Free - Ohio

C-09 eff. 1/07

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
BUTLER COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT DISCLAIMER: This form has been provided to you as a public service of the Butler County Domestic Relations Court. If you choose to represent yourself and use this form, please understand that state law prohibits the staff of the Domestic Relations Court to provide legal advice. Local Rules of Court are available online at www.butlercountyohio.org/drCourt and from the Clerk of Courts' Office for $5.00. If you have questions regarding your legal rights, or your responsibilities, you must contact an attorney. You can call Legal Aid at 241-9400 or the Butler County Bar Association at 896-6671. DEFINITION: Dissolution of marriage is a legal end to the relationship between spouses. All terms of the dissolution must be agreed upon at time of filing. This includes issues relating to support, parenting and property. STEPS FOR FILING A PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE 1. Before filing for a final hearing of dissolution, all pleadings must be completed and submitted to the Butler County Domestic Relations Case Management Office for review. The Case Management Office will determine if your petition complies with the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and local rule of court. 2. If you are filing for a dissolution of marriage and there are no minor children involved, you must prepare and complete the following forms: a. b. c. d. e. Petition for Dissolution (original plus 1 copy must be submitted); Separation Agreement (original plus 1 copy must be submitted); Decree of Dissolution (original plus 4 copies must be submitted); Waiver of Service, if applicable (original plus 1 copy must be submitted); Waiver of Representation, if applicable (original plus 1 copy must be submitted);

The Court will provide you with the following forms to be completed: a. A Family Information Sheet (Form DR729); b. An Affidavit of Property (Form DR602-B) to be exchanged between the parties; c. If spousal support is ordered, an Affidavit of Income (Form DR602-A) to be exchanged between the parties, an Affidavit of Expenses (Form DR602-C) to be exchanged between the parties, a Withholding Order Information Sheet (Form DR201) and an Addendum to Separation Agreement-Division of Personal Property (Form DR634). 3. If you are filing for dissolution of marriage and there are minor children involved, you must prepare and complete the following forms: a b. c. d. Petition for Dissolution (original plus 1 copy must be submitted); Separation Agreement (original plus 1 copy must be submitted); Decree of Dissolution (original plus 6 copies must be submitted); Waiver of Service, if applicable (original plus 1 copy must be submitted);

C-09 eff. 1/07

e. Waiver of Representation, if applicable (original plus 1 copy must be submitted); f. A Shared Parenting Plan, if applicable (original plus 1 copy must be submitted g. A Decree of Shared Parenting, if applicable (original plus 6 copies must be submitted). The Court will provide you with the following forms to be completed: a. A Family Information Sheet (Form DR729); b. An Affidavit of Property (Form DR602-B)to be exchanged between the parties; c. If child support is ordered, an Affidavit of Income (Form DR602-A) to be exchanged between the parties, a Child Support Calculation Sheet and Guidelines (Form DR626), A IV-D Form (ODHS 7076), and a Withholding Order Information Sheet (Form DR201). d. If spousal support is ordered, an Affidavit of Income (Form DR602-A)to be exchanged between the parties, an Affidavit of Expenses (Form DR602-C) to be exchanged between the parties, a Withholding Order Information Sheet (Form DR201) and an Addendum to Separation Agreement-Division of Personal Property (Form DR634); e. An Addendum to Separation Agreement (Form C-15); f. A Notice to Attend Mandatory Education Class (Form DR628); g. An Information for Parenting Proceeding Affidavit (Form DR616); h. A Guidelines for Parents Living in Different Homes (Form DR803). 4. Once your petition and forms are completed, you must submit them to the Case Management Office for review and approval. The Case Management Office will determine if your petition and forms comply with the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rules of Court. 5. After your petition and forms are approved, you will need to file it with the Clerk of Courts' Office and pay the filing fee. Please contact the Clerk of Courts at 887-3278 if you have any questions about methods of payment for filing fees. If there are minor children born of the marriage If you there are no minor children born of the marriage $262.00 $157.00

6. Once filed, your case will automatically be set for hearing, and notices will be sent to you at the addresses listed on the petition. By law, the final hearing date cannot be set less than thirty (30) days or more than ninety (90) days after the date the petition is filed with the Clerk of Courts' Office. 7. On the day of hearing BOTH PARTIES MUST BE PRESENT for the hearing to occur. You must bring a photo ID to your hearing. If you have no photo ID, and no way to obtain one, you must bring your social security card. Your case cannot proceed without the appropriate identification. 8. If one or both parties cannot be present, the parties must notify the Judicial Case Manager at least seven (7) days before the scheduled hearing date by dialing (513) 887-3356 (Hamilton) or (513) 424-5351 ext. 3356 (Middletown).