Legal Separation in Union County

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

Union County, Ohio · Marysville

Legal separation lets the Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division divide property and debt and set support and parenting orders while you stay legally married. People choose it for religious, insurance, or financial reasons, or when they aren't ready to end the marriage. The deposit may differ from a divorce, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk.

How do I file for legal separation in Union County, Ohio?

File a Complaint for Legal Separation with the Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division, 215 W 5th St, Marysville, with Affidavit 1 (Income & Expenses) and Affidavit 2 (Property & Debt). With minor children, add Affidavits 3 and 4, the child-support worksheet, a IV-D application, and the co-parenting class. The court can divide property and debt and order support and parenting time, but you stay legally married at the end. The deposit may differ from a divorce — confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015.

Ohio Legal Separation by the Numbers

Stay married A legal separation decree does not end the marriage — neither spouse may remarry Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17
No residency rule Unlike a divorce, a legal separation has no 6-month Ohio residency requirement before filing Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03
Full orders The court can divide property and order spousal support, custody, and child support Source: Ohio Revised Code §§ 3105.171, 3105.18
Can convert A legal separation does not stop either spouse from later filing for divorce Source: Ohio Revised Code § 3105.17

Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Ohio

Question	Legal separation	Divorce
Are you still legally married?	Yes — you stay married	No — the marriage ends
Can you remarry afterward?	No	Yes
Divides marital property and debts?	Yes	Yes
Can it order support, custody, and parenting time?	Yes	Yes
Ohio residency required to file?	Not required	6 months in Ohio
Can it later become a divorce?	Yes — either spouse can still file	It already ends the marriage

Where to File: Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division

215 W 5th St, Marysville, OH 43040, Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3015
Hours: Monday–Friday (call the Clerk to confirm current hours)
Website: www.unioncountyohio.gov/departments/CommonPleasCourt

Legal Separation is the right path if…

You want court orders on property, support, and parenting but aren't ending the marriage.
You have religious, insurance, or financial reasons to stay legally married.
You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months.
You understand legal separation does not end the marriage or allow remarriage.

Filing Fees

Deposit may differ from a divorce — confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015 · with children, the co-parenting class is required · Affidavit of Indigency available

Forms & Filing Packets

Legal separation (no minor children) — Deposit may differ from divorce — confirm with the Clerk

File the complaint with the income/expense and property/debt affidavits and the local Classification Form + UCD1.

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.
Classification Form + UCD1 (Union County local cover & disclosure forms) — Union County's required local cover and disclosure forms that accompany a new divorce or dissolution packet. Download from the Common Pleas Court page and file them with your complaint or petition; confirm the current versions with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015.

Legal separation (with minor children) — Deposit may differ from divorce — confirm with the Clerk

Add the children's affidavits, support worksheet, and a IV-D application; complete the co-parenting class.

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.
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.
Title IV-D Child Support Services Application — Opens a IV-D child-support case with the Union County Child Support Enforcement Agency so it can calculate, collect, and enforce support by wage withholding. Available from the Juvenile Clerk or CSEA at (937) 644-1010; confirm the current form before filing.
Co-Parenting Class Certificate of Completion — Proof that you finished Union County's online co-parenting class (about 4 hours, $49.99 per parent). File the certificate before the final hearing. In a dissolution the case is dismissed if the certificate is not filed within 90 days.
Classification Form + UCD1 (Union County local cover & disclosure forms) — Union County's required local cover and disclosure forms that accompany a new divorce or dissolution packet. Download from the Common Pleas Court page and file them with your complaint or petition; confirm the current versions with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015.

How to File Legal Separation in Union County

Confirm Ohio residency. You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months before filing.
Prepare the complaint and affidavits. Complete a Complaint for Legal Separation plus Affidavits 1 and 2; with children add Affidavits 3 and 4, the worksheet, and a IV-D application.
File with the Clerk. File at 215 W 5th St, Marysville, with the local Classification Form + UCD1; confirm the deposit with the Clerk.
Complete the co-parenting class (if children). Both parents take the online class and file the certificate before the final hearing.
Attend the hearing. The court divides property and debt and sets support and parenting orders; you remain legally married.

Union County Practice Notes

You stay legally married. Legal separation divides property and debt and sets support and parenting orders, but the marriage continues — neither spouse can remarry. It can later be converted toward a divorce if you change course.
Co-parenting class is required with minor children. Both parents in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment with minor children must complete Union County's online co-parenting class (about 4 hours, $49.99 per parent) and file the certificate before the final hearing. In a dissolution the case is dismissed if the certificate is not filed within 90 days. The court suggests taking the class before mediation.
Confirm the deposit with the Clerk. The Union County deposit for legal separation may differ from the divorce deposit. Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015 before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for legal separation in Union County?: Yes. Legal separation is filed in the Union County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division and lets the court divide property and set support and parenting orders while you stay legally married. The deposit may differ from a divorce, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015.
What parenting class is required in Union County, and what does it cost?: Both parents in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or annulment with minor children must complete Union County's online co-parenting class — about 4 hours, $49.99 per parent — and file the certificate before the final hearing. In a dissolution, the case is dismissed if the certificate is not filed within 90 days. The court suggests taking the class before mediation.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Union County?: The Union County divorce deposit is $450 without minor children and $560 with minor children. If you can't afford the deposit, an Affidavit of Indigency (fee waiver) is available under Ohio Civil Rule 3(E). Service by publication is an added cost — you pay the newspaper directly. Confirm the current amounts with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015 before filing.
Can I e-file my case in Union County?: In Union County, attorneys must e-file. Self-represented (pro se) filers bring paper copies to the Clerk of Courts counter at 215 W 5th St, Marysville. Confirm the number of copies and the current deposit with the Clerk at (937) 645-3015.

Free Local Resources in Union County

Union County Clerk of Courts. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (937) 645-3015 or visit https://www.unioncountyohio.gov/departments/CommonPleasCourt before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Union County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Union County's IV-D agency opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.

Related to your legal separation case

Spousal Support — Pursue or respond to alimony requests during and after divorce.
Child Support — Calculate, establish, or modify support under Ohio's guidelines.
Paternity & Custody — Establish parentage and build a parenting plan that protects your children.

Related guides

In-depth, attorney-written guides on legal separation 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 to File for Divorce in Ohio: A Step-by-Step Guide — Filing for divorce in Ohio follows a defined path: confirm residency, choose your grounds, file the complaint, serve your spouse, and work toward temporary orders and a final decree. Here is how each step works.
Spousal Support in Ohio: How Alimony Is Decided — Ohio has no fixed alimony formula. Courts weigh 14 statutory factors to decide whether spousal support is appropriate, how much, and for how long. Here's how it works.

Keep exploring

Ohio Legal Separation guide — Statewide overview of legal separation in Ohio.
Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
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