Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Cuyahoga County's Revised Domestic Violence Rule (Local Rule 26) Is Effective Today, 5/1/12

Today, May 1, 2012, is the effective date for Cuyahoga County Domestic Relation's Court's revised Domestic Violence Rule, Local Rule 26. The Court's website also provides access to domestic violence forms, information and FAQ's. All of the Court's Local Rules can be found on the Court's website.

Akron Opens New Domestic-Violence Felony Court-First in Ohio

Akron is the site of Ohio's very first Domestic-Violence Felony Court. According to the Columbus Dispatch:

"The court in Akron, funded mostly by grants, will handle cases of repeat violent felonies between spouses, former spouses and other couples throughout Summit County. Among charges the court might handle are aggravated arson, rape, aggravated assault, felony menacing by stalking and kidnapping."

Apparently, the court already has 15 cases since it started on October 3rd, with a goal of adjudicating 350 cases per year. The article also indicates that "A goal [of the new court] is to keep offenders out of prison by using intensive probation that would ultimately land an offender behind bars if it’s violated."

Click here to read another article about the court from newsnet5.com.

New Changes Enable Parents with Child Support Arrears to Drive Again

Yesterday, September 28, 1011, HB 153 changed the rules governing sanctions for failure to pay child support in Ohio. Among other changes, the new law allows parents who can pay some support to keep or get their driver's license. It appears that the law encourages parents to work in an attempt to pay off their child support obligations and arrearages. A decent summary of the new law can be found in the Plain Dealer.  Interestingly, an earlier article from onntv indicated that 341 parents are currently serving as inmates because they have not paid their child support.

New Judgment Entry Forms for Divorce and Dissolution Are Now in Effect in Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court

New judgment entry forms for divorce and dissolution became effective this week in Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court. The new forms are available at the Court's website.

Effective May 1, 2011, Cuyahoga County DR Court Creates New Process for Mutual Restraining Orders

Beginning on May 1, 2011, the local Domestic Relations Court for Cuyahoga County will institute new procedures for restraining orders prohibiting a spouse from returning to the marital residence and for mutual restraining orders. Under revised Rule 24, mutual orders will issue in all cases once a complaint for divorce, annulment or legal separation is filed.

Starting March 1, 2011, Cuyahoga County DR Court Will Send All Notices of Hearings to Counsel by Email

Starting next week on March 1, 2011, the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court will send all notices of hearings to counsel by email. Each attorney practicing before the court is required to complete and submit a form to register his or her email address. 

Cuyahoga County DR Court Seeks Input for New Rules Committee

The Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court has created a new Rules committee to review and update its current local rules. The committee is seeking input from lawyers, litigants and other interested parties. The committee requests that comments be sent to the following email address:   drlocalrules@cuyahogacounty.us

Cuyahoga County DR Fees Will Increase Effective December 1, 2010

The Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court is increasing its fees on December 1, 2010:

"The Court has revised Local Rule 1 pertaining to Security for Cost effective December 1, 2010.  Under the new rule the advance deposit will increase from $250.00 to $300.00 when a contested divorce is filed where there are children.  Deposits will increase from $100.00 to $200.00 when requests involving parenting modifications or changes to shared parenting plans are filed.  The deposit for filing other post-decree motions will increase from $45.00 to $50.00."

Click here to read a copy of new Local Rule 1.

 

Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court Now Offers Mediation in Pending Cases Involving Children

The Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court has partnered with the Cuyahoga County Department of Justice Affairs, Office of Mediation to offer mediation in pending cases involving children. This new process was instituted under Local Rule 32, which provides that mediation can be ordered on the court's own motion or at the request of either or both of the parties. The Court's news release describes the services mediation is intended to provide and the outcome it is intended to achieve as follows:

"Mediation is a process in which parents develop their own parenting plan with the help of the mediator. It is a method of problem solving without the financial and emotional costs often associated with litigation. The mediator is a neutral third party who encourages parents to discuss the issues concerning their children and help them reach an agreement. The parents control the outcome and they can communicate with each other directly, in a safe environment. This reduces hostility and helps foster a rational discussion. The outcome of the mediation is limited only by the nature of the problem and the ability of the parents to work together for their child’s best interest."   

Alleged Bomber May Have Targeted Licking County Court

Judges beware. According to the Columbus Dispatch, a man who was supposedly so behind on his child support that a warrant had been issued for his arrest had a bomb in the back of his car that was allegedly for the Licking County Court. Thankfully, his car crashed into a church near where he had been staying, and the officers intervened.