Filing for Dissolution in Van Wert County

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

Van Wert County, Ohio · Van Wert

A dissolution is a no-fault way to end a marriage when both spouses already agree on everything — property, debt, spousal support, and (with children) custody, parenting time, and support. The spouses file jointly as co-petitioners after signing a Separation Agreement. In Van Wert County it is heard in the General / Domestic Relations Division, with a hearing 30–90 days after filing.

How does a dissolution work in Van Wert County, Ohio?

Both spouses settle every issue and sign a Separation Agreement (Ohio Form 19) plus a Waiver of Service, then file a joint Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the income and property affidavits and, with children, a parenting plan, a Child Support Worksheet, and a Waiver of Magistrate's Decision, paying the $325 deposit. The court holds a hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64); both spouses must appear and confirm the agreement, and the court grants the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18). With children, complete an approved parenting class.

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: Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas — General / Domestic Relations Division

121 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Van Wert, OH 45891
Phone: (419) 238-6935
Hours: Monday–Friday (confirm current hours with the Clerk of Courts at (419) 238-1022)
Website: www.vwcommonpleas.org

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court
108 East Main Street, Van Wert, OH 45891
Phone: (419) 238-1118
Hours: Monday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Tuesday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed on legal holidays)

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on everything — property, debt, support, and (if you have children) custody, parenting time, and support.
You've put the full agreement in writing in a Separation Agreement both of you will sign before a notary.
Both of you are willing to attend the final hearing together (both co-petitioners must appear).
One of you has been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months (R.C. 3105.03).

Don't agree on everything yet? You'll need a divorce instead. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

$325 dissolution deposit · parenting class cost varies (with children) · fee waiver available · hearing 30–90 days after filing. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 238-1022.

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $325 deposit · fee waiver available

Both spouses file jointly after signing the Separation Agreement. There is no plaintiff suing a defendant.

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.

Dissolution with minor children — $325 deposit · parenting class cost varies

Adds the parenting and health-insurance affidavits, the DR-2, a parenting plan, a Child Support Worksheet, and the Waiver of Magistrate's Decision. Complete the parenting class (Rule 6.5).

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.
DR-2 IV-D Application (Van Wert County-required attachment) — Required at filing of any Common Pleas domestic-relations case involving children — the Clerk will not accept a children's filing without it (Local Rule 6.2). Opens the IV-D child-support record. Tip: Obtain the current DR-2 from the Clerk of Courts at (419) 238-1022 when you file.
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.
Van Wert County Parenting Class (Local Rule 6.5) information — The court-ordered parenting-education requirement in any domestic case with minor children. Attend an approved program (online options and the live "A-OK" course) within 60 days of the final entry and file the certificate. Tip: Confirm the current approved-program list and cost with the Court Administrator at (419) 238-6935 before enrolling.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

How to File Dissolution in Van Wert County

Settle everything in writing. Agree on property, debt, support, and (with children) custody and parenting time, and sign the Separation Agreement (Form 19) and a Waiver of Service before a notary.
File the joint petition. File the Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), the signed Separation Agreement, the income and property affidavits, and any parenting documents, and pay the $325 deposit (or file a fee-waiver affidavit).
Complete the parenting class (with children). If you have minor children, both parents complete an approved parenting class (Rule 6.5) and file the certificate.
Attend the 30–90 day hearing. Both spouses appear at the hearing held 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64), confirm the agreement, and the court grants the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

Van Wert County Practice Notes

Both spouses must appear at the 30–90 day hearing. The court holds the dissolution hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Both co-petitioners must appear and confirm under oath that they still agree to the Separation Agreement and want the dissolution. If either spouse no longer agrees, the matter proceeds as a divorce.
Settle first, then file. A dissolution only works when everything is already agreed and written into the Separation Agreement (and a parenting plan, with children). With children, the petition packet also includes a Waiver of Magistrate's Decision. If you reach full agreement only after a divorce is already filed, the settlement is handled inside the divorce case.
Mandatory parenting class (Local Rule 6.5). With minor children, both parents must complete an approved parenting class (online options or the live 'A-OK' course) within 60 days of the final entry; failure can result in loss of custody/visitation, dismissal, or contempt. For post-decree relief, you must have attended within the prior two years. Confirm the approved-program list with the Court Administrator at (419) 238-6935.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Van Wert County?: Once both spouses sign the Separation Agreement (and a parenting plan, if there are children) and file the joint Petition for Dissolution, the court holds the hearing not less than 30 nor more than 90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64). Both spouses must appear at that hearing and confirm under oath that they still agree to the terms, and the court grants the Decree of Dissolution. A dissolution typically resolves within about one to three months.
How much does it cost to file a divorce or dissolution in Van Wert County?: Under Local Rule 4 (revised 8/18/2025), the Clerk's deposit for a divorce is $375.00 (the Sheriff fee is already included) and for a dissolution is $325.00. A divorce counterclaim/cross-claim deposit is also $375.00. These are deposits — the final cost can be higher or lower, and the Clerk may require an additional deposit within 10 days if costs run short. Confirm the current amounts with the Clerk at (419) 238-1022 before filing.
What are the residency requirements to file in Van Wert County?: To file for divorce, dissolution, or legal separation, at least one spouse must have been an Ohio resident for at least 6 months before filing (R.C. 3105.03) and meet county venue under Civil Rule 3. The Van Wert County local rules do not set a separate minimum county-residency period. For never-married custody in the Probate & Juvenile Court, Ohio must be the children's 'home state' under the UCCJEA (R.C. 3127) — generally, the children have lived in Ohio for the last 6 consecutive months.
Is a parenting class required in Van Wert County?: Yes. Under Local Rule 6.5, parents in any domestic case involving minor children must complete one approved parenting class. The court approves both online programs and live courses (such as the 'A-OK' program); a current list is available from the Court Administrator. Attend within 60 days of the final entry — Rule 6.5 warns that not attending can result in loss of custody/visitation, dismissal, or contempt. For post-decree relief, you must have attended within the prior two years. Confirm the approved list at (419) 238-6935.
Which Van Wert County court hears my family-law case?: If you are (or were) married to the other parent, divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, post-decree matters, and civil protection orders are heard in the General / Domestic Relations Division of the Van Wert County Court of Common Pleas (Judge Martin D. Burchfield; domestic cases heard by Magistrate Christina L. Steffan) and filed with the Clerk of Courts at 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-1022. If you were never married, parentage, custody, parenting time, and child support — and non-parent custody requests — are heard in the Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court (Judge Kevin H. Taylor), 108 East Main Street, Juvenile (419) 238-1118.

Free Local Resources in Van Wert County

Van Wert County Clerk of Courts (Domestic Relations). Where divorce, dissolution, legal-separation, annulment, post-decree, and protection-order filings are made — Van Wert County Courthouse, 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-1022 (fax filing (419) 238-4760 under Local Rule 5). The Clerk confirms current deposits and packet requirements; the Local Rules are posted at https://www.vanwertcountyohio.gov/government/courts/common_pleas_court/index.php.
Van Wert County Probate & Juvenile Court. Hears never-married parentage, custody, support, and non-parent custody, plus adoption — 108 East Main Street, Juvenile (419) 238-1118, Probate (419) 238-0027. New parentage/custody/support case $225 (Rule 8). Forms and e-filing at https://vwprobjuvcourt.com and https://efile.henschen.com.
Van Wert County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The IV-D agency that establishes, collects, and enforces child support by income withholding — Van Wert County Job & Family Services, 121 East Main Street, (419) 238-9566. Apply for services at https://www.vanwertcountyohio.gov/services/job_and_family_services/child_support_enforcement_agency.php. Payments run through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central (Ohio CSPC).
Parenting class (Local Rule 6.5). The court-ordered parenting-education requirement in any domestic case with minor children — approved online programs and the live 'A-OK' course, due within 60 days of the final entry. Confirm the approved-program list with the Court Administrator at (419) 238-6935.
Ohio Child Support Calculator. Run the official Ohio 2024 Income Shares child-support worksheet at https://ohiochildsupportcalculator.ohio.gov/ before any case that sets or changes support.

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.