Washington County Dissolution Attorneys

Hire Gavvl for your Washington County dissolution case

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

Washington County dissolution, handled by Gavvl Law

A dissolution only works when every term is agreed and every document is right the first time — and Washington County's Local Rule 27 spells out exactly what the joint petition, separation agreement, and financial affidavits must include before the Clerk's Legal Division will set your 30-to-90-day hearing. Gavvl Law drafts the agreement, assembles the local with-children or no-children packet, and files it jointly at 205 Putnam Street so both spouses walk into a single hearing with the decree ready to sign — for one flat fee approved up front, with payment plans available.

• A separation agreement the court will sign. A Washington County dissolution turns entirely on the separation agreement — property, debt, spousal support, and, with children, a parenting plan and 2024 support worksheet. We draft it to cover every Local Rule 27 item so the General Division judge isn't sending you back to revise it before the final hearing.
• The 30-to-90-day window, planned backward. By statute (R.C. 3105.64) your hearing lands 30 to 90 days after filing, and with minor children the once-a-month Successful Co-Parenting class ($30 exact cash, second Monday, pre-registered at (740) 376-7431) has to be finished first. We calendar the class and the hearing together so nothing pushes your decree back a month.
• One flat fee for an agreed case. Because a dissolution is fully agreed, we quote one flat fee approved before we start and offer payment plans, and if talks break down we can convert the matter to a contested divorce at the same General Division without you starting over with a new firm.

We file dissolutions with the Washington County Clerk's Legal Division at (740) 373-6623 ext. 2503 routinely, so the $350 deposit, the Local Rule 27 checklist, and the General Division's scheduling in Marietta are familiar ground when we prepare your joint petition.

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.

Where to File: Washington County Court of Common Pleas

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Washington County Juvenile Court
205 Putnam St, 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

How to File Dissolution in Washington County

1. Reach a complete agreement. Settle property, debts, spousal support, and (if children) custody, parenting time, and support before filing — a dissolution requires full agreement.
2. 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).
3. File jointly with the $350 deposit. File at the Clerk of Courts, Legal Division, 205 Putnam St., Marietta — both spouses are petitioners.
4. Complete Successful Co-Parenting (if children). Both parents complete the OSU Extension class and file the certificate before the final hearing.
5. 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.

Other Family-Law Topics in Washington County

• Statewide Custody Overview — How Ohio custody and parenting time work at a high level.
• Talk to a Family Law Attorney — Connect with a Washington County custody attorney for help with your case.

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 Washington County family law

• Ohio Dissolution guide — Statewide overview of dissolution in Ohio.
• Columbus family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Columbus metro.
• Washington County family law guide — Court info, local filing notes, FAQs, and the downloadable Washington 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.