Filing for Dissolution in Medina County, Ohio
Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 8, 2026
Medina County dissolutions are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division at 225 East Washington Street in Medina, with the Hon. Julie A. Schafer as Administrative Judge. A dissolution is the agreed path — both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement before filing the joint Petition — and the court hears it 30–90 days later, with both spouses appearing to confirm the agreement in open court. Filing deposits (effective 1/1/2024) are $325 without minor children and $350 with, and only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. Local forms are posted at medinadr.org/forms.html, and electronic filing is governed by Local Rule 10 (confirm current eligibility with the Clerk's Legal Division at (330) 725-9722). When children are involved, the FOCUS parenting class through Family Court Resources is due within 45 days of filing and before the final hearing.
Flat-fee dissolution for Medina County families
Most people searching for dissolution in Medina County want to know the price first. We answer with a flat fee — not an hourly estimate that balloons — plus financing and full-service representation when your case calls for it. Below you'll also find the Medina County court information — contacts in Medina, the forms you need, and local fee details.
- One flat fee, agreed up front. The price is fixed and quoted up front, so you're never billed by the hour or hit with add-ons after you begin.
- Payments that fit your budget. Can't pay it all at once? Payment plans and financing let you get started now and pay over time.
- Why Medina 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 Medina 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) |
Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division
225 East Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256 • (330) 725-9740 • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (payments must be completed before 4:00 p.m.)
Filing fee: $325–$350. Fee waiver available.
Important things to know about Medina County
- Under R.C. 2301.03(U), Medina decides all custody and parentage cases in the Domestic Relations Court — even for never-married parents — rather than Juvenile Court.
- Electronic filing is governed by Local Rule 10; confirm current e-filing eligibility with the Clerk's Legal Division at (330) 725-9722. The limited email-filing option (Motion to Continue, Interpreter, or Zoom-hearing request only) applies to the separate Probate & Juvenile Court, not Domestic Relations.
- Filing deposits (effective 1/1/2024) are $350 with minor children and $325 without; the deposit for cases with children covers the FOCUS parenting program.
- When children are involved, the FOCUS parenting class through Family Court Resources (234-802-0944) is due within 45 days of filing and before the final hearing.
- Children ages 6–17 attend the separate "What About Me?" seminar ($15 per child) unless the court excuses them.
- Both spouses must appear at the final hearing, held 30–90 days after filing, to confirm the Separation Agreement in open court.
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.
- Ohio Child Support Worksheet — Run the numbers in the Ohio Child Support Calculator, print the worksheet, and file it with your paperwork.
- Medina County CSEA — IV-D Application — Medina County Child Support Enforcement Agency — opens the support case so the order can be collected and enforced.
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.
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