Filing for Dissolution in Jefferson County

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

Jefferson County, Ohio · Steubenville

A dissolution is Ohio's agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement first, then file jointly — there is no plaintiff or defendant and no one has to prove fault. In Jefferson County, dissolutions are filed in the Domestic Division of the Court of Common Pleas and heard 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). If you cannot agree on everything, a divorce is the right path instead.

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

First, you and your spouse settle everything — property, debts, support, and (with children) custody and parenting time — in a written Separation Agreement, both signed before a notary. Then file a joint Petition for Dissolution with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts using the Clerk's dissolution packet, attach the local Appendix E asset/debt disclosure, and pay the deposit (cash, money order, or online card — no personal checks). The court sets a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64); both spouses attend, confirm the agreement is still wanted and fair, and the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.

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: Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas, General Division — Domestic Division

301 Market Street, Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: (740) 283-8583
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Website: jeffersoncountyoh.com/court/common-pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Jefferson County Juvenile Court
Jefferson County Justice Center, 12001 State Route 7, Steubenville, OH 43952
Phone: (740) 283-8557
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

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 are willing to sign a written Separation Agreement before a notary and attend one hearing together.
You (or your spouse) meet the 6-month Ohio residency requirement (R.C. 3105.03).
You can complete the local Appendix E asset/debt disclosure and file it with the petition.

Can't agree on every issue, or your spouse won't participate? File a divorce instead. See Jefferson County divorce.

Filing Fees

Joint petition deposit set by the Clerk · the local Appendix E asset/debt disclosure is required · hearing held 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64) · the Clerk accepts cash, money order, or online card/debit — NO personal checks. Confirm current amounts with the Jefferson County Clerk of Courts at (740) 283-8583 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — Dissolution deposit set by the Clerk — confirm before filing

Use the Clerk's Without-Children dissolution packet. File the joint petition with the signed separation agreement and Appendix E asset/debt disclosure.

Dissolution Without Children Packet (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The Clerk's joint dissolution packet for spouses with no minor children, filed together with a signed separation 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.
Financial Disclosure Affidavit (Jefferson County Domestic Division) — The Domestic Division's income, expense, asset, and debt disclosure. Local rule requires it on file at least 14 days before a contested hearing.

Dissolution with minor children — Dissolution deposit set by the Clerk — confirm before filing

Use the Clerk's With-Children dissolution packet and add a parenting plan and the Ohio child-support worksheet to the separation agreement.

Dissolution With Children Packet (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — The Clerk's joint dissolution packet for spouses with minor children — petition, separation agreement, and parenting paperwork to file together once everything is agreed.
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 (Jefferson County Clerk of Courts) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom, confirming Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127.23). Required in any case with minor children.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens or links your case with the Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (under Jefferson County Job & Family Services, (740) 282-0961) so support is collected by wage withholding and enforced. Request the application from the CSEA.

How to File Dissolution in Jefferson 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.
Complete the Clerk's dissolution packet. Use the With-Children or Without-Children dissolution packet from the Domestic Forms page and complete the local Appendix E asset/debt disclosure.
File the joint petition. File the Petition for Dissolution with the signed agreement and Appendix E at 301 Market Street, Steubenville, and pay the deposit (cash, money order, or online card).
Attend the hearing 30–90 days later. Both spouses attend the hearing set 30 to 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64), confirm the agreement, and the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Jefferson County Practice Notes

Appendix E asset/debt disclosure is required. Jefferson County's Domestic Division requires the local Appendix E asset and debt disclosure with a dissolution. Complete it fully — an incomplete disclosure is a common reason a dissolution hearing is reset.
The hearing is set 30 to 90 days after filing. By statute (R.C. 3105.64) the dissolution hearing is held no sooner than 30 and no later than 90 days after the joint petition is filed. Both spouses must attend and confirm they still want the dissolution and that the agreement is fair.
Everything must be agreed before you file. A dissolution only works if the Separation Agreement resolves every issue. If a dispute surfaces, the case can be converted to or refiled as a divorce. The Clerk does not accept personal checks for the deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Jefferson County?: By statute (R.C. 3105.64) the dissolution hearing is held no sooner than 30 and no later than 90 days after the joint petition is filed. Both spouses must attend the hearing, confirm they still want the dissolution, and confirm the Separation Agreement is fair, after which the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution.
What is the Appendix E disclosure in a Jefferson County dissolution?: Jefferson County's Domestic Division requires the local Appendix E asset and debt disclosure with a dissolution. It lists each spouse's assets and debts so the court can confirm the Separation Agreement is complete and fair. An incomplete Appendix E is a common reason a dissolution hearing is reset.
How do I pay the filing deposit in Jefferson County?: The Jefferson County Clerk of Courts accepts cash, money order, or online credit/debit card (with a processing fee) — it does NOT accept personal checks. E-filing is still under construction, so filings are made in person or by mail. If you cannot afford the deposit, file the Affidavit of Indigency to ask the court to waive or delay it.
How long must I live in Ohio before filing for divorce in Jefferson County?: You (or your spouse) must have lived in Ohio at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), with Jefferson County venue. Jefferson County does not add a separate county-residency period. For never-married parents filing in the Juvenile Court, Ohio must be the children's home state under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127) — generally, the children have lived in Ohio for the last 6 consecutive months.

Free Local Resources in Jefferson County

Jefferson County Clerk of Courts (Andrew Plesich). 301 Market Street, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 283-8583. Hosts the Domestic Forms page (jeffersoncountyohcoc.com/domestic-forms) with the divorce, dissolution, fee-waiver, and protection-order packets, and confirms current deposits. Accepts cash, money order, or online card/debit — not personal checks. E-filing is under construction.
Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Under Jefferson County Job & Family Services, 125 South Fifth Street, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 282-0961 (jcdjfs.com). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding (2% processing fee), and can establish paternity administratively.
Jefferson County Juvenile Court. Jefferson County Justice Center, 12001 State Route 7, Steubenville, OH 43952; (740) 283-8557 (jeffersoncountyprobatejuvenile.com/juvenile-court). Hears never-married parentage and custody, non-parent custody, and parenting time; publishes the Local Parenting Time Guidelines.
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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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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