LEGAL ALERT: Ohio Domestic Relations Courts will Reopen Monday, May 4, 2020, in Southwestern Ohio but with Restrictions?

Alert Key Legal Update

Waiting To Proceed With Divorce? Domestic Relations Court Reopens Across Miami Valley On May 4, 2020

domestic relations court facial coveringDespite the extension of the shelter-in-place Order now until May 29th issued by Governor DeWine on Thursday, most of the local Miami Valley Domestic Relations Court have decided to reopen on Monday morning, May 4, 2020.  Most have been closed (or with limited staffing) hearing only emergency matters such as domestic violence cases.

Other “routine” scheduled matters, including pretrials, hearings and trials have been postponed (much to the frustration of the litigants and their lawyers). Many of these Courts have essentially “been dark” for over a month! Of course, this Court action was necessitated by the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

All Courts going forward seem to be incorporating the CDC guidelines to protect the health of the public and Court staff.

To Face Mask Or Not Face Mask – A List of Local Miami Valley Domestic Relations Court Facial Covering Rules

– Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court  is not specifically requiring folks to wear a facial covering to enter the building. Click here to read their Order filed on May 1, 2020.

– Greene County Domestic Relations Court is requiring individuals … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT: Ohio Domestic Relations Courts will Reopen Monday, May 4, 2020, in Southwestern Ohio but with Restrictions?”

Domestic Relations Court In Greene County Hires Nidiffer

An Introduction to Greene County Domestic Relations Court Staff Attorney Justin C. Nidiffer

domestic relations court greene county ohio
Justin C. Nidiffer

On February 9, 2015, I traveled to the Domestic Relations Court of Greene County, Ohio to interview Justin C. Nidiffer, the newly hired Staff Attorney for the named Court.  Justin advised me that he had completed an internship with the Court during his last year in law school and that he was so very pleased with that experience.  It was apparent to me that the Domestic Relations Court was very satisfied with Justin’s performance as the Court hired him as their very first Staff Attorney to commence his position on January 1, 2015.

What will Justin’s responsibilities be?

  1. He will be reviewing new cases filed with the Court and examining the pleadings and Financial Affidavits of the parties.  He will then be preparing and filing the Court’s Temporary Orders of Custody and Support.  He will be working closely with Judge Steven Hurley, Magistrate Cynthia Martin, and Magistrate Kimberly Combs.
  2. He will be conducting Case Management Conferences with the attorneys involved in each case.  If a Guardian ad Litem or a Family Investigation is needed, he will prepare the Entry regarding same.  He will
… Read More... “Domestic Relations Court In Greene County Hires Nidiffer”

Understanding the Courts: Family Relations Department of the Domestic Relations Court of Montgomery County, Ohio

courtmc.jpgWhat Does the Family Relations Department of the Domestic Relations Court of Montgomery County, Ohio, do for the court and for the clients of the court?

The Family Relations Department entered into a Memorandum of Understanding Program Description wherein it describes it will provide the following services:

  • Guardian Ad Litem Services
  • Parenting Time Facilitation
  • Parenting Time Investigations
  • Home Study Investigations
  • Other.

An Interview with Sandra Fredrick, Manager of the Family Relations Department of the Domestic Relations Court of Montgomery County, Ohio, took place on Monday, June 30, 2008, with the specific intent to answer the question posited above.

Ms. Fredrick advised me that she had been with the Court since 1978, this being her thirtieth (30th) year with the Court. She explained to me that it was during Judge Charles Lowman’s term with the Court that he caused the Guardian Ad Litem program to be initiated to assist the Court with issues of custody, visitation, and other disputed child-related issues, especially for persons who did not have the money to pay for a psychological evaluation of the parties.

While the cost of a private psychological evaluation of the parties and significant others could easily exceed the sum of $2500.00, … Read More... “Understanding the Courts: Family Relations Department of the Domestic Relations Court of Montgomery County, Ohio”