Filing for Dissolution in Lake County, Ohio

Lake County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

47 North Park Place, Painesville, OH 44077 • (440) 350-2708 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Filing fee: $306–$326. Fee waiver available.

Important things to know about Lake County

• Single-judge court — Hon. Colleen A. Falkowski hears all domestic relations cases.
• The Clerk of Courts is in a DIFFERENT building from the court — the court is at 47 North Park Place but you file and pay at the Clerk at 25 North Park Place (basement of the Courthouse Annex). A tunnel on the lower level of the main courthouse connects to the Clerk's office.
• Two separate parenting time rules: Local Rule 23A (standard, parents living close to each other) and Local Rule 23B (long-distance) — more detailed than most Ohio counties.
• Court provides complete dissolution packets with built-in checklists — one for with-children and one for without — so you can verify nothing is missing before you file.
• Spanish-language resources available: Spanish version of the Children in Between parenting class brochure and the Financial Disclosure/Indigency Application.
• If you represent yourself, you're held to the same standard as an attorney — staff cannot help you fill out forms or give legal advice.

Required forms (all cases)

• Dissolution Without Children — Forms and Checklist (Complete Packet) — Lake County's complete packet — every form you need plus a checklist to make sure nothing is missing.
• Case Designation Sheet — Tells the court what type of case you are filing. Required with every new case.
• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Waiver of Service (Form 17) — The main joint petition — both spouses sign together.
• Separation Agreement (Form 19) — Spells out exactly how you've agreed to divide property, debts, spousal support, and all other terms. Both spouses sign.
• Waiver of Service of Summons — Because you're filing jointly, both spouses waive formal service.
• Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1) — Each spouse files their own. Included in the dissolution packet.
• Affidavit of Property and Debt (Affidavit 2) — Each spouse files their own — all assets and debts. Included in the dissolution packet.
• Judgment Entry — Decree of Dissolution — Final court order ending your marriage — prepared in advance, signed by the Judge at the hearing.
• Judgment Entry Restoring Former Name (optional) — Use if either spouse wants to return to a former last name.

Additional forms with minor children

• Dissolution With Children — Forms and Checklist (Complete Packet) — Lake County's complete packet for cases with minor children — every form plus a checklist.
• Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Affidavit 3) — Required in every case with children — 5-year address history and any other court cases involving the children.
• Health Insurance Affidavit (Affidavit 4) — Each parent's access to health insurance for the children.
• Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) — Use if both parents will share legal custody and significant parenting time.
• Parenting Plan (Form 21) — sole custody — Use if one parent will be the residential parent.
• Local Rule 23A — Standard Parenting Time — Lake County's standard parenting time schedule for parents who live relatively close to each other.
• Local Rule 23B — Long Distance Parenting Time — Lake County's long-distance parenting time schedule for parents who live far apart.
• IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Required when child support orders are to be issued.
• Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Run the numbers in the Ohio Child Support Calculator, print the worksheet, and file it.
• Order to Report Change in Address (ORC 3109.051) — Required notification obligation for parents to report address changes.

Related to your dissolution

• Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
• Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.
• Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.