Filing for Dissolution in Marion County, Ohio
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated May 27, 2026
Marion County's Family Court — created in 2003 by merging the Juvenile, Probate, and Domestic Relations Divisions — runs everything from dissolution to custody under one roof at 222 West Center Street in downtown Marion. Two Marion-specific traps matter most: (1) your proposed Decree of Dissolution must be submitted to the court at least 3 DAYS before the final hearing — late decrees can cost you your hearing date; and (2) the judgment must be journalized within 30 days of the hearing or the court may dismiss the case on its own motion. Marion uses its own lettered local forms (Form A through Form K) alongside the standard Ohio Supreme Court forms, accepts online payments through BridgePayment, and offers Zoom hearings when the Judge or Magistrate grants the motion. Documents must be typewritten, double-spaced, single-sided, on 8½ x 11 paper with a 2-inch top margin and 1-inch bottom margin.
Flat-fee dissolution for Marion County families
Traditional firms bill dissolution by the hour, and the final total is anyone's guess. We do it differently for Marion County families: one flat fee, quoted up front, with financing available and full representation on the table when it's warranted. This page also covers the local side for Marion County: court contacts in Marion, forms, and fee details.
- One flat fee, agreed up front. You approve the flat fee before any work starts — no hourly meter, and no surprise invoices later.
- Payments that fit your budget. Spread the cost with a payment plan, or use financing — so the flat fee works with your budget.
- Why Marion County families choose us. Because it's a flat fee, we're paid to resolve your dissolution case — not to run up hours — so nothing drags for the sake of billing. Licensed Ohio family-law attorneys serve Marion County and all 88 counties.
Flat-fee options
Flat-fee limited scope: we prepare your full dissolution petition and separation agreement for an agreed, no-court split.
- Dissolution: $1,750
- Dissolution with children: $2,300
Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.
Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.
Start your dissolution case or see payment plans & financing.
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) |
Marion County Family Court (Court of Common Pleas, Family Division)
222 West Center Street, Marion, OH 43302 • (740) 223-4060 • Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Filing fee: $273–$329. Fee waiver available.
Important things to know about Marion County
- Marion County's Family Court (created 2003) handles domestic relations, juvenile, AND probate matters under one division — uncommon in Ohio.
- Proposed Decree of Dissolution must be submitted to the court at LEAST 3 days before the final hearing.
- 30-day journalization deadline — if the judgment isn't prepared and submitted within 30 days of the hearing, the court may dismiss your case on its own motion.
- If you're dividing a pension/retirement plan, the QDRO must be submitted AT the final hearing with the Decree — not later.
- Marion uses its own lettered local forms (Form A through Form K) alongside Ohio Supreme Court standardized forms.
- Formatting rule: all documents must be typewritten or printed, double-spaced, single-sided, on 8½ x 11 paper with a 2-inch top margin and 1-inch bottom margin.
- Online payments accepted through the court's BridgePayment portal; e-filing available through the eServices portal.
- The Parenting Addendum (Form K) contains extensive mandatory language about child support, medical support, notification, and enforcement — it becomes part of your court order, so read it carefully.
Required forms (all cases)
- Form A — Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (one per party) — Marion County local version of the income/expenses affidavit. Each spouse files their own.
- Form B — Affidavit of Property and Debt (one per party) — Marion County local version of the property/debt affidavit. Each spouse files their own.
- Form F — Case Designation — Local intake form designating the type of case for the Clerk.
- Form G — Duty to Advise Court of Address Changes — Local form confirming each party's duty to keep the court informed of any address change.
- Form H — Request to Issue Wage Assessment — Local form requesting wage withholding for any support order.
- Petition for Dissolution and Waiver of Service (Form 17) — The main joint petition — both spouses sign together and waive formal service.
- Separation Agreement (Form 19) — Your full settlement on property, debt, and support. Both spouses must sign.
- Decree of Dissolution (Form 18) — Final court order ending the marriage. Must be submitted to the court at least 3 days BEFORE the final hearing.
- Civil Fee Waiver (if needed) — Marion County's fee waiver form for filers who can't afford the filing fee.
- Motion to Appear by Zoom (optional) — File this motion if you want to attend any hearing by Zoom; the Judge or Magistrate decides whether to grant it.
Additional forms with minor children
- Form C — Parenting Proceeding Affidavit — Marion's local version of the parenting affidavit — 5-year address history and any other court cases involving the children.
- Form D — Health Insurance Affidavit — Marion's local version of the health insurance affidavit. Documents each parent's ability to insure the children.
- Form I — Parenting Education — Marion's parenting education form — explains the required parenting course and registration.
- Form K — Parenting Addendum — Contains extensive mandatory language about child support, medical support, notifications, and enforcement. Becomes part of your court order — read it carefully.
- Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) — Option A — Use if both parents will share legal custody and significant parenting time. Both parents must sign.
- Parenting Plan (Form 21) — Option B, sole custody — Use if one parent will be residential — outlines the parenting time schedule. Pair with the Parenting Judgment Entry.
- Parenting Judgment Entry (Form 22) — Option B, sole custody — Sole-custody court order naming the residential parent.
- Rule 32B — Marion County Parenting Time Schedule (reference) — Marion's standard parenting time schedule — review to understand the court's expectations before drafting your own.
- Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Run the numbers in the Ohio Child Support Calculator, print the worksheet, and file it with your packet.
- IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Required when child support orders are issued. Contact Marion County CSEA directly for the application.
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.
Related guides
In-depth, attorney-written guides on dissolution, divorce, 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.
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.
