Filing for Dissolution in Perry County

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

Perry County, Ohio · New Lexington

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 Perry County Court of Common Pleas through the Clerk of Courts, and the deposit is $235.

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

Both spouses negotiate and sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19.0) resolving property, debt, and support — and, with children, a parenting plan and a child-support worksheet. Then file the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Waiver (Form 17.0) with the signed agreement, the financial affidavits (Forms 1.0 and 2.0), and the $235 deposit at the General Division through the Clerk of Courts, 105 N. Main St., New Lexington. The final hearing is held 30-90 days after filing; both spouses appear and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution. Parents of minor children complete the OSU Extension co-parenting class before the final hearing.

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: Perry County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

105 N. Main Street, New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1022
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Local Rule 2)
Website: pccommonpleas.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court
105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 167, New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1118
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

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

$235 dissolution deposit · indigency affidavit reduces the deposit to $25 · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022

Forms & Filing Packets

Joint dissolution packet (no minor children) — $235 deposit (plus per-filing add-ons)

File the Petition for Dissolution and Waiver (Form 17.0) with the signed Separation Agreement (Form 19.0), the financial affidavits, and the $235 deposit.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage & Waiver (Perry Form 17.0) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Perry Form 19.0) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Perry Form 1.0) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Support income claims with the prior-year W-2 and the last six months of paystubs (Local Rule 18).
Affidavit of Property & Debt (Perry Form 2.0) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
General Division Forms Page (Perry County Common Pleas) — The General Division's central forms page. The General Division of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court.

Joint dissolution packet (with minor children) — $235 deposit (plus per-filing add-ons)

Add the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit, the Health Insurance Affidavit, a parenting plan, and the child-support worksheet. Both parents complete the co-parenting class before the final hearing.

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage & Waiver (Perry Form 17.0) — Both spouses file jointly, telling the court they have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (Perry Form 19.0) — The contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Affidavit of Basic Information, Income & Expenses (Perry Form 1.0) — Income, expenses, and basic financial information. Each party files their own. Support income claims with the prior-year W-2 and the last six months of paystubs (Local Rule 18).
Affidavit of Property & Debt (Perry Form 2.0) — Lists every asset and debt. Required at filing.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Perry Form 3.0) — 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 (Perry General Division) — Discloses whether health insurance is available for the children through either parent's employer, so the court can order medical support.
Parenting Plan (Perry Form 21.0) — Used where one parent will be designated the sole 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 Perry County

Reach a complete agreement. Both spouses sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19.0) 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 (Form 17.0) and the financial affidavits (Forms 1.0 and 2.0); include the IV-D/CSEA application where support is involved.
File with the $235 deposit. File jointly at the Clerk of Courts, 105 N. Main St., New Lexington, and pay the $235 deposit (or file an indigency affidavit to reduce it to $25).
Complete the co-parenting class (if children). Both parents complete OSU Extension's "Successful Co-Parenting" class before the final hearing.
Attend the final hearing. Within 30-90 days both spouses appear and affirm the agreement, and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution.

Perry County Practice Notes

No separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the General Division of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas — there is no separate Domestic Relations division. Judge Tina M. Boyer presides, with Magistrate / Court Administrator Jamie Farmer. File through the Clerk of Courts, 105 N. Main St. / P.O. Box 67, New Lexington 43764, (740) 342-1022.
Co-parenting class required with minor children (Local Rule 17). In any divorce or dissolution with minor children, both parents complete "Successful Co-Parenting: Helping Children Cope With Divorce," offered by OSU Extension Perry County, 104 S. Columbus St., Somerset, (740) 743-1602. The fee is $25 cash and you must pre-register about a week ahead (Local Rule 17(4)). In a divorce you attend after the answer date; in a dissolution you complete it before the final hearing. OSU Extension sends the completion verification directly to the court.
CSEA (IV-D) application required at filing (Local Rule 17). A IV-D Application for Child Support Services must accompany every new Domestic Relations filing involving support (Local Rule 17). There is no online form — obtain it from the Perry County Child Support Division, (740) 342-2278, or from Job & Family Services, (740) 342-3551.
Support runs through the Perry County Child Support Division. Child support is calculated under Ohio's 2024 Income Shares model and established, calculated, collected, and enforced through the Perry County Child Support Division (CSEA), (740) 342-2278. Support tied to a divorce/dissolution is ordered in the General Division; support for never-married parents is ordered in the Juvenile Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to file a dissolution in Perry County?: The General Division dissolution deposit is $235 per the Clerk's schedule, plus the standard per-filing add-ons. It is an advance cost deposit. A fee waiver is available by poverty affidavit (deposit reduced to $25). Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Perry County?: Yes, in any divorce or dissolution involving minor children. Both parents complete "Successful Co-Parenting: Helping Children Cope With Divorce," offered by OSU Extension Perry County, 104 S. Columbus St., Somerset ((740) 743-1602), under Local Rule 17(4). The fee is $25 cash and you must pre-register about a week ahead. In a divorce you attend after the answer date; in a dissolution you complete it before the final hearing. OSU Extension sends your completion verification directly to the court.
Which court handles family-law cases in Perry County?: The General Division of the Perry County Court of Common Pleas (105 N. Main St., New Lexington) hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court. The Probate & Juvenile Court (also 105 N. Main St.) handles unmarried-parent parentage, custody, support, and parenting time (Juvenile, under R.C. 2151.23) and adoptions (Probate). Domestic-relations cases are filed through the Clerk of Courts at (740) 342-1022.
Can I file in Perry County without paying the full deposit?: Yes, if you cannot afford it. File an indigency (poverty) affidavit with your case; the General Division deposit is then reduced to $25, and the Juvenile Court waives its deposit on a poverty affidavit. Confirm the current procedure with the Clerk at (740) 342-1022 (General Division) or (740) 342-1118 (Juvenile).

Free Local Resources in Perry County

Perry County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations). Clerk Wes Harlan, 105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 67, New Lexington, OH 43764; (740) 342-1022, fax (740) 342-5527. Files all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases. Forms at https://pccommonpleas.com/forms.php; e-file through the Henschen portal at https://efile.henschen.com/. The General Division (Judge Tina M. Boyer) hears all domestic-relations matters — there is no separate Domestic Relations court. The Clerk cannot give legal advice or fill out forms. Confirm current deposits before filing.
“Successful Co-Parenting” parenting class (OSU Extension, Perry County). 104 S. Columbus Street, Somerset, OH 43783; (740) 743-1602 (https://perry.osu.edu/). Required under Local Rule 17(4) for any divorce or dissolution with children under 18. Fee $25 cash, pre-register at least one week ahead. Attend after the answer date in a divorce, or before the final hearing in a dissolution. OSU Extension sends proof of completion directly to the court. Confirm the current schedule and fee when registering.
Perry County Probate & Juvenile Court. Judge Luann Cooperrider, 105 N. Main Street / P.O. Box 167, New Lexington, OH 43764 (https://perrycountyohio.gov/law-courts/perry-county-ohio-probate-and-juvenile-court/). Juvenile (740) 342-1118; Paternity/Custody Division (740) 342-5520; Probate (740) 342-1493. Hears unmarried-parent paternity, custody, parenting time, and non-parent custody (Juvenile) and adoptions (Probate), using the Supreme Court of Ohio standardized forms.
Perry County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). (740) 342-2278. Perry County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs automatic wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders through license suspension, tax intercept, and contempt referrals. File a IV-D Application whenever support is established or modified.
Perry County Job & Family Services / Children Services. (740) 342-3551. Investigates abuse, neglect, and dependency referrals and can file complaints in Juvenile Court. Statewide child-abuse hotline: 1-855-O-H-CHILD (1-855-642-4453).

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.