Completing the Final Decree for Dissolution without Children

Completing your dissolution decree

Before your final hearing, you must complete a set of forms for the Court to approve. This is called the “final decree.”

Follow these steps to fill out your final decree:

1. Download the forms.
2. Understand your scheduling order.
3. Complete each section of the decree.
4. Submit all documents to the Court's Compliance Office.

The forms explain the facts of your case and what will happen after the dissolution. You usually must submit them to the Court's Compliance Office at least 21 days before your final hearing.

Once the Judge reviews and approves the forms, your dissolution will be final.

You also may see the final decree called the:

• Final decree of dissolution
• Final judgment for dissolution
• Dissolution decree
• Final paperwork

If the Court has set a final hearing in your case, you should get a Court document called an “Order Scheduling Final Hearing,” or scheduling order, with the date and time of your final hearing. You must fill out the final decree and submit it to the Court’s Compliance Office before your final hearing.

Download the forms

You can download and fill out the forms you need to file a final decree for dissolution without children on this site. When you fill out the forms:

• Use a computer, if possible. It will be easier to complete the forms on a computer. If you can only use a phone, print the forms first and then fill them in neatly by hand.
• Write neatly. The Court will accept neat, handwritten forms. Use a blue pen, if possible. Print neatly.
• Do not cross out any information. If you make a mistake writing by hand, use whiteout and then neatly enter the correct information.
• Give details. You must give the Court all the information it needs to finalize your dissolution.
• Take your time. Read each part carefully. It takes most people a long time to complete the final decree. Pace yourself and take breaks when you need them.

You can find information you need to fill out the forms in:

• Your case “docket.” Search for your dissolution case on the Montgomery County Clerk of Court’s website. Click on “docket” to find important dates, documents and information in your case.
• Your scheduling order. The Court sends a document that gives the date of your final hearing. Look for the words “Order Scheduling Final Hearing.” This is your scheduling order.
• Your dissolution paperwork. Use information from the dissolution paperwork you already filed with the Court, including your petition for dissolution.

If you have a lawyer, your lawyer should complete the final decree for you. If you don’t have one, it may be helpful to find a lawyer.

If you have a low income and are having a hard time with the forms, you may be able to get help from a volunteer lawyer. Call (937) 496-7766 or email [email protected] for more information. You may need to leave your name and phone number so a representative can get back to you.

Read this article to understand your scheduling order and to find details about each part of the final decree.

Learn more about the dissolution process in Montgomery County. 

Understand your scheduling order

Your scheduling order is a Court document that gives the date of your final hearing.

Look for a document called “Order Scheduling Final Hearing.” This is your scheduling order.

The order should have a paragraph that gives the date and time of your final hearing:

• “The above-captioned case has been scheduled for a final Dissolution hearing on [date of your final hearing] at [time of your final hearing] at the Dayton-Montgomery County Courts Building.”

You also can find the following information in your scheduling order:

• Petitioner 1 (or “1^st Petitioner)
• Petitioner 2 (or “2^nd Petitioner)
• Case number (or "Case no.”)
• Judge

Pay attention to the date of your final hearing and when to submit the final decree to the Court. You can also learn about getting ready for a hearing.

Complete each section of the decree

When you fill out the final decree:

• Read each part carefully. The decree includes several sections. There are many parts asking for details about your case. Take your time to understand what to enter. Give the Court all the information it’s asking for.
• Some parts won’t apply to your case. You can enter "N/A" or "not applicable" in the fields that don't apply to your case. Be sure to fill out all parts that do apply to your case.
• Find details about each section. Click on the following links for details about each section. Note: This article provides a general outline of how to complete the final decree. However, each case is different. Some of the information may not apply to you. You may need to take different steps than the ones outlined here.

Judgment Entry of Dissolution of Marriage (first page)

This page is used to give basic information about your dissolution.

Enter your information, including:

• Petitioner 1: Petitioner 1 is either you or your spouse. Check your petition for dissolution to find out which one of you is Petitioner 1.
• Petitioner 2: Petitioner 2 is the other person (you or your spouse). Check your petition for dissolution to find out which one of you is Petitioner 2.
• Case No. (or case number): This is the number the Court assigned to your case. It starts with the year your case was filed and is stamped on each document filed in your case.
• Judge: This is the name of the Judge assigned to your case. You can find the Judge's name on your scheduling order.

Check the box that applies to your dissolution:

• With Children
• Without Children

Also enter your case information, including:

• This matter came on for hearing on: Enter the date of your final hearing (not today's date). Check your scheduling order to find the date of your final hearing.
• Judge: Check the box for Judge, and enter the name of the Judge assigned to your case. Check your scheduling order to find the Judge's name.
• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage filed on: Enter the date your original petition for dissolution was filed (not today’s date). You can find the date the petition was filed on the docket or on the petition for dissolution.
• Present at the hearing were the following persons: List both of your names. 

Findings

This section is used to explain facts that are part of your case.

1. At the time of the filing

Enter your name and your spouse's name in the correct space.

Check one of the boxes to show who had lived in Ohio for at least six months before your petition for dissolution was filed:

• (my name): Check this box if just you and not your spouse lived in Ohio for at least six months before your petition for dissolution was filed.
• (my Spouse’s name): Check this box if just your spouse and not you lived in Ohio for at least six months before your petition for dissolution was filed.
• Both parties: Check this box if both of you lived in Ohio for at least six months before your petition for dissolution was filed.

2. Resident(s) of __ County

Enter your name and your spouse's name in the correct space. Enter Montgomery in the County space.

Check one of the boxes to show who had lived in Montgomery County for at least 90 days before your petition for dissolution was filed:

• (my name): Check this box if just you and not your spouse lived in Montgomery County for at least 90 days before your petition for dissolution was filed.
• (my Spouse’s name): Check this box if just your spouse and not you lived in Montgomery County for at least 90 days before your petition for dissolution was filed.
• Both parties: Check this box if both of you lived in Montgomery County for at least 90 days before your petition for dissolution was filed.

3. The parties were married to one another on

Enter when and where you were married, including:

• (date of marriage): Enter your full wedding date, including the month, day and year. Your marriage date should be on the docket. You also can request a copy of your marriage record from the Probate Court.
• (city or county, and state): Enter the city or county and state where you were married, such as “Dayton, Ohio.”

4. Check all that apply regarding children

Check which box applies to you regarding pregnancy:

• no child(ren) expected: Neither of you is pregnant.
• child(ren) expected: One of you is pregnant. Enter the baby’s due date.

Also check which one of these boxes applies to you regarding children:

• no child(ren) from this marriage or relationship: You don’t have any children together.
• parents of ___ child(ren) from the marriage: You have one or more children together. Enter the number of children.

5. Child(ren) subject to a custody or parenting order 

Use this section only if a child support or parenting time order is already in place for one or more of your children. List the child’s full name and the name of the Court or agency that issued the order. 

6. Petitioner ___ requests to be restored to former name

Use this section only if one of you wants to change your name back to the name you had before this marriage.

Note: You can use this section only to go back to the name you had right before this marriage, not a different name.

8. Upon examination under oath, the parties acknowledge

If a child or children are involved, check the correct box to show what you have agreed on:

• Shared Parenting Plan: You have a shared parenting plan. You must include your shared parenting plan with the forms you submit to the Court.
• Parenting Plan: You have a parenting plan. You must include your parenting plan with the forms you submit to the Court. 

9. Upon examination under oath, the parties acknowledge

Only check the box if you changed your separation agreement after your petition for dissolution was filed. If you check the box, also fill out the following: 

• as modified on: Enter the date you changed your separation agreement, including the month, day and year.

First: Dissolution Granted

Check only the boxes that apply to your case. Most people don't check any of the "amended" boxes because they don't have any amended (or changed) agreements.

• Separation Agreement: This is common. It means the separation agreement you filed with your petition for dissolution.
• Amended Separation Agreement: Most people don’t have this. It means you changed your original separation agreement after your petition for dissolution was filed and you now have an "amended" separation agreement.
• Shared Parenting Plan: Check this box if you have a shared parenting plan that you are attaching with the forms you submit to the Court.
• Amended Shared Parenting Plan: Most people don’t have this. It means you have a shared parenting plan that was changed since your petition for dissolution was filed.
• Parenting Plan: Check this box if you have a parenting plan that you are attaching with the forms you submit to the Court.
• Amended Parenting Plan: Most people don’t have this. Only check this box if you changed your parenting plan after your petition for dissolution was filed and now you have an "amended" parenting plan.
• Agreement: Check this box if you are attaching a separation agreement or an amended separation agreement. 
• Plan: Check this box if you are attaching a shared parenting plan or a parenting plan.

The parties shall fulfill each and every obligation imposed by the

Most people should check the "agreement" box for a dissolution without children:

• Agreement: This means you both will follow your separation agreement or amended separation agreement.
• Plan: This means you both will follow your parenting plan or shared parenting plan.

Second: Name

Use this section only if one of you wants to change your name back to the name you had before this marriage.

Note: You can use this section only to go back to the name you had right before this marriage, not a different name.

Third: Other

This is not common. This section may be used to list anything else that should be part of the dissolution.

Fourth: Court Costs

This section is used to explain who is responsible for paying Court costs in your case.

Court costs shall be (select one):

• Taxed to the deposit. Court costs due above the deposit to be paid as follows: This is the most common option. It means Court costs will be taken out of the filing fee paid at the start of the case. Also explain who can be billed for extra costs that may come up.
• Other (specify): This is where to explain anything else about Court costs. If you filed a Poverty Affidavit, note that here.

Both of you must sign the document. Also list your current phone numbers.

Submit all documents

Once you have completed the final decree, double check your packet of forms to make sure you have everything.

Your packet should include:

• Final Decree of Dissolution
• Your Separation Agreement

If you changed your separation agreement after your petition for dissolution was filed, only include your updated or "amended" separation agreement.

When you are done, submit your completed packet of forms to the Court’s Compliance Office for review. Bring your packet in person to Room 261 in the Courthouse.

A Compliance Officer is assigned to you based on the first letter of your last name.

First letter of your last name: Compliance Officer telephone number:

• A, B, C: (937)225-6053
• E, F, G, H: (937)224-3873
• D, I, J, K, L: (937)225-6031
• M, N, O, P, Q, R: (937)225-6059
• S, T, U, V: (937)496-3397
• W, X, Y, Z: (937)225-6050

The Compliance Office will contact you after the review is complete. They will tell you if you need to make changes to your forms. Note: They usually will contact you by phone, so make sure they have your correct phone number.

Follow their instructions and make any changes they tell you to make.

Once your decree is ready for submission, the Compliance Office will submit it to the Judge.

If you haven't submitted any paperwork yet and want to know more about the process, you can contact the Court Navigator at (937)496-7766.