Filing for Dissolution in Shelby County

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 15, 2026

Shelby County, Ohio · Sidney

A dissolution is a no-fault, fully agreed end to a marriage that both spouses file jointly after signing a complete Separation Agreement resolving property, debt, support, and (if applicable) parenting. There is no plaintiff or defendant, and full agreement is required from the start. It is filed in the Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division in Sidney, and Ohio law sets the final hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64).

How does a dissolution work in Shelby County, Ohio?

Both spouses agree on everything and sign a notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), then jointly file the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the Shelby County Clerk of Courts, along with the local DR-8 identifier sheet (and, with children, a parenting plan, a child-support worksheet, the DR-7, and the DR-6 IV-D application). File the original plus 4 copies and pay the cost deposit (amount set by General Division Local Rule 3 — confirm with the Clerk at (937) 498-7221). A dissolution without minor children is set for final hearing upon filing; a dissolution with minor children is not set until both parents complete the "Shield Your Child from Conflict" parenting seminar. The court holds the final hearing 30–90 days after filing, where both spouses appear and confirm the agreement, then signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

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: Shelby County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division

100 E. Court Street, 3rd Floor, Sidney, OH 45365
Phone: (937) 498-7221
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM; Friday, 8:30 AM–Noon
Website: co.shelby.oh.us/229/Common-Pleas-Court

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Shelby County Juvenile Court
100 E. Court Street, 2nd Floor, Sidney, OH 45365
Phone: (937) 498-7255
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every issue — property, debt, support, and (if applicable) parenting.
You can both sign a complete, notarized Separation Agreement before filing.
You are both willing to appear at one final hearing 30–90 days after filing.
Neither spouse needs the court to decide a disputed issue.

If you don't fully agree or your spouse won't cooperate, a divorce is the right path. Compare divorce in Shelby County.

Filing Fees

Cost deposit set by the Clerk (General Division Local Rule 3 — confirm before filing) · Fee waiver via an Affidavit of Inability to Pay or Secure Costs (R.C. 2323.31) · Parenting seminar fee set by Catholic Social Services · A dissolution can later be converted to a divorce by motion if the agreement breaks down · Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 498-7221

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — Cost deposit set by the Clerk (General Division Local Rule 3 — confirm the current amount at (937) 498-7221)

Set for final hearing upon filing once the joint petition and signed Separation Agreement are in.

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.
DR-8 — Personal Identifier / Sensitive Information Sheet — Submitted in every new or reopened case; sealed in the Clerk's file and not publicly filed (Local DR Rule 18).
Shelby County Divorce / Dissolution Check List — The county's filing checklist for divorce and dissolution packets — confirm you have every required document before filing.

Dissolution with minor children — Cost deposit set by the Clerk (General Division Local Rule 3 — confirm the current amount at (937) 498-7221)

Held for final hearing until both parents complete the mandatory parenting seminar (Local DR Rule 6).

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.
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.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.
DR-7 — Obligee's Rights and Remedies for Enforcement of Support — Filed in every proceeding involving children and physically attached to the final decree/support order (Local DR Rule 5).
DR-8 — Personal Identifier / Sensitive Information Sheet — Submitted in every new or reopened case; sealed in the Clerk's file and not publicly filed (Local DR Rule 18).
Shelby County Divorce / Dissolution Check List — The county's filing checklist for divorce and dissolution packets — confirm you have every required document before filing.

How to File Dissolution in Shelby County

Reach full agreement. Agree on property, debt, support, and (if you have children) custody, parenting time, and child support. Any unresolved issue means a divorce is the right path instead.
Sign the Separation Agreement. Both spouses sign the notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19). With children, prepare a parenting plan and an Ohio child-support worksheet.
File the joint petition. File the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the local DR-8 (and DR-7 in children cases), the original plus 4 copies, with the Shelby County Clerk of Courts and pay the cost deposit.
Complete the parenting seminar (if children). Both parents complete the "Shield Your Child from Conflict" seminar; with children, the final hearing is not scheduled until this is done.
Attend the final hearing. Both spouses appear 30–90 days after filing to confirm the agreement, and the court signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

Shelby County Practice Notes

Dissolution is not an uncontested divorce. A dissolution is fully agreed from the start — there is no plaintiff or defendant, and both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement before filing. An uncontested divorce, by contrast, is one where the spouse won't respond or can't be found.
Children hold the hearing until the seminar is done. A dissolution with minor children is not set for final hearing until both parents complete the "Shield Your Child from Conflict" seminar (Local DR Rules 6 and 13), offered through Catholic Social Services at (937) 498-4593. A dissolution without children is set for hearing upon filing.
The 30–90 day window is set by statute. Ohio law (R.C. 3105.64) requires the final hearing 30 to 90 days after the petition is filed; both spouses must appear and confirm the agreement is still fair before the court grants the dissolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a dissolution work in Shelby County?: Both spouses agree on everything and sign a notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), then jointly file the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the local DR-8 and the cost deposit. The court holds one hearing 30–90 days later where both spouses appear and confirm the agreement, then signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).
How much does a dissolution cost in Shelby County?: A cost deposit is required (Local DR Rule 2; amount set by General Division Local Rule 3). The county does not publish the figure, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (937) 498-7221. A fee waiver is available through an Affidavit of Inability to Pay or Secure Costs (R.C. 2323.31).
How long does a dissolution take in Shelby County?: Ohio law (R.C. 3105.64) sets the final hearing 30 to 90 days after the joint petition is filed. A dissolution without minor children is set for hearing upon filing; one with minor children is not set until both parents complete the parenting seminar. Both spouses must attend and confirm the agreement before the court grants it.
Is a parenting class required for family cases in Shelby County?: Yes. In a divorce, dissolution, or legal separation with minor children, both parents must complete the "Shield Your Child from Conflict" seminar before the final hearing (Local DR Rule 13). It is offered through Catholic Social Services, 100 South Main Street, Suite 101, Sidney; register at (937) 498-4593. Fee-waiver requests go directly to Catholic Social Services, and parties living more than 60 miles from Sidney may substitute another court's program.

Free Local Resources in Shelby County

Shelby County Clerk of Courts. Handles Domestic Relations filings and provides local DR forms and instructions. Filings are the original plus 4 copies (Local DR Rule 4); e-filing per General Division Local Rule 39. Call (937) 498-7221 to confirm the current cost deposit and packet requirements before filing.
Shelby County Juvenile Court (Probate & Juvenile). Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus non-parent custody. Forms by matter at shelbycoprobate.org/shelby-county-juvenile-court/; (937) 498-7255. Every juvenile filing carries a $250 deposit (Juvenile Local Rule 4).
Catholic Social Services — Parenting Seminar. Provides the court-ordered "Shield Your Child from Conflict" parenting seminar (Local DR Rule 13) at 100 South Main Street, Suite 101, Sidney. Register by phone or in person at (937) 498-4593; fee-waiver requests go directly to Catholic Social Services.
Shelby County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). 227 South Ohio Avenue, Sidney; (937) 498-4981 (toll-free 800-561-5548). Establishes paternity and support, modifies and enforces orders, and processes payments through Ohio Child Support Payment Central (2% administrative fee).

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.

Call (844) 694-2885 or email support@gavvl.com.