Lucas County Domestic Relations Court
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Domestic Relations Court
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David Lewandowski, Administrative Judge
Norman Zemmelman,Judge
The Domestic Relations Court was established in 1924 by an act of Ohio Legislature. Originally, this court had jurisdiction in all juvenile matters, as well as, divorces and post divorce motions for families residing in Lucas County, thus the term "Family Court." Eventually, it became clear that issues involving juveniles (less than 18 years of age) had increased and were becoming more complex. Therefore, in 1977 the Ohio legislature created the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, which became the fourth division of the common pleas court joining the Domestic Relations, General and Probate Divisions. Today, these four divisions represent The Lucas County Common Pleas Courts.
The Domestic Relations Division of the Common Pleas Court hears only civil cases of families involved in divorce, a dissolution of marriage, annulment, legal separation, child custody, visitation, child support, property division, spousal support and all post divorce motions after the marriage has terminated.
The Court Counseling Department was first established as The Friend of the Court when, in 1938 Judge Paul Alexander hired the court’s first divorce caseworker. Today, the counseling department provides family evaluations for divorce and post-divorce issues litigated about children, intake services for domestic violence victims, and other relief, mediation, conciliation assessments, post-divorce case management/supervision, planning and scheduling for the parent education program and other services as social concerns and the law changes.
Domestic violence victims may be granted a Civil Protection Order (CPO). Victims are interviewed to determine the extent of their petition to the court for a protection order. Hearings associated with the CPO are conducted within 10 days through the Domestic Relations Court.
The information on this web site provides a general overview, any further questions may be addressed by contacting the court at 419-213-6800 or 419-213-6850.
NOTICE:
A new fee of $20.00 will be assessed on each QDRO filing effective January 1, 2004.
Filing fees for divorce, legal separation, annulment, and dissolution will increase effective January 1, 2004. These revised fees will be:
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Without Children
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With Children
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Divorce, Legal Separation Annulment
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$200.00
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$250.00
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Dissolution
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$200.00
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$225.00
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These changes are in accordance with The Rules Governing The Courts Of Ohio, Rules Of Superintendence For The Courts Of Ohio, Rule 5.
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