Warren County Dissolution Attorneys

Reviewed by Stephanie Green · Managing Partner & Co-Founder · Last updated June 4, 2026

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.

Hire Gavvl for your Warren County dissolution case

Flat-fee and full-representation options: we handle the filings, the Warren 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 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.

Warren County dissolution, drafted so it clears the first time

A Warren County dissolution is the agreed, both-spouses-sign path to ending a marriage, but the county asks for more up front than most: the proposed JE Decree of Dissolution (UDRF Form 18) — and the Decree of Shared Parenting when there are children — must be drafted and filed with the initial Petition (Form 17) and notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), not later. Gavvl Law prepares that complete joint packet for the DR Court at 500 Justice Drive so your hearing gets set 31 to 90 days out, and both spouses walk in with an agreement that holds.

Decree filed with the petition, not after. Warren requires the proposed Form 18 decree in the opening packet, and since the required child-support language rule took effect it rejects documents that omit it. We draft the decree, Separation Agreement, and waivers together so the initial filing is complete and accepted on submission.
A separation agreement that survives the hearing. Because a dissolution collapses if even one term is open, we settle property, debt, spousal support, and parenting in a Form 19 agreement both spouses sign before a notary — closing the gaps that otherwise send couples back to the drawing board or into a contested divorce.
Shared parenting plans that hit every R.C. 3109.04(G) factor. When children are involved, Warren returns plans that skip a factor. We build the Form 20 plan covering living arrangements, holidays, decision-making, transportation, school and health care, tax exemptions, and dispute resolution so the court approves it without a revision round.

Only the 6-month Ohio residency applies to a dissolution — there is no 90-day county requirement — and both spouses must appear at the single hearing 31 to 90 days after filing. We keep the agreed track truly agreed, use flat-fee pricing for clean cases, and quietly convert to a divorce only if talks break down, so you never overpay for cooperation you already have.

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: Warren County Domestic Relations Court

500 Justice Drive, 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: Court website
e-Filing: Online e-filing portal

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Warren County Juvenile Court (Probate/Juvenile Division)
900 Memorial Drive, 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.

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.

Continue your Warren County research

Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
Cincinnati family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Cincinnati metro.
Warren County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Warren 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 (513) 643-1969 or email support@gavvl.com.