Legal Separation in Putnam County

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

Putnam County, Ohio · Ottawa

Legal separation is a court case that divides property and debt and orders support and parenting while you stay legally married. People choose it for religious, insurance, or personal reasons. In Putnam County it's filed in Judge Schierloh's Domestic Relations Division and mirrors a divorce in structure — you can later file a divorce or dissolution to end the marriage.

How do I file for legal separation in Putnam County, Ohio?

File a complaint for legal separation (R.C. 3105.17) in the Domestic Relations Division through the Clerk of Courts, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, (419) 523-3110, with the income and property affidavits and, with children, the Parenting Affidavit and child-support worksheet. The civil-complaint deposit is $250 — confirm the specific legal-separation amount with the Clerk, since the schedule lists divorce and dissolution at $300. The A-OK parenting class applies within 60 days if there are minor children (Local Rule 41). The case mirrors a divorce, but you stay legally married; you can later file a divorce or dissolution.

Ohio Legal Separation by the Numbers

Stay married A legal separation decree does not end the marriage — neither spouse may remarry Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17
No residency rule Unlike a divorce, a legal separation has no 6-month Ohio residency requirement before filing Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
Full orders The court can divide property and order spousal support, custody, and child support Source: Ohio Revised Code §§ 3105.171, 3105.18
Can convert A legal separation does not stop either spouse from later filing for divorce Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Ohio

Question	Legal separation	Divorce
Are you still legally married?	Yes — you stay married	No — the marriage ends
Can you remarry afterward?	No	Yes
Divides marital property and debts?	Yes	Yes
Can it order support, custody, and parenting time?	Yes	Yes
Ohio residency required to file?	Not required	6 months in Ohio
Can it later become a divorce?	Yes — either spouse can still file	It already ends the marriage

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.

Legal Separation is the right path if…

You want court-ordered support, property, and parenting terms but want to stay married.
You have religious, insurance, or personal reasons not to divorce.
You meet Ohio residency and can document property, debt, and income.
You understand you can later convert to a divorce or dissolution.

Filing Fees

Civil-complaint deposit $250 — confirm the specific legal-separation amount with the Clerk, since the schedule lists divorce and dissolution at $300 · $50 special-project fee may apply · poverty-affidavit fee waiver available · confirm at (419) 523-3110

Forms & Filing Packets

Legal separation without minor children — $250 civil-complaint deposit — confirm the specific amount with the Clerk

File the complaint for legal separation (R.C. 3105.17) with the income and property affidavits and the civil-complaint deposit. The court divides property and debt and orders support while you remain married.

Putnam County Complaint for Divorce — The county's fillable divorce Complaint, filed with the Clerk of Courts to open a Domestic Relations case before Judge Schierloh. (An Answer-and-Counterclaim version is also posted.)
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.
Putnam County Common Pleas — Domestic Relations Forms — The county's full Domestic Relations self-help form set (look for "Domestic Relations Forms"), including the Local Rule 16 Temporary-Orders affidavit and the Rule 28 standard parenting-time schedule.

Legal separation with minor children — $250 civil-complaint deposit — confirm the specific amount with the Clerk

Add the Parenting Affidavit, health-insurance affidavit, child-support worksheet, and a parenting plan. Both parents complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days (Local Rule 41).

Putnam County Complaint for Divorce — The county's fillable divorce Complaint, filed with the Clerk of Courts to open a Domestic Relations case before Judge Schierloh. (An Answer-and-Counterclaim version is also posted.)
Putnam County Parenting Affidavit — The county's parenting/UCCJEA affidavit listing where each child has lived and with whom. Filed with the complaint in any case involving minor children.
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.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.

How to File Legal Separation in Putnam County

Confirm legal separation is the right fit. Choose legal separation when you want court-ordered support, property, and parenting terms but want to remain married. You can later file a divorce or dissolution to end the marriage.
Prepare the complaint and affidavits. Complete the complaint (R.C. 3105.17) with the income and property affidavits; with children add the Parenting Affidavit, health-insurance affidavit, support worksheet, and a parenting plan.
File with the deposit. File at the Clerk of Courts, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, with the $250 civil-complaint deposit (confirm the specific amount) or a poverty affidavit for a waiver.
Complete the parenting class and finalize. With children, both parents complete the A-OK parenting class within 60 days (Local Rule 41). The court then enters orders dividing property and debt and setting support and parenting.

Putnam County Practice Notes

"Legal separation" is a status; a "Separation Agreement" is a document. Legal separation is a court case that leaves you married. A Separation Agreement is the signed settlement used in a dissolution and in agreed cases. The civil-complaint deposit is $250; confirm the specific legal-separation amount with the Clerk, since the schedule lists divorce and dissolution at $300.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a legal separation in Putnam County, and how is it different from a Separation Agreement?: Legal separation (R.C. 3105.17) is a court case that divides property and debt and orders support and parenting while you stay legally married — people choose it for religious, insurance, or personal reasons. A "Separation Agreement" is a document — the signed settlement used in a dissolution and in agreed cases. The A-OK parenting class applies if there are minor children. The civil-complaint deposit is $250; confirm the specific legal-separation amount with the Clerk, since the schedule lists divorce and dissolution at $300.
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.
What are the residency requirements to file for divorce in Putnam County?: Ohio requires the plaintiff to have been a state resident for at least six months before filing for divorce (R.C. 3105.03). Putnam County does not add a separate county-residency rule. For never-married custody filed in the Juvenile/Probate Court, Ohio must be the children's "home state" under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127) — generally, the children have lived in Ohio for the last six consecutive months.

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 legal separation case

Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on legal separation 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 to File for Divorce in Ohio: A Step-by-Step Guide — Filing for divorce in Ohio follows a defined path: confirm residency, choose your grounds, file the complaint, serve your spouse, and work toward temporary orders and a final decree. Here is how each step works.
Spousal Support in Ohio: How Alimony Is Decided — Ohio has no fixed alimony formula. Courts weigh 14 statutory factors to decide whether spousal support is appropriate, how much, and for how long. Here's how it works.

Keep exploring

Ohio Legal Separation guide — Statewide overview of legal separation in Ohio.
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