Filing for Dissolution in Washington County

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

Washington County, Ohio · Marietta

A dissolution is the no-fault, fully agreed way to end a marriage: both spouses jointly file a petition with a complete, signed separation agreement (and a parenting plan and support worksheet if there are children). Nobody sues anybody — the court reviews and approves the agreement at a single hearing 30 to 90 days after filing. In Washington County the joint petition is filed with the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, at the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, with a $350 deposit, using the county's local dissolution packets.

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

Both spouses sign the Petition for Dissolution and the Separation Agreement, then file jointly with the Washington County Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, 205 Putnam St., Marietta, with the $350 deposit. Washington County posts local dissolution packets — one for couples with children and one for couples without. Local Rule 27 lists the documents required at filing; with children, add the support worksheet, a parenting plan, and a IV-D application, and both parents complete the Successful Co-Parenting class. The final hearing is held 30 to 90 days after filing.

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: Washington County Court of Common Pleas

205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Website: washingtongov.org/269/Common-Pleas-Court---General-Division

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Washington County Juvenile Court
205 Putnam St, Marietta, OH 45750, Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on everything: property, debts, spousal support, and all parenting terms.
You both will sign the petition, separation agreement, and (if children) the parenting plan.
You want the fastest, lowest-conflict path — a single hearing 30–90 days after filing.
You or your spouse have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months.

If any issue is still unresolved — or your spouse won't sign — file a divorce instead. Compare divorce.

Filing Fees

$350 deposit (some packets print $330 — confirm with the Clerk) · final hearing 30–90 days after filing (R.C. 3105.64) · Local Rule 27 lists required documents · confirm amounts with the Clerk at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503

Forms & Filing Packets

Joint dissolution packet (no minor children) — $350 deposit (confirm vs. $330 with the Clerk)

Both spouses sign and file the local no-children dissolution packet together, with the financial affidavits (Local Rule 27).

Petition for Dissolution without Children packet (Washington County) — The local joint-dissolution packet for couples with no minor children, including the petition, separation agreement, and required affidavits.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Washington County) — Washington County's local financial affidavit listing your income, expenses, and monthly budget. Required in divorce, dissolution, and legal-separation filings.
Affidavit of Property & Debt (Washington County) — Washington County's local affidavit listing marital and separate property and debts, used by the court to divide assets and obligations.

Joint dissolution packet (with minor children) — $350 deposit (confirm vs. $330 with the Clerk)

Use the local with-children dissolution packet and add the support worksheet, a parenting plan, and a IV-D application. Register for Successful Co-Parenting.

Petition for Dissolution with Children packet (Washington County) — The local joint-dissolution packet for couples with minor children, including the petition, separation agreement, and required affidavits. Both spouses sign and file together with the Clerk of Courts.
Affidavit of Income & Expenses (Washington County) — Washington County's local financial affidavit listing your income, expenses, and monthly budget. Required in divorce, dissolution, and legal-separation filings.
Affidavit of Property & Debt (Washington County) — Washington County's local affidavit listing marital and separate property and debts, used by the court to divide assets and obligations.
Affidavit of Health Insurance (Washington County) — States who can provide health insurance for the children and at what cost — required whenever child support is at issue.
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.
Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 21) — Used when one parent will be designated residential parent and legal custodian.
Application / Questionnaire for Child Support Services (IV-D) — Opens a IV-D case with the Washington County Child Support Enforcement Agency so it can calculate, collect, and enforce support. File whenever a support order is requested.

How to File Dissolution in Washington County

Reach a complete agreement. Settle property, debts, spousal support, and (if children) custody, parenting time, and support before filing — a dissolution requires full agreement.
Prepare the joint packet. Both spouses sign the local dissolution packet (with-children or no-children) and the financial affidavits; with children, add the support worksheet, a parenting plan, and a IV-D application (Local Rule 27).
File jointly with the $350 deposit. File at the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, 205 Putnam St., Marietta — both spouses are petitioners.
Complete Successful Co-Parenting (if children). Both parents complete the OSU Extension class and file the certificate before the final hearing.
Attend the final hearing. Both spouses attend the hearing 30–90 days after filing and confirm the agreement; the judge signs the decree.

Washington County Practice Notes

DR filing deposit is $350 (some packets still print $330). Washington County's Domestic Relations filing deposit is $350. A few older packets still show $330, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503 before filing. Service by publication adds $750, and a Poverty Affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) is available if you can't afford the deposit.
Local Rule 27 lists what to file. Washington County's Local Rule 27 spells out the documents required for a dissolution — the petition, the signed separation agreement, the financial affidavits, and (with children) a parenting plan and support worksheet. Assemble the complete packet before going to the clerk so the hearing isn't delayed.
No separate Domestic Relations court. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are heard by the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas — there is no separate DR division. Two general-division judges preside, Hon. Nicole Coil (Courtroom A) and Hon. John M. Halliday (Courtroom B), and Domestic Relations Magistrate Laura Silwani (ext. 2303) hears many domestic matters. File through the Clerk's Legal Division at 205 Putnam St., Marietta.
"Successful Co-Parenting" is required with minor children. Each parent in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody case with minor children completes "Successful Co-Parenting" through OSU Extension–Washington County and files the certificate before the final hearing. The class meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta; the fee is $30 in exact cash; pre-register at (740) 376-7431.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dissolution take in Washington County?: By statute (R.C. 3105.64) the final hearing in a dissolution is held 30 to 90 days after the joint petition is filed. Both spouses sign a complete separation agreement (and a parenting plan and support worksheet if there are children), file jointly with the Clerk of Courts, attend the hearing together, and the judge signs the decree. Local Rule 27 lists the documents required at filing, so assemble the full packet before going to the clerk.
How much does it cost to file for divorce or dissolution in Washington County?: The Domestic Relations filing deposit is $350, paid to the Clerk of Courts when you file. Some older Washington County packets still print a $330 figure, so confirm the current amount with the Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503 before filing. Service by publication adds $750, and a Poverty Affidavit (Affidavit of Indigency) is available if you can't afford the deposit. Post-decree motions to change custody, modify support, or modify visitation are $200 each.
Does Washington County have a separate Domestic Relations court?: No. Washington County has no separate Domestic Relations division. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment are all heard by the General Division of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, filed through the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, at 205 Putnam St., Marietta. Two general-division judges — Hon. Nicole Coil (Courtroom A) and Hon. John M. Halliday (Courtroom B) — preside, and Domestic Relations Magistrate Laura Silwani (ext. 2303) hears many domestic matters.
What parenting class is required in Washington County, and what does it cost?: Washington County uses "Successful Co-Parenting," run by OSU Extension–Washington County. The class meets the second Monday of each month from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta, costs $30 in exact cash, and requires pre-registration at (740) 376-7431. Parents in a divorce, dissolution, legal separation, or custody case with minor children complete it and file the certificate before the final hearing. Confirm the current schedule and fee when you register.

Free Local Resources in Washington County

Washington County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division. Provides current filing fees, local forms, and filing instructions for custody, divorce, and dissolution cases. Call (740) 373-6623, ext. 2503 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM), or visit https://washingtongov.org/269/Common-Pleas-Court---General-Division before filing to confirm deposits and packet requirements.
Washington County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Washington County's IV-D agency, (740) 373-9324 (4th floor), opens child-support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders. File a IV-D Application when establishing or modifying support.
"Successful Co-Parenting" Parenting Class — OSU Extension. The court-approved parenting-education class for parents with minor children, run by OSU Extension–Washington County. Meets the second Monday of each month, 3:00–5:00 p.m., at 1115 Gilman Ave., Marietta; $30 in exact cash; pre-register at (740) 376-7431. File the certificate before the final hearing.

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