Filing for Dissolution in Madison County

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

Madison County, Ohio · London

A dissolution is a fully agreed, jointly filed end to a marriage. Both spouses sign a Separation Agreement (and, with children, a parenting plan) before filing — there is no service or contested hearing. It is filed at the General Division of the Madison County Court of Common Pleas through the Clerk of Courts, and the deposit is $300.

How do I file a dissolution in Madison County, Ohio?

Both spouses negotiate and sign a Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) resolving property, debt, and support — and, with children, a parenting plan and a child-support worksheet. Then file the Petition for Dissolution and Waiver of Service (Form 17) with the signed agreement, the financial affidavits (Affidavits 1 and 2), and the $300 deposit (plus the $100 Special Projects Fund fee) at the General Division through the Clerk of Courts, 1 N. Main St., London. The final hearing is held 30-90 days after filing; both spouses appear and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

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: Madison County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

1 N. Main Street, London, OH 43140
Phone: (740) 852-9776
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current public-counter hours with the Clerk)
Website: www.co.madison.oh.us/departments/court_system/common_pleas/index.php

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on everything: property, debt, support, and (if any) parenting.
You can both sign a complete written Separation Agreement before filing.
You want to avoid service of process and a contested hearing.
Both spouses are willing to appear together at the final hearing.

If you don't yet agree on everything, or your spouse won't participate, a divorce is the right path. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

$300 dissolution deposit (plus $100 Special Projects Fund fee) · fee waiver by Affidavit of Indigency · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 852-9776

Forms & Filing Packets

Joint dissolution packet (no minor children) — $300 deposit (plus $100 Special Projects Fund fee)

File the Petition for Dissolution and Waiver of Service (Form 17) with the signed Separation Agreement (Form 19), the financial affidavits, and the $300 deposit.

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.
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.
Common Pleas Clerk 2026 Filing-Fee Schedule (Madison County) — The Clerk's 2026 deposit schedule: divorce $450, dissolution $300, counterclaim $450, post-decree motion $400, contempt $400, jury demand $100. A $100 Special Projects Fund fee is collected from the cost deposit on each civil action.

Joint dissolution packet (with minor children) — $300 deposit (plus $100 Special Projects Fund fee)

Add the parenting and health-insurance affidavits, a parenting plan, and the child-support worksheet to the dissolution packet.

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.
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.
Health Insurance Affidavit (Ohio SC Affidavit 4) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
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.

How to File Dissolution in Madison County

Reach a complete agreement. Both spouses sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19) settling property, debt, and support; with children, also a parenting plan and support worksheet.
Assemble the petition packet. Complete the Petition for Dissolution and Waiver of Service (Form 17) and the financial affidavits (Affidavits 1 and 2).
File with the $300 deposit. File jointly at the Clerk of Courts, 1 N. Main St., London, (740) 852-9776, and pay the $300 deposit (plus the $100 Special Projects Fund fee), or file an Affidavit of Indigency.
Attend the final hearing. Within 30-90 days both spouses appear and affirm the agreement, and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

Madison County Practice Notes

No separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the General Division of the Madison County Court of Common Pleas (Judge Eamon P. Costello) — there is no separate Domestic Relations division. File through the Clerk of Courts (Erin Bauer), 1 N. Main St., P.O. Box 557, London 43140-0557, (740) 852-9776.
Domestic cases are referred to a magistrate (C.P. Loc.R. 6.1). Under C.P. Loc.R. 6.1, domestic-relations matters in the General Division are referred to a magistrate who hears the case and issues a decision. A party may file objections under Civ.R. 53, and Judge Costello then rules on the objections and enters the final order.
Parenting education may be ordered (confirm with the court). The Madison County skill does not name a single mandatory parenting seminar. A magistrate or judge may order parenting education in a divorce, dissolution, or custody case, so plan for it and confirm whether a class is required in your case. The standard parenting-time schedule (when parents do not agree otherwise) is C.P. Loc.R. 6.17.
Fee waiver if you can't afford the deposit. File an Affidavit of Indigency / Poverty Affidavit (the Supreme Court of Ohio uniform affidavit) with your case. In a divorce, annulment, or legal separation filed in forma pauperis, service is made by posting and mail (C.P. Loc.R. 2.3(B)).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to file a dissolution in Madison County?: The General Division dissolution deposit is $300 per the Clerk's 2026 schedule, plus the $100 Special Projects Fund fee collected from the cost deposit. It is an advance cost deposit. A fee waiver is available by filing an Affidavit of Indigency / Poverty Affidavit. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 852-9776.
Which court handles family-law cases in Madison County?: The General Division of the Madison County Court of Common Pleas (Judge Eamon P. Costello, 1 N. Main St., London) hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court, and most domestic matters are referred to a magistrate (C.P. Loc.R. 6.1). The combined Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Christopher J. Brown, 1 N. Main St., London) handles unmarried-parent parentage, custody, support, and parenting time (Juvenile, R.C. 2151.23) and adoptions (Probate). Domestic-relations cases are filed through the Clerk of Courts at (740) 852-9776.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Madison County?: The Madison County skill does not name a single mandatory parenting seminar. A magistrate or judge may order parenting education in a divorce, dissolution, or custody case, so plan for the possibility and confirm whether a class is required in your case with the court. The standard parenting-time schedule that applies when parents do not agree otherwise is set by C.P. Loc.R. 6.17.
Can I file in Madison County without paying the deposit?: Yes, if you cannot afford it. File an Affidavit of Indigency / Poverty Affidavit (the Supreme Court of Ohio uniform affidavit) with your case. In a divorce, annulment, or legal separation filed in forma pauperis, service is made by posting and mail (C.P. Loc.R. 2.3(B)). Confirm the current procedure with the Clerk at (740) 852-9776.

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.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.