Filing for Dissolution in Preble County

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

Preble County, Ohio · Eaton

A dissolution is the agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage when you and your spouse settle everything in advance. You jointly file a Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with a signed Separation Agreement (Form 19) in the Preble County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, and both spouses appear at a hearing held 30–90 days later. No one is 'sued,' and there are no grounds to prove.

How does dissolution work in Preble County, Ohio?

You and your spouse first agree on everything and sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19) — property, debt, support, and (if you have children) a parenting plan and child-support worksheet. You then jointly file a Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the Preble County Clerk of Courts, 101 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Eaton, (937) 456-8160. The deposit is $400 without minor children or $500 with minor children. By R.C. 3105.64 the final hearing is held not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing; both spouses must appear and confirm they still agree. If you have minor children under 16, both must complete the Seminar for Separating Parents first.

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: Preble County Court of Common Pleas — General Division (Domestic Relations)

101 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Eaton, OH 45320
Phone: (937) 456-8160
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: preblecountyohio.net
e-Filing: https://pa.preblecountyohio.net/eservices/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Preble County Juvenile & Probate Court
101 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Eaton, OH 45320
Phone: (937) 456-8136
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed national holidays)

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on all issues — property, debt, support, and parenting.
Both of you are willing to sign a Separation Agreement and appear at the hearing.
You or your spouse meets Ohio's six-month residency requirement.
You want a faster, lower-conflict process than a contested divorce.
You don't need the court to decide any disputed issue for you.

If your spouse won't agree, won't sign, or can't be found, you need a divorce instead. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

$400 deposit without minor children · $500 deposit with minor children · $25/person Seminar for Separating Parents (from the cost deposit) when children are under 16 · poverty affidavit (fee waiver) available · final hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64) · confirm the exact amount with the Clerk at (937) 456-8160

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution with no minor children — $400 deposit (without minor children)

Sign the Separation Agreement (Form 19) before a notary, then jointly file the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with Affidavit 1 (income) and Affidavit 2 (property). Pay the $400 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.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

Dissolution with minor children — $500 deposit (with minor children)

Add Affidavit 3 (parenting proceeding / UCCJEA), Affidavit 4 (health insurance), the child-support worksheet, and a Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) or Parenting Plan (Form 21). Parents of children under 16 complete the Seminar for Separating Parents. Pay the $500 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.
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.
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.
Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
Preble County Model Parenting Time Schedule (effective Nov. 1, 2019) — The Domestic Relations Court's detailed, age-banded guideline parenting-time schedule. Posted under download forms at preblecountyohio.net; it guides companionship time when parents do not file their own agreed plan.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

How to File Dissolution in Preble County

Reach a full agreement. Settle property, debt, spousal support, and — if you have children — custody, parenting time, and child support, then put it in a Separation Agreement (Form 19).
Prepare and sign the petition packet. Complete the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), Affidavit 1 (income), Affidavit 2 (property), and, with children, Affidavit 3, Affidavit 4, the support worksheet, and a parenting plan. Sign before a notary.
File jointly with the deposit. File the joint petition with the Clerk and pay the $400/$500 deposit; if you can't afford it, file a poverty affidavit.
Complete the seminar if required. If you have minor children under 16, both parents complete the Seminar for Separating Parents before the final hearing.
Attend the 30–90 day hearing. Both spouses appear and confirm they still agree; the judge reviews the agreement and signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Preble County Practice Notes

Two separate courts: Common Pleas (Domestic Relations) and Juvenile. Preble County runs two separate family-law courts in the Preble County Courthouse, 101 East Main Street, Eaton. The Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Domestic Relations) on the 3rd floor (Hon. Stephen R. Bruns, Magistrate Erica J. Gordon, Clerk of Courts Shonda Haynes, (937) 456-8160) handles divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment — plus the custody, parenting time, and support that travel with them for married or divorcing parents. The separate Juvenile & Probate Court on the 2nd floor (Hon. Jenifer K. Overmyer, Magistrate K. Brent Copeland, Juvenile (937) 456-8136) handles paternity, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, and non-parent custody.
Seminar for Separating Parents (Local Rule DR 26). All parents in a divorce, legal separation, or dissolution in which there are any minor children under sixteen (16) must attend the Court-sponsored educational Seminar for Separating Parents, within 60 days after filing or service. Each parent registers at least one week ahead. The $25.00-per-person seminar fee is paid from the deposit for court costs filed with the initial complaint. No action proceeds to a final hearing until the parents have complied (a parent who never appears does not delay the hearing by not attending). The requirement may be waived by the Court for good cause, and the Court may also order it with post-decree custody or parenting-time motions. Confirm the current schedule and proof-of-completion procedure with the Clerk at (937) 456-8160.
E-filing is required; some filings are paper exceptions. E-filing is required for all civil, criminal, dissolution, and divorce filings through the Preble County Clerk of Courts e-Filing system (https://pa.preblecountyohio.net/eservices/). Paper filings are accepted only for pro se (self-represented) filers, garnishments, Court of Appeals filings, and civil protection orders. Pro se filers bring the original plus 4 copies of each document and the deposit to the Clerk's Office, 101 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Eaton. Proposed orders are uploaded as Word documents with a 2-inch signature space at the end. Court staff give procedural information but cannot give legal advice or complete forms. Confirm accepted payment methods with the Clerk at (937) 456-8160.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an uncontested divorce the same as a dissolution in Preble County?: No. A dissolution is a joint filing used only when you and your spouse already agree on everything and sign a Separation Agreement first; there is no party being sued. An uncontested (default-style) divorce is still a lawsuit — a divorce is uncontested unless the defendant files an answer within 28 days of service — used when your spouse won't participate, won't sign, or can't be found (served by posting or publication), and the court grants the divorce on your evidence.
How long does a dissolution take in Preble County?: By statute the final hearing is held not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after the joint petition is filed (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear at the hearing and confirm they still agree, or the dissolution is dismissed. If there are minor children under 16, both parents must complete the Seminar for Separating Parents before the final hearing.
How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Preble County?: Per the Clerk's current pro se filing information, the Domestic Relations deposit is $400.00 without minor children and $500.00 with minor children; a counterclaim is $500.00. A separate $25.00-per-person Seminar for Separating Parents fee is paid from the cost deposit when there are minor children under 16. Other deposit items under Local Rule DR 34 include re-opening a case $220.00, a QDRO filing $65.00, a subpoena $20.00, a garnishment $115.00, and a Court of Appeals filing $225.00. These are deposits and the final cost can differ — confirm the exact amount at the time of filing with the Clerk at (937) 456-8160. If you cannot afford the deposit, file a poverty affidavit.
Is a parenting class required in Preble County?: Yes, when minor children under sixteen (16) are involved. Under Local Rule DR 26, all parents in a divorce, legal separation, or dissolution with minor children under 16 must attend the Court-sponsored Seminar for Separating Parents within 60 days after filing or service. Each parent registers at least one week ahead, and the $25.00-per-person fee is paid from the cost deposit. No case proceeds to a final hearing until the parents comply, though the Court may waive it for good cause. Confirm the current schedule and proof-of-completion procedure with the Clerk at (937) 456-8160.
What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Preble County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least six months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), with proper Preble County venue under Civ.R. 3. For dissolution, only the six-month Ohio residency applies. There is no separate county-residency rule. For Juvenile Court cases (parentage, never-married custody, support), Ohio must be the child's 'home state' under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127) — generally the child has lived in Ohio for the last six consecutive months. Confirm any specific venue question with the Clerk at (937) 456-8160.

Free Local Resources in Preble County

Preble County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations). Local forms, the Model Parenting Time Schedule, the Standard Parenting Time Order, and filing information for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, and protection orders at https://preblecountyohio.net. E-filing is required (pro se filers may file on paper); the Clerk of Courts (Shonda Haynes, (937) 456-8160) handles intake at 101 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Eaton. Court staff cannot give legal advice or complete forms.
Preble County Juvenile & Probate Court. Handles never-married-parent parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support, plus non-parent custody, at 101 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Eaton (Hon. Jenifer K. Overmyer; Magistrate K. Brent Copeland). Juvenile Court (937) 456-8136; Probate Court (937) 456-8137. Website https://prebleohiojuvenileprobate.org. Confirm current deposits and genetic-testing costs with the court.
Preble County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Opens IV-D cases, establishes paternity administratively, runs the Ohio Income Shares calculation, collects support by wage withholding, and enforces orders. Located at 1500 Park Avenue, Eaton, OH 45320; phone (937) 456-1499. Support payments run through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.
Child abuse / neglect hotline. Report suspected child abuse or neglect to Preble County Job & Family Services — Children Services at 1500 Park Avenue, Eaton: 24-hour hotline (937) 456-1135, Option 1. Statewide hotline 1-855-642-4453 (1-855-O-H-CHILD), 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.

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.
Dayton family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Dayton 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.

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