Overview
Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court employs 31 Magistrates. The Magistrates assist the Judges in handling divorce and dissolution of marriage caseloads as well as the juvenile caseloads.
Seven Domestic Relations Magistrates hear pre-decree and post-decree motions, issue temporary orders and decisions on various motions, hold oral and/or affidavit-only hearings for matters such as temporary orders, vacating the marital residence, allocation of parental rights, modifications of support, visitation, and parental rights. They also process procedural motions and related matters arising out of divorce and dissolution proceedings such as civil contempt actions to enforce the orders of the Court.
In addition, eight Juvenile Custody Magistrates are assigned to hear custody, parental rights, and parenting time cases, support and related issues in cases originating in the Juvenile Branch of the Court.
Twelve Juvenile Court Magistrates conduct hearings on delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases. Juvenile Magistrates also conduct hearings on motions for permanent custody, and custody visitation and support cases.
Three CSEA Magistrates hear Child Support Enforcement cases such as parentage, support and custody, and Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) actions.
The Court employes one Ex-Parte Civil Protection Order Magistrate.