Dissolution of Marriage in Richland County

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

Richland County, Ohio · Mansfield

A dissolution is the fully-agreed way to end a marriage. Both spouses file together as co-petitioners and attach a Separation Agreement that already settles property, debt, support, and — with children — custody, parenting time, and child support. It is filed in the Richland County Domestic Relations Court in Mansfield, with the same six-month Ohio residency rule as a divorce.

How does a dissolution work in Richland County, Ohio?

Both spouses negotiate and sign a Separation Agreement (SF 19), then file a joint Petition for Dissolution (SF 17) with Richland's Financial Affidavit (Form 05.00), Personal Identifiers (Form 20.00), Case Designation (Form 21.00), and — with children — the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Form 06.00) and a parenting plan (SF 20 or SF 21), at the Domestic Relations Court, 50 Park Ave. East, Third Floor, Mansfield. The deposit is $450. The final hearing is set 30-90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64) and both spouses must appear. With children, the Successful Co-Parenting seminar applies.

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: Richland County Domestic Relations Court

50 Park Ave. East, Third Floor, Mansfield, OH 44902-1861
Phone: (419) 774-5573
Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Website: www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on all terms — property, debt, support, and (if any) parenting.
Both spouses will sign the Separation Agreement and appear at the hearing.
At least one spouse meets Ohio's six-month residency.
You want the faster, cooperative alternative to a contested divorce.

If you can't reach a complete agreement, or your spouse won't participate, a divorce is the right path. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

$450 dissolution deposit · fee waiver via Form 01.00 · pay through the Clerk or PayGov · confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Courts at (419) 774-3526

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution with no minor children — $450 dissolution deposit

File the joint SF 17 petition with the signed Separation Agreement, Financial Affidavit, Personal Identifiers, and Case Designation. Use the Dissolution — No Children checklist.

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.
Financial Affidavit (Richland Form 05.00) — Richland uses its own local Financial Affidavit for income, expenses, and assets — confirm via the matching pleadings checklist whether the local form or the SCOO affidavit is wanted.
Personal Identifiers (Richland Form 20.00) — Confidential sheet listing SSNs and other identifiers, filed separately from the public record.
Case Designation Form (Richland Form 21.00) — Identifies the case type for the Clerk when you open a new DR action.
Dissolution — No Children pleadings checklist — Confirms the complete dissolution-without-children filing packet.

Dissolution with minor children — $450 dissolution deposit

Add a parenting plan (SF 20 shared parenting or SF 21), the Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Form 06.00), and the child-support worksheet. Class information mails within 15 days after filing. Use the Dissolution — With Children checklist.

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.
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Richland Form 06.00) — Required in any case with minor children — lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years to confirm Ohio's UCCJEA jurisdiction.
Financial Affidavit (Richland Form 05.00) — Richland uses its own local Financial Affidavit for income, expenses, and assets — confirm via the matching pleadings checklist whether the local form or the SCOO affidavit is wanted.
Personal Identifiers (Richland Form 20.00) — Confidential sheet listing SSNs and other identifiers, filed separately from the public record.
Case Designation Form (Richland Form 21.00) — Identifies the case type for the Clerk when you open a new DR action.
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.
Dissolution — With Children pleadings checklist — Confirms the complete dissolution-with-children filing packet.

How to File Dissolution in Richland County

Reach full agreement. Negotiate and sign a Separation Agreement (SF 19) resolving property, debt, support, and — with children — a parenting plan (SF 20 or SF 21).
Complete the joint petition. Both spouses sign the Petition for Dissolution (SF 17) and add the Financial Affidavit (Form 05.00), Personal Identifiers (Form 20.00), and Case Designation (Form 21.00).
File with the $450 deposit. File jointly at the Richland County Clerk of Courts for the DR Court in Mansfield, or file the fee-waiver Application (Form 01.00).
Complete the parenting seminar (if children). Both parents finish Successful Co-Parenting and file the certificates before the hearing.
Attend the hearing. Both spouses appear at the hearing set 30-90 days after filing and affirm the agreement; the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution (SF 18).

Richland County Practice Notes

30-90 day hearing; both spouses must appear. The final hearing is set not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after the joint petition is filed (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear and affirm the Separation Agreement is voluntary and that they want the dissolution.
15-day parenting-class notice for dissolutions. When a dissolution involves minor children, the court mails Successful Co-Parenting information within 15 days after filing (versus 30 days after service in a divorce). Build that earlier notice into the schedule and file the certificate before the hearing.
E-file through the Clerk's CourtView portal. All civil case types have been e-filable in Richland County since June 1, 2023, through the Clerk of Courts' CourtView eAccess portal (https://eservices.richlandcountycpcourt.org/eservices/home.page.2). Pay deposits through the Clerk or PayGov — the Clerk warns filers not to use third-party payment apps. Protection-order records are not viewable on the public portal (18 U.S.C. 2265(d)(3)).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Richland County?: The final hearing is set 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 affirm the Separation Agreement is voluntary and that they want the dissolution.
How much does it cost to file in the Richland County DR Court?: Published DR cash deposits include $450 for a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, paternity, or allocation-of-parental-rights complaint; $200 for a counterclaim; $300 for a reallocation, parenting-time, contempt, or other post-decree motion; $250 each to register a foreign decree or support order; $125 for a motion to compel; $50 for a process server; and $20 for a Notice of Intent to Relocate. A DVCPO has no filing fee. These are deposits against costs, not the total cost of a case — confirm the current schedule with the Clerk. If you can't afford the deposit, file the fee-waiver Application (Form 01.00). Pay through the Clerk or PayGov, not a third-party app.
Is a parenting class required in Richland County?: Yes — any divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment with minor children requires both parents to complete the "Successful Co-Parenting" seminar (R.C. 3109.053). The court mails class information within 30 days after service is completed (divorce/legal separation/annulment) or within 15 days after filing (dissolution). File the certificate before the final hearing; no final judgment is entered until both parents attend or are excused for good cause. A parent who attended within one year before filing is exempt. Confirm the provider, current cost, and format with the DR Court.
What are the residency requirements to file in Richland County?: To file in Ohio you must have been an Ohio resident for at least six months before filing (R.C. 3105.03), and venue must be proper in Richland County. The Richland skill does not set a separate county-residency duration — confirm venue questions with the Clerk of Courts.
Can I e-file my case in Richland County?: Yes. All civil case types have been e-filable since June 1, 2023, through the Clerk of Courts' CourtView eAccess portal. E-filing is accessed through the Clerk of Courts office. Pay deposits through the Clerk or PayGov — the Clerk warns filers not to use third-party payment apps.

Free Local Resources in Richland County

Richland County Clerk of Courts. Handles filing and e-filing for the Common Pleas Court, including Domestic Relations. Clerk Heidi Ewing · (419) 774-3526 · https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/clerkHome.php. All civil case types e-file through the Clerk's CourtView eAccess portal (available since June 1, 2023); online payments run through PayGov on the Clerk's ePayments page. Confirm current deposits and packet requirements before filing.
Richland County DR Court Forms, Fees & Local Rules. Official Domestic Relations forms, fee schedule, pleadings checklists, and the 2026 Local Rules. Forms: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/domesticforms · Fees: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/courtfees · Pleadings checklists: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/procedureinformationlinks · Self-represented help: https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/departments/domesticrelations/proceedingwithoutanattorney.
Richland County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Richland County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. CSEA scheduling at the DR Court: Rhiannon Wright · (419) 774-5692. File a Title IV-D Application (JFS-07076) when establishing or modifying support.
Legal Aid & Ohio Legal Help. Free and low-cost legal information for Richland County residents who cannot afford an attorney. Legal Aid: https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/legalAid.php · Ohio Legal Help: https://www.richlandcourtsoh.us/legalHelp.php. If you can't afford the filing deposit, ask the Clerk about an Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E).

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