Filing for Dissolution in Lorain County, Ohio

Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

225 Court Street, 1st Floor, Elyria, OH 44035 • (440) 329-5187 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (no in-person payments after 4:00 p.m.)

Filing fee: $280–$380. Fee waiver available.

Important things to know about Lorain County

• Three judges (Glass, Janik, Swenski) — cases are randomly assigned.
• Filing fees are deposits — leftover balance refunded at least 30 days after the case closes; any overage must be paid before the case can be closed.
• Local Rule 8 parenting seminar has strict deadlines: the Clerk will NOT accept your filing without a 'Notice of Parenting Seminar' form for each parent, both parents must complete within 45 days of filing, and no final hearing happens until both are done.
• Fee waiver filings require a special step — drop forms off with the Assignment Commissioners on the 2nd floor BEFORE going to the Clerk's office.
• Online and phone payments accepted (nCourt portal or (440) 262-5270) — service fees apply.
• Spanish-language interpreter line: (440) 329-5471 — leave your name, case number, and phone number.
• Court dress code is enforced — if parties are not properly attired, the court may continue the hearing.
• Leave children at home for the hearing unless otherwise ordered.

Required forms (all cases)

• Dissolution Without Children — Ohio Supreme Court Forms Hub — Complete index of every Ohio standardized form needed for a dissolution without children.
• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Waiver of Service (Form 17) — The main joint petition — both spouses sign together and waive formal service.
• Separation Agreement (Form 19) — Spells out exactly how you've agreed to divide property, debts, spousal support, and all other terms. Both spouses sign.
• Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Affidavit 1) — Each spouse files their own — personal info, employment, income, monthly expenses.
• Affidavit of Property and Debt (Affidavit 2) — Each spouse files their own — all assets and debts.
• Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (Form 18) — Final court order ending your marriage — prepared in advance, signed by the Judge at your hearing.

Additional forms with minor children

• Dissolution With Children — Ohio Supreme Court Forms Hub — Complete index of every Ohio standardized form needed for a dissolution with children.
• 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. Both parents must sign.
• Parenting Plan (Form 21) — sole custody — Use if one parent will be residential — outlines parenting time for the non-residential parent.
• Parenting Judgment Entry (Form 22) — Court order naming the residential parent (sole-custody cases).
• Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Run the numbers in the Ohio Child Support Calculator, print the worksheet, and file it with your paperwork.
• Lorain County CSEA Forms (including IV-D Application) — Lorain County Child Support Enforcement Agency forms — required when child support orders are issued.
• Notice of Parenting Seminar (Local Rule 8) — REQUIRED — the Clerk will not accept your filing without one of these per parent. Register via the parenting seminar link in Free Resources.

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.