Legal Separation in Licking County

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

Licking County, Ohio · Newark

A legal separation divides property and debt and sets support and parenting orders without ending the marriage. People choose it for religious reasons, to preserve health-insurance or other benefits, or when residency for divorce is not yet met. It is heard by the Licking County Domestic Relations Court, and the pleadings mirror a divorce.

How do I file for legal separation in Licking County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Legal Separation, plus the same financial and (if you have children) parenting affidavits used in a divorce, in the Licking County Domestic Relations Court, 75 E. Main Street, Newark. A legal separation divides property and debt and sets support and parenting orders without ending the marriage. If children are involved, the parenting-education seminar requirement applies. Legal separation is not separately itemized on the fee schedule; per the Clerk it uses the divorce filing fee ($400) — confirm at filing with the Clerk at (740) 670-5400.

Ohio Legal Separation by the Numbers

Stay married A legal separation decree does not end the marriage — neither spouse may remarry Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17
No residency rule Unlike a divorce, a legal separation has no 6-month Ohio residency requirement before filing Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
Full orders The court can divide property and order spousal support, custody, and child support Source: Ohio Revised Code §§ 3105.171, 3105.18
Can convert A legal separation does not stop either spouse from later filing for divorce Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Ohio

Question	Legal separation	Divorce
Are you still legally married?	Yes — you stay married	No — the marriage ends
Can you remarry afterward?	No	Yes
Divides marital property and debts?	Yes	Yes
Can it order support, custody, and parenting time?	Yes	Yes
Ohio residency required to file?	Not required	6 months in Ohio
Can it later become a divorce?	Yes — either spouse can still file	It already ends the marriage

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)

Legal Separation is the right path if…

You want court orders on property, support, and parenting but do not want to end the marriage.
You have a reason to stay legally married — religious, health-insurance or other benefits, or unmet residency.
You can file the same financial and parenting affidavits used in a divorce.
If you have minor children, you can complete the parenting seminar.

Filing Fees

Legal separation is not separately itemized on the Domestic Division fee schedule; per the Clerk it uses the divorce filing fee ($400). Parenting seminar cost is set by The Woodlands if you have children. 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

File for legal separation — Uses the divorce filing fee ($400) per the Clerk (not separately itemized) — confirm at filing

Filed in the Licking County Domestic Relations Court. The pleadings mirror a divorce, but the marriage is not ended.

Complaint for Legal Separation (Ohio Uniform Domestic Relations Forms) — The legal-separation complaint mirrors the divorce complaint but asks the court to divide property and set support/parenting orders WITHOUT ending the marriage. Use the Ohio Uniform Domestic Relations Forms posted on the Licking County Domestic Relations forms page.
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.
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.
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.

How to File Legal Separation in Licking County

Confirm legal separation fits your goal. Choose legal separation when you want court orders on property, support, and parenting but want to stay legally married.
Prepare the complaint and affidavits. File a Complaint for Legal Separation with the income/expense, property, and (if children) UCCJEA and health-insurance affidavits and a support worksheet.
File with the Clerk and serve your spouse. File at the Domestic Relations Court, 75 E. Main Street, Newark (the Clerk applies the $400 divorce fee), and serve your spouse.
Complete the seminar and attend the hearing. Complete the parenting seminar if you have children, then attend the hearing where the court enters the separation orders.

Licking County Practice Notes

Marriage is not ended. A legal separation divides property and debt and sets support and parenting orders without ending the marriage. People choose it for religious reasons, to preserve health-insurance or other benefits, or when the residency requirement for divorce is not yet met.
Pleadings mirror a divorce. The Complaint for Legal Separation is filed with the same financial and parenting affidavits used in a divorce. If children are involved, the parenting-education seminar requirement applies.
"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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is legal separation different from divorce in Licking County?: A legal separation divides property and debt and sets support and parenting orders without ending the marriage. People choose it for religious reasons, to preserve health-insurance or other benefits, or when residency for divorce is not yet met. The pleadings mirror a divorce, and if children are involved the parenting-education seminar applies. Legal separation is not separately itemized on the fee schedule; per the Clerk it uses the divorce fee ($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.

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 legal separation case

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

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on legal separation 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 to File for Divorce in Ohio: A Step-by-Step Guide — Filing for divorce in Ohio follows a defined path: confirm residency, choose your grounds, file the complaint, serve your spouse, and work toward temporary orders and a final decree. Here is how each step works.
Spousal Support in Ohio: How Alimony Is Decided — Ohio has no fixed alimony formula. Courts weigh 14 statutory factors to decide whether spousal support is appropriate, how much, and for how long. Here's how it works.

Keep exploring

Ohio Legal Separation guide — Statewide overview of legal separation in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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