Filing for Dissolution in Ross County

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

Ross County, Ohio · Chillicothe

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 Ross County Court of Common Pleas through the Clerk of Courts, and the deposit is $350.

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

Both spouses negotiate and sign a Separation Agreement (Ohio SC Form 19) resolving property, debt, and support — and, with children, a parenting plan and a child-support worksheet. Then file the Petition for Dissolution and Waiver of Service (Form 17) with the signed agreement, the financial affidavits (Affidavits 1 and 2), the Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers Form, and the $350 deposit at the General Division through the Clerk of Courts, 2 N. Paint St., Suite B, Chillicothe. The final hearing is held 30–90 days after filing; both spouses appear and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18). The Clerk's free LegalAtoms tool can prepare the paperwork.

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: Ross County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

2 N. Paint Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 702-3032
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
Website: www.rosscountycommonpleas.org/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division
2 N. Paint Street, Suite A, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Phone: (740) 774-1177
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed legal holidays)

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

$350 dissolution deposit · fee waiver by affidavit (Local Rule 4.04) · free guided prep via LegalAtoms · confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (740) 702-3010

Forms & Filing Packets

Joint dissolution packet (no minor children) — $350 deposit

File the Petition for Dissolution and Waiver of Service with the signed Separation Agreement, the financial affidavits, and the $350 deposit. LegalAtoms can prepare the documents in plain language.

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.
Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers Form (Local Rule 20.07) — Required with every Domestic Relations pleading under General Division Local Rule 20.07. Lists protected personal identifiers (SSNs, account numbers) and is filed under seal. Obtain it from the Clerk of Courts.
LegalAtoms — free guided divorce & dissolution prep (English/Spanish) — The Clerk's free, guided online tool for preparing Ross County divorce and dissolution paperwork to print and file. It does not give legal advice.

Joint dissolution packet (with minor children) — $350 deposit

Add the parenting and health-insurance affidavits, a parenting plan, and the child-support worksheet to the dissolution packet. Both parents complete the Families in Transition class within 60 days.

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.
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.

How to File Dissolution in Ross County

Reach a complete agreement. Both spouses sign a Separation Agreement (Form 19) 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 of Service (Form 17), the financial affidavits (Affidavits 1 and 2), and the Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers Form.
File with the $350 deposit. File jointly at the Clerk of Courts, 2 N. Paint St., Suite B, Chillicothe, and pay the $350 deposit (or file a Fee Waiver Affidavit).
Complete Families in Transition (if children). Both parents complete the FiT class within 60 days; in pro se dissolutions the Clerk furnishes the class information.
Attend the final hearing. Within 30–90 days both spouses appear and affirm the agreement, and the court issues the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

Ross County Practice Notes

No separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the General Division of the Ross County Court of Common Pleas — there is no separate Domestic Relations division. Two courtrooms preside: Courtroom 1 (Judge Michael M. Ater) and Courtroom 2 (Judge Matthew S. Schmidt), with Magistrates John DiCesare and Jennifer L. Ater. File through the Clerk of Courts, 2 N. Paint St., Suite B, Chillicothe, (740) 702-3010.
Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers required (Local Rule 20.07). Every Domestic Relations pleading must include a completed Confidential Disclosure of Personal Identifiers Form under General Division Local Rule 20.07; it is filed under seal. Obtain the form from the Clerk of Courts' legal-forms page.
Families in Transition (FiT) class required with minor children. In any divorce, dissolution, change-of-custody, or companionship-modification case with minor children, both parents complete the Families in Transition (FiT) class within 60 days of filing (General Division Local Rule 20.12; Juvenile County Rule 13). It is held at The Child Protection Center, 138 Marietta Road, Suite E, Chillicothe, (740) 779-7431; the fee is $25 (exact cash or PayPal) and the certificate is valid for one year. Confirm current class dates when registering.
Support routed through SCOJFS. All Ross County support is paid through South Central Ohio Job & Family Services (SCOJFS); the Clerk routes support entries through the CSEA box and the required JFS memo is attached to the decree (General Division Local Rule 20.09). Child-support services run through Ross County CSEA, 475 Western Ave, Ste. B, (740) 773-2651.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it cost to file a dissolution in Ross County?: The General Division dissolution deposit is $350 per the Clerk's schedule. It is an advance cost deposit. A fee waiver is available by affidavit under Local Rule 4.04. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (740) 702-3010.
Can I prepare my Ross County divorce or dissolution forms online?: Yes. The Clerk offers a free, guided LegalAtoms tool (English and Spanish) at https://legalatoms.com/ross/ that prepares your divorce or dissolution documents to print and file. It does not give legal advice, and court and clerk staff cannot complete your forms for you.
Do I have to take a parenting class in Ross County?: Yes, in any divorce or dissolution involving minor children, and in any change-of-custody or companionship-modification motion — both parents must complete the class within 60 days of filing (General Division Local Rule 20.12; Juvenile County Rule 13). The court-ordered class is Families in Transition (FiT) at The Child Protection Center, 138 Marietta Road, Suite E, Chillicothe ((740) 779-7431). The fee is $25, paid by exact cash at the CPC office or by PayPal. The certificate is valid for one year.
Which court handles family-law cases in Ross County?: The General Division of the Ross County Court of Common Pleas (2 N. Paint St., Chillicothe) hears all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases — there is no separate Domestic Relations court. The combined Probate/Juvenile Court (2 N. Paint St., Suite A) handles unmarried-parent parentage, custody, support, and parenting time (Juvenile, under R.C. 2151.23) and adoptions (Probate). Cases are filed through the Clerk of Courts at (740) 702-3010.

Free Local Resources in Ross County

Ross County Clerk of Courts (General Division / Domestic Relations). 2 N. Paint St., Suite B, Chillicothe, OH 45601; (740) 702-3010. Files all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases, posts the legal forms and the Divorce/Dissolution checklist, and confirms current deposits. Online payment via nCourt; records via eAccess. The General Division hears all DR matters — there is no separate Domestic Relations court.
LegalAtoms — free guided divorce & dissolution prep. https://legalatoms.com/ross/ — the Clerk's free, guided tool (English and Spanish) that prepares Ross County divorce and dissolution paperwork to print and file. It does not give legal advice.
Families in Transition (FiT) parenting class. The Child Protection Center, 138 Marietta Road, Suite E, Chillicothe; (740) 779-7431. Required within 60 days in any divorce/dissolution or custody/companionship-modification with minor children (Local Rule 20.12; Juvenile County Rule 13). Fee $25 (exact cash or PayPal); certificate valid one year. Confirm current class dates when registering.
Ross County Probate/Juvenile Court. 2 N. Paint St., Suite A, Chillicothe; (740) 774-1177 or (740) 774-1179 (https://www.rossprobatejuvenile.com/). Judge J. Jeffrey Benson. Hears unmarried-parent parentage, custody, support, and parenting time (Juvenile) and adoptions (Probate), using local Forms 11 and 20–31.
Ross County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 475 Western Ave, Ste. B, Chillicothe, OH 45601; (740) 773-2651 (https://jfs.ohio.gov/about/local-agencies-directory/csea-ross). Administrator Rick Reynolds. Establishes, calculates, collects, and enforces support; payments are routed through South Central Ohio Job & Family Services (SCOJFS).

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.