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $400 deposit (cash, check, credit card, or money order)

Use the Clerk's Dissolution Without Children packet — Petition (Form 17), Separation Agreement (Form 19, original + 5 copies), and Affidavits 1–2.

Jackson County Dissolution Without Children Packet — The Clerk's joint-petition packet for an agreed dissolution with no minor children. Bundles the Petition (Form 17), Separation Agreement (Form 19, original + 5 copies), and Affidavits 1–2.
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.

Dissolution with minor children — $400 deposit (same as without children)

Use the Clerk's Dissolution With Children packet and add a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) or Parenting Plan (Form 21), the child-support worksheet, and Affidavits 3–4.

Jackson County Dissolution With Children Packet — The Clerk's joint-petition packet for an agreed dissolution with minor children. Bundles the Petition (Form 17), Separation Agreement (Form 19, original + 5 copies), a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) or Parenting Plan (Form 21), the child-support worksheet, and Affidavits 1–4.
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.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
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.
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.

How to File Dissolution in Jackson County

Reach a full agreement. Settle property, debts, spousal support, and — with children — custody, parenting time, and child support in a written Separation Agreement signed before a notary.
Assemble the Clerk's packet. Use the Dissolution With Children or Without Children packet; prepare the Separation Agreement in the original plus 5 copies and complete Affidavits 1–2 (and 3–4 with children).
File and pay. File the joint petition with the Clerk on the 3rd floor and pay the $400 deposit. The petition includes a waiver of service, so no one is served.
Attend the hearing 30–90 days later. Both spouses appear, confirm the agreement is still wanted and fair, and submit the proposed decree within the 90-day window. The Clerk mails the certified decree about 7–10 days afterward.

Jackson County Practice Notes

The financial affidavits cannot be waived. Even in a fully agreed dissolution, Affidavits 1 and 2 (the Appendix C financial disclosures) are required and not waivable (Local Rule 18.2). An incomplete disclosure is a common reason a hearing is reset.
The 90-day jurisdictional cutoff is enforced strictly. By statute the hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Jackson County dismisses the petition if a proposed Decree of Dissolution (Form 18) is not on file within 90 days — even if a hearing already occurred (Local Rule 29.6). Pre-trials are not scheduled in dissolutions (Local Rule 25.1).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Jackson County?: By statute the hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Jackson County enforces the 90-day jurisdictional cutoff strictly — if a proposed Decree of Dissolution is not on file within 90 days, the petition is dismissed even if a hearing already occurred (Local Rule 29.6).
Do we still need financial affidavits in an agreed dissolution in Jackson County?: Yes. Affidavits 1 and 2 (the financial disclosures) are required and cannot be waived, even in a fully agreed dissolution (Local Rule 18.2). Pre-trials are not scheduled in dissolutions (Local Rule 25.1).
How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Jackson County?: The deposit is a flat $400 — the same whether or not you have children (effective 2/1/2025). An answer or counterclaim carries its own $200 deposit. A fee waiver is available by poverty affidavit (Local Rule 2.3). Always confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 286-2006.
How can I pay the filing fee in Jackson County?: The Jackson County Clerk of Courts accepts cash, check, credit card, or money order for the General Division deposit. If you cannot afford the deposit, file the Financial Disclosure / Fee-Waiver Affidavit (Local Rule 2.3).
What are the residency requirements to file in Jackson County?: For a divorce, the filing spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03) and a resident of Jackson County for at least 90 days, or the defendant must reside in Jackson County. For a dissolution, at least one spouse must have been an Ohio resident for 6 months, and both petitioners consent to venue.

Free Local Resources in Jackson County

Jackson County Clerk of Courts (Seth I. Michael). 226 East Main Street #9, 3rd Floor, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-2006. Files all General Division domestic-relations cases and hosts the DR forms page (jcclerk.com/page3.html) with the divorce, dissolution, and fee-waiver packets. Online records and e-filing registration are at jcclerk.com/page2.html (self-represented filers may use e-filing but are not required to — Local Rule 3.1). Accepts cash, check, credit card, or money order.
Jackson County Probate & Juvenile Division. 350 Portsmouth Street #101, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-6405 (jcjuvenilecourt.com). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and companionship; the local forms page is jcjuvenilecourt.com/forms/ and the Visitation Guidelines set the default parenting-time schedule.
Jackson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Jackson County Job & Family Services, 25 E. South Street, Jackson, OH 45640; (740) 286-4181, Option 3 (jacksoncountyjfs.org). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding, and can establish paternity administratively through a Genetic Test/Administrative Order.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov — run the 2024 Income Shares worksheet yourself before filing so you know the likely support amount.

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.

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