Stark County Dissolution Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 5, 2026

Stark County, Ohio · Canton

A dissolution is the cooperative path: both spouses agree on every term — property, debts, support, and parenting — in a signed Separation Agreement before filing a joint petition. Stark County's Family Court hears dissolutions 30-90 days after filing, with the hearing typically set about 6 weeks out (Rule 13.02).

Hire Gavvl for your Stark County dissolution case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Stark County local forms, the court strategy, and the hearings — and you know the price before we start.

Start with a $25 consultation and talk through your options with an Ohio family-law attorney before you commit to anything. Get started online or see payment plans & financing.

How do I file for dissolution in Stark County, Ohio?

Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement, then use the Stark County Family Court's assembled Dissolution packet (with or without children) and file jointly with the Clerk of Courts' Domestic Relations Division at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton, OH 44702. The deposit is $371. Only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. Each party files a financial statement (or one signed by both), and a dissolution with unemancipated children also needs a UCCJEA affidavit and a completed Child Support Worksheet (Rule 12.02). The hearing must occur 30-90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend.

Stark County dissolution, handled start to finish by Gavvl Law

A dissolution is the agreed path: both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement first, file a joint petition on Stark County's assembled Dissolution with/without Children packet, and appear together at a final hearing set 30 to 90 days out — about six weeks after filing under Rule 13.02. The Clerk deposit is $371, and only the six-month Ohio residency applies. Gavvl Law drafts the agreement and petition so nothing sends you back, with a flat fee approved up front and payment plans available.

A Separation Agreement that actually settles everything. A Stark dissolution only works if property, debts, support, and parenting are fully resolved in writing before you file. We draft the complete Separation Agreement and joint petition so the assembled packet is airtight and neither spouse is caught short at the hearing.
Built for the 30-to-90-day hearing both spouses must attend. Under Rule 13.02 the court sets the hearing about six weeks out and it must fall 30 to 90 days after filing, with both spouses present to affirm the agreement. We prepare each of you for that appearance so the decree is granted the first time rather than continued.
The lower $371 deposit, and a clean path if a divorce converts. Dissolution carries a $371 Clerk deposit — lower than a divorce because there is nothing to litigate — and if a divorce is amended into a dissolution the dissolution deposit is due under Rule 10.03. We handle that math and offer a flat fee up front with payment plans so the agreed route stays the affordable one.

Joint petitions file with the Clerk's Domestic Relations Division at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690 in Canton, and a dissolution with minor children still needs the UCCJEA affidavit, a child-support worksheet, and the court-approved parent-education program. We coordinate all of it so your cooperative case moves through Stark's Family Court without a hitch.

Flat-fee options

Flat-fee limited scope: we prepare your full dissolution petition and separation agreement for an agreed, no-court split.

Dissolution: $1,750
Dissolution with children: $2,300

Prefer full representation? An Ohio attorney can carry the entire case on a $3,500 retainer.

Split any flat fee with Gavvl Direct — our in-house plan at 19% APR, $500 minimum — on a 60%-down schedule of 18 weekly, 8 bi-weekly, or 4 monthly payments, or full financing where work begins once 60% is paid. Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal Pay Later are also available through LawPay.

Start your dissolution case or see payment plans & financing.

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: Stark County Family Court (Domestic Relations & Juvenile Divisions)

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton, OH 44702
Phone: (330) 451-7415
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Website: Court website

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every term — property, debts, support, and parenting — in writing before filing.
Both of you are willing to sign the petition and Separation Agreement and attend the final hearing together.
You want the fastest, lowest-conflict path to ending the marriage.
At least one of you has been an Ohio resident for 6+ months.

If you don't agree on everything yet, or your spouse won't participate, a divorce is the right path instead. See Stark divorce options.

Filing Fees

$371 deposit · 30-90 days to the final hearing · Both spouses must attend

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution packet (no children) — $371 deposit

Dissolution without Children (Stark assembled packet) — Stark County's assembled dissolution packet for couples with no minor children — joint petition, Separation Agreement, and the required financial statement.

Dissolution packet (with minor children) — $371 deposit

Dissolution with Children (Stark assembled packet) — Stark County's assembled dissolution packet for couples with minor children, including the parenting plan; the UCCJEA affidavit and child-support worksheet are required (Rule 12.02).
Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (UCCJEA · R.C. 3127.23) — Lists where each child has lived for the last 5 years and with whom. Confirms Ohio's jurisdiction over custody.
Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet — Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares calculator, print, and sign. Required any time you're asking the court to set support.
Child Support Worksheet (Ohio statutory worksheet) — The Ohio statutory worksheet, required with a dissolution that involves unemancipated children.

How to File Dissolution in Stark County

Reach a complete written agreement first. Settle property, debts, support, and parenting in a signed Separation Agreement before filing — a dissolution requires full agreement up front.
Complete the assembled dissolution packet. Use the Stark Dissolution with/without Children packet to prepare the joint petition, Separation Agreement, and (with children) the parenting plan and worksheet.
File jointly and pay the deposit. File with the Clerk's DR Division at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690, Canton. The deposit is $371.
Complete the parent class and attend the hearing. With children, finish the court-approved parent-education program. Both spouses appear at the 30-90 day hearing.

Stark County Practice Notes

Dissolution is the agreed path, not 'uncontested'. A dissolution means both spouses agree on every term before filing — it is inherently cooperative. That is different from an uncontested (default) divorce, where one spouse simply doesn't answer within 28 days. Stark dissolutions are heard 30-90 days after filing.
Amending a divorce into a dissolution. If a divorce or legal-separation case is amended into a dissolution, the dissolution deposit must be paid (Rule 10.03). It can be a sensible move once the parties reach full agreement mid-case.
Final hearing requires both spouses. Under Rule 13.02, the hearing is set about 6 weeks after filing and must occur 30-90 days after filing. Both spouses must appear, and each affirms the agreement; if either is absent, the court will not grant the decree.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Stark County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing and a Stark County resident for at least 90 days. For dissolution, only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. For Juvenile Division cases (paternity, never-married custody, child support), UCCJEA compliance is mandatory — Ohio must be the children's home state, generally meaning they've lived here for the last 6 months (Family Court Rule 16.01). The Stark County Family Court is at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 670, Canton.
How much does it cost to file in Stark County?: Stark County Family Court deposits (effective March 17, 2025): Complaint for Divorce or Annulment $391 (add $50 for every 5 defendants beyond the first 4); Dissolution $371; Legal Separation $359; a counterclaim or cross-claim $251; reopening a closed case $273; a Custody Register Petition $313; a garnishment $50; and a new Juvenile complaint $307. A Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order takes no deposit. These are minimum deposits — total case costs vary. Pay the Stark County Clerk of Courts (checks payable to 'Stark County Clerk of Courts'); for a total-cost quote call (330) 451-7801.
How long does a Stark County case usually take?: Dissolution: the hearing is set about 6 weeks after filing and must occur 30-90 days after filing (Rule 13.02). Uncontested (default) divorce: if no answer, motion, or leave to plead is filed within 28 days after service, the case is uncontested, but no divorce, annulment, or legal separation is heard until 42 days after service (Rule 13.01). Contested divorce: trial roughly 4-12 months without children or 4-18 months with children. A temporary-orders hearing can be set within 1-21 days.
Is a parenting class required in Stark County?: Yes. Under Rule 12.04, parents filing a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody action involving minor children must complete a court-approved parent-education program. Separately, under Rule 16.06, unmarried parents filing an initial parental-rights action must complete the online 'Working Together for Kids' seminar — and the moving party must finish it before the initial hearing or the matter is dismissed. The initial filing must include the order to complete the seminar, the registration/instruction sheet, and the mediation flyer.
How and where do I file my case in Stark County?: Family Court cases are filed with and maintained by the Stark County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk's Domestic Relations Division — which files divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, and civil protection orders — is in the Stark County Office Building at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 690 (6th floor), Canton, (330) 451-7792. The main Clerk's office is at 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, (330) 451-7801. Attorneys must include their Ohio Supreme Court registration number on every filing (Rule 12).

Free Local Resources in Stark County

Stark County Family Court Help Desk. Free help for self-represented parties completing and reviewing divorce and custody forms, plus questions on court procedure and notary services. Mondays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., first come first served; check in with the reception bailiff in the lobby, (330) 451-7415. Help Desk attorneys do not represent you or give legal advice.
Stark County Family Court — Court Filing Forms & Brochures. The court's assembled filing packets for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, custody, support, contempt, and protection orders, hosted in the county Document Center at starkcountyohio.gov. The court notes the forms are a resource only and not a substitute for legal advice.
Stark County Law Library. Public legal-research help at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 401, Canton, (330) 451-7380, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Domestic Violence Project, Inc. (DVPI). Shelter, advocacy, and support for those experiencing domestic violence in Stark County. Learn more at dvpi.org.

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.

More Stark County family-law resources

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron metro.
Stark County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Stark County guide.
Meet Stephanie Green — Managing Partner & Co-Founder 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.