Dissolution in Putnam County

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

Putnam County, Ohio · Ottawa

A dissolution is Ohio's fully agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement (and a parenting plan if there are children) before filing, then jointly petition Judge Schierloh's Domestic Relations Division in Ottawa. No one is served and there are no fault grounds to prove — just a short hearing 30 to 90 days later where both spouses confirm the deal.

How does a dissolution work in Putnam County, Ohio?

Both spouses negotiate and sign a notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), and a parenting plan if you have children, then jointly file a Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the income and property affidavits and the $300 deposit at the Clerk of Courts, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3110. Ohio law sets the hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing, and Putnam targets a final hearing within 90 days. Both spouses attend and affirm the agreement, and the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18). With minor children, both parents must complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days of filing (Local Rule 41). If only one spouse has a lawyer, the unrepresented spouse must file a written waiver of representation (Local Rule 16).

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: Putnam County Court of Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Division

245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875
Phone: (419) 523-3110
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: putnamcountyohio.gov/courts/common-pleas-court/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Putnam County Juvenile & Probate Court
245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875
Phone: (419) 523-3012
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Dissolution is the right path if…

You both agree the marriage should end.
Property, debt, support, and parenting are already settled in writing.
You will both sign the paperwork and attend the final hearing.
At least one spouse has lived in Ohio for six months.

If you can't reach full agreement, or your spouse won't participate, you'll need a divorce instead. See divorce in Putnam County.

Filing Fees

$300 dissolution deposit · $50 special-project fee may apply · poverty-affidavit fee waiver available · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $300 deposit

Both spouses sign a notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), then jointly file the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the income and property affidavits and the $300 deposit. A single hearing 30–90 days later finalizes it with the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

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 — $300 deposit

Add a notarized parenting plan and the child-support worksheet to the Separation Agreement, then jointly file the Petition for Dissolution. Both parents must complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days (Local Rule 41) before the hearing.

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.
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.
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.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

How to File Dissolution in Putnam County

Reach a complete written agreement. Settle all property, debt, support, and parenting in a Separation Agreement (Form 19). With children, add a parenting plan and the child-support worksheet. Both spouses sign in front of a notary.
File the joint petition with the deposit. Jointly file the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the income and property affidavits and the $300 deposit at the Clerk of Courts, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa. No one is served. If only one spouse has a lawyer, the other files a waiver of representation (Local Rule 16).
Complete the A-OK parenting class (with children). Both parents complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days of filing (Local Rule 41) — in person or through the court-accepted online provider.
Attend the hearing 30–90 days later. Both spouses attend the hearing — not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing — and affirm the agreement. The judge signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

Putnam County Practice Notes

A Putnam-specific filing rule for unrepresented spouses. If only one spouse has a lawyer, the other (unrepresented) spouse must file a written waiver of representation (Local Rule 16). It's a small step that's easy to miss and can delay your hearing.
The A-OK parenting class has a 60-day clock. In any case with minor children, both parents must complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days of filing. Miss it and you cannot be granted an allocation of parental rights; if no party completes it, the case is dismissed (Local Rule 41). There is an in-person option and a court-accepted online provider — confirm registration details with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110.
How to get paperwork to the Putnam Clerk. There is no online e-filing portal. File in person or by mail at the Clerk of Courts, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), or fax filings (20 pages or fewer) to (419) 523-5284 or email cpefile@putnamcountyohio.gov — fax/email filing costs $3 per transmission plus $1 per page. Confirm current methods and fees with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Putnam County?: Ohio law sets the dissolution hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after the joint petition is filed, and Putnam targets a final hearing within that 90-day window. Both spouses must attend and affirm the agreement. With minor children, both parents must also complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days of filing (Local Rule 41).
What is the difference between an uncontested divorce and a dissolution in Putnam County?: A dissolution is Ohio's fully agreed, no-fault path: both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement first, file a joint petition, and appear together at a short hearing — no one is served and there are no grounds to prove. An uncontested divorce is still a divorce: you file a Complaint and serve your spouse, but it resolves without a trial because your spouse agrees or doesn't respond. In Putnam County both are heard by Judge Schierloh's Domestic Relations Division.
How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Putnam County?: The Domestic Relations schedule lists a $300 deposit for divorce and for dissolution. Other civil complaints (which can include legal separation and annulment) carry a $250 deposit — confirm the specific legal-separation or annulment amount with the Clerk. A special-project fee of $50 may also apply, and a Guardian ad Litem deposit is $800 for an attorney GAL or $400 for a CASA. If you can't afford the deposit, file a poverty affidavit for a fee waiver. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110.
Is a parenting class required for custody cases in Putnam County?: Yes. In any case with minor children — divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, or an allocation of parental rights — both parents must complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days of filing. Miss it and you cannot be granted an allocation of parental rights; if no party completes it, the case is dismissed (Local Rule 41). There is an in-person option and a court-accepted online provider. Confirm registration details with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110.
Can I file family-law paperwork online in Putnam County?: There is no online e-filing portal. File in person or by mail at the Clerk of Courts, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.), or fax filings of 20 pages or fewer to (419) 523-5284, or email cpefile@putnamcountyohio.gov — fax/email filing costs $3 per transmission plus $1 per page. Confirm current methods and fees with the Clerk at (419) 523-3110.

Free Local Resources in Putnam County

Putnam County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Provides current filing fees, the county's Domestic Relations forms, and filing instructions for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment. File in person or by mail at 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, or by fax/email (20 pages or fewer; $3 per transmission plus $1 per page) to (419) 523-5284 / cpefile@putnamcountyohio.gov. Call (419) 523-3110.
Putnam County Juvenile & Probate Court. Handles custody, parentage, and parenting time for never-married parents, non-parent custody, children-services cases, and adoption. Confirm its local forms and filing fees at (419) 523-3012.
Putnam County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Establishes paternity with free genetic testing, sets and reviews support administratively, and enforces orders by wage withholding. Payments run through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (2% processing fee). Call 567-376-3780.
Putnam County Pro Se Clinic (with Legal Aid of Western Ohio). A free instructional session on divorce, dissolution, and custody — educational, not legal representation. Schedule it at (419) 523-6200.
Putnam County Job & Family Services. Report concerns about a child's safety at 567-376-3777. In an immediate emergency, call 911.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official 2024 Income Shares worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.
Toledo family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Toledo metro.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Family Law Attorney at Gavvl Law.
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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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