Filing for Dissolution in Licking County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 17, 2026

Licking County, Ohio · Newark

A dissolution is the fully-agreed way to end a marriage in Ohio. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement (and a Shared Parenting Plan if they have children) before filing in the Licking County Domestic Relations Court — there are no fault grounds and no contested issues. Ohio requires the final hearing 30–90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend and confirm the agreement.

How does dissolution work in Licking County, Ohio?

Both spouses must first agree on everything — property and debt division, spousal support, and (if there are children) custody, parenting time, child support, health insurance, and tax matters. You then jointly file a Petition for Dissolution with a signed Separation Agreement (and a Shared Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet if you have children) in the Licking County Domestic Relations Court. The filing fee is $400. The final hearing is held 30–90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend. Parents with minor children must complete the "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" seminar. Confirm scheduling with the Clerk at (740) 670-5400.

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: Licking County Domestic Relations Court

75 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 670-5400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–Noon and 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: lickingcounty.gov/depts/domestic/default.htm
e-Filing: https://efileoh.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Licking County Probate & Juvenile Court
1 North Park Place, Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 670-5624
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every term — property, debt, spousal support, and all parenting and support issues.
You can both sign a complete Separation Agreement in front of a notary before filing.
You can both attend the final hearing 30–90 days after filing.
If you have children, you can complete the parenting seminar and submit a Shared Parenting Plan and support worksheet.

Filing Fees

Dissolution: $400 deposit. Parenting seminar cost is set by The Woodlands. Mediation through the Mediation Coordinator ((740) 670-5409) is available to close small gaps before everything can be agreed. A fee waiver is available if you can't afford the deposit. Confirm current amounts with the Licking County Clerk of Courts at (740) 670-5400 before filing.

Forms & Filing Packets

Agreed dissolution — $400 dissolution deposit — confirm with the Clerk

Both spouses jointly file after signing a complete Separation Agreement. Filed in the Licking County Domestic Relations Court; the final hearing is set 30–90 days out.

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.
Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
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.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Ohio SC Affidavit 1) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Must be notarized.

How to File Dissolution in Licking County

Reach a complete agreement. Agree on all property and debt division, spousal support, and — if you have children — allocation of parental rights, parenting time, child support, health insurance, and tax matters.
Sign the Separation Agreement. Both spouses sign the Separation Agreement in front of a notary; add a Shared Parenting Plan if you have children.
File the Petition for Dissolution jointly. File the Petition, Separation Agreement, financial and health-insurance affidavits, and (if children) the UCCJEA affidavit and support worksheet with the Clerk, and pay the $400 deposit.
Complete the parenting seminar (if you have children). Both spouses complete the "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" seminar and file the certificate before the hearing.
Attend the final hearing 30–90 days after filing. Both spouses must attend and confirm to the court that they still agree to the terms; the court then signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Licking County Practice Notes

"Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" seminar is mandatory. Everyone with minor children who files for divorce or dissolution in Licking County must complete the "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" Seminar by The Woodlands (about 90 minutes online or a 2-hour in-person class). Register at www.thewoodland.org or (740) 349-7066, and file the certificate of completion before the final hearing. Both parents are typically required to attend.
Court mediation through Christopher R. Meyer. The Domestic Relations Court offers mediation for divorce and post-divorce parenting disputes. Contact Mediation Coordinator Christopher R. Meyer at (740) 670-5409 for an assessment; suitable parties are referred to a court-approved mediator. Any mediated agreement is not binding until approved by the parties' attorneys (if any) and the judge or magistrate. A domestic-violence victim may decline mediation and may bring a support person.
e-Filing via eFileOH (with exceptions). The Clerk of Common Pleas uses eFileOH (Tyler Technologies) for the General and Domestic Relations Divisions. Documents are PDF, one per filing code, 35 MB max, signed /s/Name. Some filings cannot be e-filed — including protection-order (CPO) petitions, registration of foreign judgments/decrees, garnishments, depositions, and transcripts — and fax filings are not accepted. Ask the separate Probate & Juvenile Court ((740) 670-5624) about its own e-filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Licking County?: Ohio requires the final hearing 30–90 days after a dissolution is filed, and both spouses must attend and confirm the agreement. Because a dissolution requires a complete Separation Agreement (and a Shared Parenting Plan if you have children) before filing, the timeline depends on how quickly you reach full agreement. The dissolution filing fee is $400.
How much does it cost to file a family-law case in Licking County?: In the Domestic Relations Court, divorce, dissolution, and parentage are each $400, a counterclaim is $250, a post-decree motion/reopen is $200, and a QDRO is $50. In the Probate & Juvenile Court, a Complaint for Custody is $250.00 and a Motion for Further Hearing is $50.00. A DVCPO petition has no filing fee. If you can't afford the deposit, file a Poverty Affidavit / Affidavit of Indigency. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 670-5400.
Is a parenting class required in Licking County?: Yes. Everyone with minor children who files for divorce or dissolution in Licking County must complete the "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" Seminar by The Woodlands — about 90 minutes online or a 2-hour in-person class. Register at www.thewoodland.org or (740) 349-7066. File the certificate of completion before the final hearing; both parents are typically required to attend.
Does Licking County offer mediation?: Yes. The Domestic Relations Court has a Mediation Coordinator, Christopher R. Meyer, (740) 670-5409. A court mediator does an assessment, then usually refers parties to a court-approved mediator. Any agreement is not binding until approved by the parties' attorneys (if any) and the judge or magistrate. Mediation can be used even before a case is filed, and a domestic-violence victim may decline mediation or bring a support person.

Free Local Resources in Licking County

Licking County Clerk of Courts — Domestic Relations. 75 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055; (740) 670-5400, fax (740) 670-5419. Provides current filing deposits, the Domestic Relations forms, rules & guides page (https://lickingcounty.gov/depts/domestic/forms_rules.htm), and CPO packets. Clerk of Common Pleas: Olivia C. Parkinson.
Licking County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 65 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055; (740) 670-5998 or 1-800-513-1128 (https://lickingcounty.gov/depts/csea/). Opens IV-D cases, sets and collects support by wage withholding, and enforces orders. CSEA enforces the court's order; it does not represent either parent.
Parenting seminar — "Helping Children Succeed After Divorce" (The Woodlands). Required for everyone with minor children who files for divorce or dissolution. About 90 minutes online or a 2-hour in-person class. Register at www.thewoodland.org or (740) 349-7066 (online tech support ext. 241).
Licking County Domestic Relations Mediation. Mediation Coordinator Christopher R. Meyer, (740) 670-5409 (https://lickingcounty.gov/depts/domestic/mediation.htm). Offers assessment and referral to a court-approved mediator for divorce and post-divorce parenting disputes. A domestic-violence victim may decline mediation or bring a support person.
The Center for New Beginnings (domestic-violence help). Helps victims obtain a protection order and offers free confidential housing and services: (740) 345-4498 or (740) 349-8719, toll-free 1-800-686-2760.
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (SEOLS) — Newark. 15 West Locust Ave., Suite A, Newark, OH 43055; (740) 345-0850 or 1-888-831-9412. Free civil legal help for those who qualify.

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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