Filing for Dissolution in Warren County

Warren County, Ohio · Lebanon

Dissolution is the cooperative, both-spouses-agree path to ending a marriage. In Warren County, spouses file a joint Petition with a fully signed Separation Agreement (and a Shared Parenting Plan if there are children) at the DR Court, 500 Justice Drive, Lebanon. The hearing is set 31–90 days after filing, and both spouses must attend.

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

Both spouses jointly file a Petition for Dissolution (UDRF Form 17) with a notarized Separation Agreement (UDRF Form 19), two Income/Expense/Property Affidavits (DR Form 1), the Waiver of Representation (DR Form 3), and the proposed JE Decree of Dissolution (UDRF Form 18) — which Warren requires with the initial filing — at the Warren County DR Court, 500 Justice Drive, Lebanon, OH 45036. The deposit is $400 with children and $300 without children. Only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. The hearing is held 31–90 days after filing and both spouses must appear.

Where to File: Warren County Domestic Relations Court

500 Justice Drive, Lebanon, OH 45036, Lebanon, OH 45036
Phone: (513) 695-1344
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:30–1:00 p.m.)
Website: www.warrencountyohio.gov/Domestic_Relations_Court/
e-Filing: https://www.warrencountyohio.gov/Domestic_Relations_Court/Forms

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Warren County Juvenile Court (Probate/Juvenile Division)
900 Memorial Drive, Lebanon, OH 45036, Lebanon, OH 45036
Phone: (513) 695-1160
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every term — property, debts, support, and parenting — before filing.
Both of you are willing to sign the Separation Agreement in front of a notary.
You want the fastest, lowest-conflict path (a hearing in 31–90 days).
At least one of you has lived in Ohio for 6+ months.

If you don't yet agree on everything, you'll likely need a divorce instead. See Warren divorce options.

Filing Fees

$400 with children · $300 without children · Hearing set 31–90 days after filing · Both spouses must attend

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution packet (no children) — $300 deposit

Petition for Dissolution & Waiver (UDRF Form 17) — Both spouses file jointly to tell the DR Court you have a complete agreement and want the marriage dissolved.
Separation Agreement (UDRF Form 19) — The contract that settles property, debt, and support. Both spouses must sign in front of a notary.
Waiver of Representation (DR Form 3) — Acknowledges that a self-represented spouse understands they are proceeding without an attorney.
JE Decree of Dissolution (UDRF Form 18) — The proposed final order ending the marriage. Warren requires this drafted and filed with the initial Petition.

Dissolution packet (with minor children) — $400 deposit

Petition for Dissolution & Waiver (UDRF Form 17) — The joint petition that opens the dissolution when you have minor children.
Shared Parenting Plan (UDRF Form 20) or Parenting Plan (UDRF Form 21) — Use the Shared Parenting Plan (Form 20) for joint residential status or the sole-custody Parenting Plan (Form 21). Warren also requires the proposed Decree of Shared Parenting with the initial filing.
Information for Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (DR Form 4) — Warren's UCCJEA affidavit confirming where the children have lived and Ohio's jurisdiction.
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.
IV-D Application for Child Support Services — Opens your case with Warren County CSEA so support can be collected, tracked, and enforced through wage withholding.

How to File Dissolution in Warren County

Reach a complete written agreement. Settle property, debts, spousal support, and (if applicable) parenting and child support before you file.
Assemble the joint packet. Petition (Form 17), notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), Waiver of Representation (Form 3), two Income/Expense/Property Affidavits (Form 1), and the proposed JE Decree (Form 18), plus the Shared Parenting Plan and CS Worksheet if you have children.
File for pre-approval and pay the deposit. Email the one-sided packet to DRFILINGS@warrencountyohio.gov. The deposit is $400 with children or $300 without.
Complete the H.O.P.E. seminar and attend the hearing. Both spouses complete the parenting seminar within 30 days of filing (if children under 16) and both appear at the hearing set 31–90 days after filing.

Warren County Practice Notes

Dissolution is agreed — not 'uncontested'. A dissolution requires a complete, signed agreement on every term before filing. It is different from an uncontested (default) divorce, where one spouse won't respond and the court proceeds without them. If even one issue is open, file a divorce.
The proposed Decree is filed up front. Warren County requires the JE Decree of Dissolution (Form 18) — and the Decree of Shared Parenting when children are involved — drafted and filed with the initial Petition, not later. Since 11/1/2023 documents are rejected if they omit the required child-support language.
Shared parenting plan must address every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor. A written Shared Parenting Plan must address physical living arrangements, holiday and vacation schedule, child support, decision-making authority, transportation, school and health-care decisions, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution. Plans that skip a factor are routinely sent back for revision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the residency requirements to file in Warren County?: For divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months immediately before filing and in Warren County for at least 90 days. For dissolution, only the 6-month Ohio residency applies. For Juvenile Court cases (never-married custody, paternity, child support), Ohio must be the children's 'home state' under the UCCJEA — generally, they've lived in Ohio for the last 6 months.
How much does it cost to file in Warren County?: Domestic Relations deposits (Clerk Breighton Smith, eff. 7/1/2025): a divorce or dissolution case is $400 with children and $300 without children; a case served by publication is $500; a married-living-apart custody/support complaint is $350; a post-decree motion is $75; and personal service by the Sheriff is $50 per party. An Affidavit of Indigency reduces the deposit to $15. Juvenile Court complaints (custody, parentage, support, visitation, shared parenting) are $160 plus $50 per additional child, and Juvenile motions are $75. Civil Protection Orders have no filing fee.
How long does a Warren County case usually take?: Dissolution: the hearing is set 31–90 days after filing. Uncontested (non-contested) divorce or legal separation: the hearing is set 65 or more days after filing. Contested divorce: the Supreme Court guideline is 12 months without children and 18 months with children. Post-decree motions are heard in about 4–6 weeks. Civil Protection Orders: an ex parte order can issue the same day, with a full hearing held shortly after.
Is the parenting class (H.O.P.E. seminar) required in Warren County?: Yes. Warren County requires both parents in a divorce, dissolution, or legal separation with children under 16 to complete the H.O.P.E. for Families in Divorce seminar (3 hours). Register online through the DR Court website within 30 days of filing or service. The custodial parent must complete it before the final hearing — both parties must complete it in a dissolution. A non-residential parent who fails to attend can have parenting time suspended. A 50-mile exception lets you take another court's class with pre-approval.
Does Warren County offer mediation or other ways to settle?: Yes. Court-connected mediation is free and addresses parenting issues (it is not used for domestic-violence prosecution or CPO terms, and DV screening is required). Warren County also offers Cooperative Dispute Resolution (CDR) — a confidential ~3-hour session where a Court Assessor (Chief Magistrate Renee Crist or Magistrate Kyra Raimey) gives an advisory opinion on the probable trial outcome. Briefs are due 2 weeks before the session. Parenting Coordination and the Collaborative Process are also available.

Free Local Resources in Warren County

Warren County DR Help Center & Document Center. The DR Help Center at 500 Justice Drive helps self-represented parties fill out printed Document Center forms on Tuesdays 1–3 p.m. and Thursdays 9–11 a.m. All Domestic Relations forms and case-type filing packets are posted at warrencountyohio.gov/Domestic_Relations_Court/Forms.
Warren County Probate/Juvenile Legal Help Center. Walk-in help at 900 Memorial Drive on Thursdays 8 a.m.–noon, where an attorney answers legal questions and provides filing packets regardless of financial situation (no attorney-client relationship is formed).
Warren County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Warren County's IV-D agency at (513) 695-1580, csea.warrencountyohio.gov, opens and enforces support cases, runs the Ohio Income Shares calculation, and processes payments through OCSPC.
Warren County CASA Program. More than 50 trained CASA volunteers, directed by Melissa Perduk, advocate for abused and neglected children in the child-welfare system. Details at warrencountyohio.gov/Probate_Juvenile/CASA/CASA/Index.

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.

Keep exploring

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Cincinnati family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cincinnati 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.

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