Dissolution of Marriage in Wayne County

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

Wayne County, Ohio · Wooster

A dissolution is Ohio's agreed, no-fault way to end a marriage. Both spouses sign a complete written agreement first, file a joint Petition (Form 17) at the Wayne County Domestic Relations Division, and appear together at one hearing 30 to 90 days later. The Clerk's deposit is $396 — lower than a divorce because there is nothing to litigate.

How does a dissolution work in Wayne County, Ohio?

Both spouses must agree on everything first — property, debt, support, and any parenting issues — and put it in a notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19). You then file a joint Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the local New Case Designation (Form 49) at the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 107 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, with the $396 deposit. If you have minor children you also file a parenting plan or shared-parenting plan, a child-support worksheet, the IV-D application, and complete the Helping Children Succeed seminar. The court holds one hearing 30 to 90 days after filing where both spouses appear and confirm the agreement, then signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).

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: Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, General & Domestic Relations Divisions

107 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: (330) 287-5590
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Website: www.waynecourtofcommonpleas.org
e-Filing: https://www.wayneclerkofcourts.org

Juvenile Branch (Never-Married Parents)

Wayne County Probate and Juvenile Court
107 W. Liberty Street, 2nd Floor, Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: (330) 287-5561
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Dissolution is the right path if…

You and your spouse agree on every issue — property, debt, and support.
You can agree on custody, parenting time, and child support if you have children.
Both of you are willing to sign a notarized Separation Agreement and appear at the hearing.
You want a faster, lower-cost path than a contested divorce.
Neither spouse needs the court to force disclosure or decide a disputed issue.

If your spouse won't cooperate or you can't fully agree, you'll need a divorce instead. See divorce in Wayne County.

Filing Fees

$396 Clerk deposit · One hearing 30–90 days after filing · Both spouses must appear · Fee waiver via Form 47 + Form 38 · Parenting seminar $35 per parent if you have children · Confirm current amounts with the Clerk at (330) 287-5590

Forms & Filing Packets

Dissolution without minor children — $396 Clerk deposit

The joint petition packet when there are no minor children.

New Case Designation Form (Wayne Form 49) — Required local cover sheet that opens every new Wayne DR case. File it on top of your pleading packet. Tip: The file is hosted under its legacy name ("Form 46") — that is the correct, current Form 49.
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 — $396 Clerk deposit

Adds the parenting and support filings for an agreed end of marriage with children.

New Case Designation Form (Wayne Form 49) — Required local cover sheet that opens every new Wayne DR case. File it on top of your pleading packet. Tip: The file is hosted under its legacy name ("Form 46") — that is the correct, current Form 49.
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.
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.
Shared Parenting Plan (Ohio SC Form 20) — Required when both parents are asking to be designated residential parents under R.C. 3109.04(G). Must be notarized.
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.
Application for Child Support Services (JFS 07076, Wayne Form 33) — Opens a IV-D case with the Wayne County CSEA so support is collected by wage withholding.
Helping Children Succeed — Parenting Seminar Notice (Wayne Form 37) — The court-ordered parenting seminar for cases with minor children (D.R. Rule 17). Current class details — $35 prepaid, register at least 2 business days ahead — are at ccwhc.org/services.
Decree of Dissolution (Ohio SC Form 18) — Proposed final order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Separation Agreement.

Can't afford the deposit

File these together if you cannot advance the Clerk's deposit.

Motion to Proceed Without Advancing a Filing Fee Deposit (Wayne Form 47) — File this with the Indigency Affidavit (Form 38) if you cannot advance the cost deposit.
Indigency Affidavit (Wayne Form 38) — Sworn financial affidavit that supports a fee-waiver request. Filed with Form 47. Tip: Two versions are published; confirm the current operative version with the Clerk if unsure.

How to File Dissolution in Wayne County

Reach a complete agreement. Settle property, debt, and support — and custody, parenting time, and child support if you have children — and put it in the Separation Agreement (Form 19), signed before a notary.
Prepare the joint petition packet. File the New Case Designation (Form 49), the joint Petition for Dissolution (Form 17), the Separation Agreement, financial affidavits, and the proposed Decree (Form 18). Add the parenting plan, support worksheet, and IV-D application if you have children.
File and pay. File jointly with the Clerk at 107 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, and pay the $396 deposit, or request a waiver with Form 47 and Form 38.
Complete the parenting seminar. If you have minor children, both parents finish the Helping Children Succeed seminar before the hearing.
Attend the hearing. Both spouses appear 30 to 90 days after filing to confirm the agreement; the court then signs the Decree of Dissolution.

Wayne County Practice Notes

Agreement comes first. Unlike a divorce, you cannot file a dissolution until the full Separation Agreement (Form 19) is signed and notarized. The agreement settles property, debt, support, and parenting in advance — the court is only confirming it, not deciding it.
Both spouses must appear at the hearing. Ohio requires both spouses to attend the final dissolution hearing, held 30 to 90 days after filing, and to tell the court on the record that they still want the dissolution and the agreement is fair. If either spouse changes their mind, the dissolution cannot be granted.
Children add parenting filings and the seminar. A dissolution with minor children needs a parenting or shared-parenting plan, a child-support worksheet, and the IV-D application, and both parents must complete the Helping Children Succeed seminar through the Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties before the hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a dissolution work in Wayne County?: Both spouses agree on everything and sign a notarized Separation Agreement (Form 19), then file a joint Petition for Dissolution (Form 17) with the New Case Designation (Form 49) and the $396 deposit. The court holds one hearing 30–90 days later where both spouses appear and confirm the agreement, then signs the Decree of Dissolution (Form 18).
How much does a dissolution cost in Wayne County?: The Clerk's deposit for a dissolution is $396. If you cannot advance it, file the Motion to Proceed Without Advancing a Filing Fee Deposit (Form 47) with the Indigency Affidavit (Form 38). Confirm the current amount with the Clerk at (330) 287-5590.
What's the difference between divorce and dissolution in Wayne County?: A dissolution is an agreed, no-fault end of marriage: both spouses sign a complete Separation Agreement first, then appear at one hearing 30–90 days later. The deposit is $396. A divorce is used when you don't fully agree or your spouse won't cooperate; the court decides disputed issues, and the deposit is $446.
How long does a dissolution take in Wayne County?: After you file the joint petition, the court schedules the final hearing 30 to 90 days later. Both spouses must attend and confirm on the record that they still want the dissolution and that the agreement is fair before the court grants it.
Is a parenting class required for family cases in Wayne County?: Yes. In divorce, dissolution, and legal-separation cases with minor children, both parents must complete the Helping Children Succeed seminar (D.R. Rule 17) through the Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties, 2285 Benden Drive, Wooster. It is $35 per parent, prepaid, and you must register at least 2 business days ahead at ccwhc.org/services or (330) 264-9029. Children ages 8–12 may attend the Kids First program.

Free Local Resources in Wayne County

Wayne County Clerk of Courts. Posts current filing fees and DR forms, and processes filings. Court Costs & Fees schedule at wayneclerkofcourts.org. Call (330) 287-5590 to confirm deposits and packet requirements before filing.
Wayne County Domestic Relations Division. Publishes the numbered DR forms (1–53) and required-document packets at waynecourtofcommonpleas.org/resources/domestic-relations-templates. The DR scheduler, Tina Porter, can be reached at 330-287-5547.
Wayne County Probate and Juvenile Court. Handles parentage, custody, parenting time, and support for never-married parents, plus non-parent custody. Forms at wayneprobateandjuvenile.org; phone 330-287-5561. A juvenile help desk meets the 1st and 3rd Friday.
Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties — Parenting Seminar. Provides the court-ordered Helping Children Succeed seminar and the Kids First program (ages 8–12) at 2285 Benden Drive, Wooster. $35 per parent, prepaid; register at least 2 business days ahead at ccwhc.org/services or (330) 264-9029.
Wayne County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Opens IV-D support cases, runs wage withholding, distributes payments, and enforces orders (2% processing fee). File the IV-D Application (JFS 07076) to establish or modify 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.
Akron family law — Local attorneys and courts serving the Akron 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.

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