Dissolution of Marriage in Tuscarawas County

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

Tuscarawas County, Ohio · New Philadelphia

A dissolution is Ohio's agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage. Both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement first, file a joint petition in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas in New Philadelphia, and appear together at one hearing 30 to 90 days later. The Clerk's deposit is $365 with minor children or $270 without (effective 11/01/2025).

How does a dissolution work in Tuscarawas County, Ohio?

Both spouses must agree on everything first — property, debt, support, and any parenting issues — and put it in a notarized Separation Agreement. You then file the joint Dissolution With Children or Dissolution Without Children packet with the Domestic Relations Case Designation Form and Disclosure of Personal Identifier in the General Division at 125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, with the $365 (with children) or $270 (without) deposit. With minor children you also file a parenting order or Shared Parenting Plan, Health Care Determinations, a UCCJEA Declaration, and a child-support worksheet. Ohio law requires a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing, where both spouses confirm the agreement. If you later need to switch to a divorce, the Motion to Convert a Dissolution to Divorce is $35.

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: Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: (330) 364-8811
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk at (330) 365-3243 to confirm current hours)
Website: www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us/government/court_of_common_pleas_court_general_division/index.php
e-Filing: https://eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com/

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division
125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: (330) 365-3244
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the court to confirm current hours)

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every issue — property, debt, and support.
You can agree on custody, parenting time, and child support if you have children.
Both of you are willing to sign a notarized Separation Agreement and appear at the hearing.
You want a faster, lower-cost path than a contested divorce.
Neither spouse needs the court to force disclosure or decide a disputed issue.

If your spouse won't cooperate or you can't fully agree, you'll need a divorce instead. See divorce in Tuscarawas County.

Filing Fees

$365 deposit with minor children · $270 without (eff. 11/01/2025) · One hearing 30–90 days after filing, both spouses must appear · Motion to Convert a Dissolution to Divorce $35 · Fee waiver available · Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (330) 365-3243.

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $270 Clerk deposit (eff. 11/01/2025)

The joint petition packet when there are no minor children of the marriage.

Dissolution Without Children — Full Packet (Tuscarawas General Division) — The joint dissolution packet for spouses with no minor children. May not be used if the spouses have minor children together or a child was born during the marriage.
Separation Agreement Without Children (Tuscarawas) — The written contract that settles property, debt, and support for a dissolution with no minor children. Both spouses sign before a notary.
Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (Tuscarawas) — Required local cover form filed with every new or reopened Domestic Relations case in the General Division.
Disclosure of Personal Identifier (Tuscarawas) — Filed with any case that contains personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, account numbers, etc.).

Dissolution with minor children — $365 Clerk deposit (eff. 11/01/2025)

Adds the parenting and support filings for an agreed end of marriage with children.

Dissolution With Children — Full Packet (Tuscarawas General Division) — The joint dissolution packet for spouses with minor children together. May not be used if there are no minor children of the marriage.
Separation Agreement With Children (Tuscarawas) — The written contract that settles property, debt, support, and parenting for a dissolution involving minor children. Both spouses sign before a notary.
Domestic Relations Case Designation Form (Tuscarawas) — Required local cover form filed with every new or reopened Domestic Relations case in the General Division.
Disclosure of Personal Identifier (Tuscarawas) — Filed with any case that contains personal identifiers (Social Security numbers, account numbers, etc.).
Shared Parenting Plan (Tuscarawas General Division) — Required when both parents ask to be named residential parents and legal custodians under R.C. 3109.04. Must address living arrangements, decision-making, support, and the schedule.
Health Care Determinations Form (Tuscarawas) — Required in cases with minor children to set how the children's health-care costs are handled.
UCCJEA Declaration (Tuscarawas General Division) — Lists where each child has lived so the court can confirm Ohio's jurisdiction over custody under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127). Required in any case with minor children.
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.

Can't afford the deposit

File this if you cannot advance the Clerk's deposit.

Petition for Waiver of Filing Fee / Court Cost Deposit + Affidavit in Support — Low-income filers can file this notarized petition instead of advancing the deposit; the court rules on it after a non-oral review.

How to File Dissolution in Tuscarawas County

Reach a complete agreement. Settle property, debt, and support — and custody, parenting time, and child support if you have children — and put it in the Separation Agreement, signed before a notary.
Prepare the joint petition packet. File the matching Dissolution packet, the Separation Agreement, the Case Designation Form, and the Disclosure of Personal Identifier. Add the parenting order/plan, Health Care Determinations, UCCJEA Declaration, and a support worksheet if you have children.
File and pay. File jointly with the General Division Clerk at 125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia, and pay the $365 (with children) or $270 (without) deposit, or request a fee waiver.
Attend the hearing. Both spouses appear 30 to 90 days after filing to confirm the agreement; the court then signs the decree of dissolution.

Tuscarawas County Practice Notes

Agreement comes first. You cannot file a dissolution until the full Separation Agreement is signed and notarized. The agreement settles property, debt, support, and parenting in advance — the court confirms it rather than deciding it. The county posts how-to videos for the dissolution packets at youtube.com/@TuscarawasCountyCourts.
Both spouses must appear at the hearing. Ohio law requires a hearing 30 to 90 days after filing, where both spouses appear and confirm they still want the dissolution and the agreement is fair. If either spouse changes their mind, the dissolution cannot be granted — but they may file a Motion to Convert a Dissolution to Divorce ($35).
Use the correct with/without-children packet. The with-children packet may not be used if there are no minor children of the marriage, and the without-children packet may not be used if the spouses have minor children together or a child was born during the marriage regardless of paternity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a dissolution work in Tuscarawas County?: Both spouses agree on everything and sign a notarized Separation Agreement, then file the joint dissolution packet with the Case Designation Form and Disclosure of Personal Identifier in the General Division. The court holds one hearing 30–90 days later where both spouses confirm the agreement, then signs the decree of dissolution.
How much does a dissolution cost in Tuscarawas County?: As of 11/01/2025, the deposit is $365 with minor children or $270 without. If you later need to switch to a divorce, the Motion to Convert a Dissolution to Divorce is $35. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (330) 365-3243.
What's the difference between divorce and dissolution in Tuscarawas County?: A dissolution is an agreed, no-fault end of marriage: both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement first, then appear at one hearing 30–90 days later. A divorce is used when you don't fully agree or your spouse won't cooperate, and the court decides disputed issues. Both are filed in the General Division, and the deposit is $365 with children or $270 without.
How long does a dissolution take in Tuscarawas County?: Ohio law requires a hearing 30 to 90 days after the joint petition is filed. Both spouses must attend and confirm on the record that they still want the dissolution and that the agreement is fair before the court grants it.
How can I file court documents in Tuscarawas County?: The General Division Clerk accepts filings in person, by mail (Suite 230, PO Box 628, New Philadelphia, OH 44663), by email (clerkfiling@co.tuscarawas.oh.us, $0.25/page for service copies), through the e-filing portal (eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com), or by fax (330-343-4682). Clerks cannot give legal advice.

Free Local Resources in Tuscarawas County

Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts (General Division). Clerk Wendy D. Jones, Suite 230, PO Box 628, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Accepts filings in person, by mail, by email (clerkfiling@co.tuscarawas.oh.us, $0.25/page service copies), by e-file (eservices.tuscarawasohcourts.com), or by fax (330-343-4682). Call (330) 365-3243 to confirm deposits and packet requirements before filing.
Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Hears divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and adult DVCPO/CSPO cases at 125 E High Ave, New Philadelphia; (330) 364-8811. DR forms are county-local packets provided via the County Bar Association and SEOLS. How-to videos at youtube.com/@TuscarawasCountyCourts.
Tuscarawas County Juvenile Division. Judge Adam W. Wilgus. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus grandparent visitation and non-parent custody. Local Rule 6.2 requires the Affidavit of Basic Information and a Confidential Information Page with initial filings.
Tuscarawas County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Administered by the Prosecutor's Office (Director Traci A. Berry). Opens IV-D support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. CSEA line: 800-685-2732.
Protection orders — SEOLS & Prosecutor's Office. Standardized DVCPO/CSPO petition forms and self-help guidance are available through Southeastern Ohio Legal Services / Ohio Legal Help. For local help, contact the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor's Office at (330) 365-3214. There is no filing fee; call 911 in an emergency.

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