Prepare your documents for Dissolution in Ohio

Gathering documentation strengthens your case when filing for a dissolution of marriage in Ohio. While both parties must agree on all terms, providing organized and accurate documentation ensures the process goes smoothly and minimizes delays.

The following are accepted types of documentation under Ohio law:

Evidence Type 1: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
Both spouses must jointly file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court. This document outlines all agreed-upon terms, including property division, debts, child custody, and spousal support. It must be signed by both parties and notarized before submission.

Evidence Type 2: Separation Agreement
A written Separation Agreement is required in Ohio dissolutions. It details how property, assets, debts, and parenting responsibilities will be divided. This agreement must reflect mutual consent and fairness, and it must be submitted with the petition.

Evidence Type 3: Financial Disclosure Forms
Each spouse must complete a Financial Disclosure Affidavit. This includes information on:

• Income

• Assets (bank accounts, vehicles, real estate)

• Debts (credit cards, loans)

• Monthly expenses

Ohio courts use these to ensure full financial transparency and fair division.

Evidence Type 4: Parenting Plan (If Minor Children Involved)
If children are involved, a Shared Parenting Plan or Parenting Time Schedule is required. This plan must address:

• Residential parent designation

• Visitation schedules

• Holiday/vacation arrangements

• Decision-making responsibilities

• Child support

This plan must be agreed upon by both parents and serve the best interests of the child.

Evidence Type 5: Child Support Worksheet
Ohio requires a Child Support Worksheet if minor children are involved. This standardized form calculates support obligations using both parties' incomes and parenting time allocations. The court may review this to ensure the calculated support is appropriate.

Evidence Type 6: Court Appearance for Final Hearing
Although dissolution is uncontested, both spouses must appear for a final court hearing. The judge will review your documents, confirm agreement on all terms, and may ask brief questions before issuing the final decree of dissolution.

After the screening, this website will guide you through the rest of the steps to create your case documents.

Just so you know: To file for a dissolution of marriage in Ohio, both spouses must complete and submit a specific set of official Ohio court forms. These forms include questions about your marriage, assets, debts, children (if any), and the agreements you've reached.

The most important form is the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, which must be jointly filed by both spouses along with a Separation Agreement that outlines all agreed-upon terms.

If the paperwork is complete and valid, the court will accept the filing and schedule a final hearing—typically within 30 to 90 days.

If the judge finds that:

• The forms are incomplete

• Required agreements are missing

• One or both parties are not in agreement

• The court lacks jurisdiction (e.g., residency requirements not met)

—then the case may be rejected or converted to a divorce proceeding instead. In some cases, the court may request a status hearing or notify both parties to correct errors before proceeding.

After your petition is filed and accepted, the court will schedule a final hearing—typically within 30 to 90 days. Both you and your spouse must attend this hearing to finalize the dissolution.

During the hearing, the judge will review:

• The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

• The Separation Agreement and any related parenting plans

• Financial disclosures

• Any clarifications or updates since filing

If the judge finds that:

• Both parties are present and in full agreement

• The paperwork is complete and legally sufficient

• All legal requirements have been met (including those related to children, if any)