Preferences and Practices

Please be on time and be prepared for your hearing.  Upon arrival, always check in with the court officer located inside the courtroom. If you are not able to appear on time for the hearing, please contact all parties/counsel, Guardian ad Litem, if appointed, and the Court and provide a phone number at which you may be reached.

If you fail to appear and/or communicate with the Court, your case may be dismissed or continued. . 

Open Door Policy
I have an open-door policy. I am happy to meet with all parties/counsel anytime that I am available to assist in resolving issues. If you have a question about a practice or procedure of mine, or how a hearing may be held, please feel free to email me and include all parties and counsel.

Professionalism and Civility

All parties and counsel shall be professional, prepared, and civil with all court personnel, opposing parties, and counsel. Please do not attempt to discuss the substance of a case with me unless all parties or their attorneys are present.

Continuances

Continuances will be granted for good cause and should be requested at the earliest opportunity prior to the scheduled hearing. If you are seeking the continuance, you must contact the opposing party or attorney and the Guardian Ad Litem, if appointed, and request their approval.

Temporary Orders

I like to hold a status conference with parties/counsel to discuss the issues and possible resolutions prior to obtaining a date for supplemental affidavits. If the amount of information available to the other party or the Court is insufficient, the hearing may be continued for further discovery.

Rule 75 De Novo Hearings

Civil Rule 75(N)(2) provides for an oral hearing, which may be waived for the submission of supplemental affidavits. If an oral hearing is requested, each party shall have the opportunity to present a time limited appellate style argument. Based upon the issues presented, I may request the submission of affidavits, swear in parties or witnesses to clarify the information provided or determine another procedure that would best address the pending motion.

Settlement and Mediation

Settlement is encouraged by the court. Options and considerations for settlement are typically provided by the Magistrate on the date of the hearing. Mediation may be required by the court prior to having a hearing on any matters.

Trials

Unless specified, any time your case is set for hearing, it may go to trial. Please be prepared.

Children

Children are not permitted in the courtroom. Please do not bring your children to court unless specifically instructed to do so. It is a violation of the law for anyone to obtain from a child a recorded statement (for example a letter, affidavit, recording, etc.) of the child’s wishes and concerns regarding the allocation of parental rights.

Case Delinquencies

The Court follows the Ohio Supreme Court guidelines for timely disposition of cases. Please keep this in mind as your case progresses.