Getting a Dissolution
To file for a dissolution in Lorain County, you will need to sit down with your spouse to fill out a number of detailed forms. This page will help you understand what you should think through, provide the forms and explain the timeline of the dissolution process.
A dissolution is sometimes called an "uncontested" way to end your marriage and is faster than filing for a divorce. The whole process can be completed in 30 to 90 days.
You and your spouse will need to agree on all parts of what will happen after the marriage ends to get a dissolution. You will need to put all of the agreement in writing and file a detailed set of paperwork. If you find that you and your spouse can't agree on everything you need to include in the paperwork, you may want to consider filing for a divorce instead.
If you’re in an abusive relationship, consider speaking with a lawyer. Abuse can complicate a dissolution. Working with a lawyer can help keep you safe while ending your marriage.
Who can file for dissolution?
You must meet certain criteria to get a dissolution. To file in Lorain County:
- You or your spouse must have lived in Ohio for at least 6 months, and in Lorain County for at least 90 days. If you both have lived in Lorain County for 90 days, you will need to file in Lorain County. If one of you lives in Lorain County and one of you lives in another county, you can choose to file in the other county.
- If you or your spouse are pregnant, you can't finalize a dissolution. You will need to wait until the baby is born.
You can find information about dissolution of marriage in Domestic Relations Court Rule 22.
Think through what you need
Before you file, you need to gather information and make some decisions.
- Understand your financials. You will need details on your incomes, debts and assets. Go to Getting Organized for Your Divorce or Dissolution for an overview of the information you will need.
- Define your parenting plan. If you have children, you will need to agree on exactly how you will raise them and if one of the parents will provide child support to the other. Learn more about custody and visitation and child support.
- Define how money, property and bills should be divided. The Court will expect you to fairly divide everything you bought and all the debts you took on in the marriage. Learn more about dividing your property and debts. If you decide that one spouse will pay the other spousal support, you will also need to agree on the amount, length and other terms of the support. Learn more about spousal support.
Complete your paperwork
On this site, you can use the Dissolution without Children or Dissolution with Children form assistant to fill out the forms you need to file with the Court. The form assistant will ask you some questions, which you can answer on any phone or computer. It can take a few hours to complete all the necessary information. You will be able to save your progress and return to complete your forms if you need to.
Both you and your spouse will need to agree to all of the information in all of the forms.
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The cost to file for a dissolution in Lorain County is $380 for a dissolution with children and $280 for a dissolution without children.
If you have a low income and can’t afford the filing fee, you can choose to add a Poverty Affidavit to create an additional form to file with your packet of documents. This form asks that you be allowed to file without paying a fee upfront. You may still be responsible for paying the fee at the end of the case.