View Search Results

Maintains records of all cases from the Geauga County Juvenile Court. All filings of juvenile complaints, support cases, paternity establishment cases, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases are sent here. Makes available certified and non-certified copies of court documents for adults and youth who have or have had a case at juvenile court. Juvenile records are not open to the public and are only available to youth, their parents, guardians and attorneys. Motions on juvenile cases may be filed here by the defendant, but best to seek assistance of an attorney. Child custody/visitation/support petitions are filed here.

The General Division of the Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction to decide domestic relations cases involving divorce, and is the divorce petition filing office.

Accepts and files petitions related to probate of estates, wills or trusts, or guardianship/conservatorship issues.

Provides motion filing for expungement of records with the Clerk of Courts office.

Court process that allows any and all reference to a prior criminal conviction cleared and court file sealed.

Holds exclusive jurisdiction of bringing marriages to an end. Granted by divorce, dissolution, or annulment. The control of the Court continues until all the children born to the parties have reached age 18 and no longer regularly attend high school. In addition, the Court has the power to enforce all its orders, even years after the end of the marriage.

Accepts bankruptcy filings. Prohibited by law from offering assistance or legal advice. Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding to allow those who cannot pay their bills to start over financially; stops creditors from seeking to collect debts, at least until debts are sorted out according to law.

Handles all filings and hearings for the admission of wills, the administration of estates, applications for and administration of guardianships and conservatorships, adult protective services actions, administration of mental illness and mental retardation cases, adoptions, name changes, minor settlement cases and wrongful death cases, and issues marriage licenses.

Presides over adoption hearings and grants adoptions. Processes different types of adoptions including agency, independent (child related to person wanting to adopt), and interstate. Performs home studies for independent adoptions. Processes petitions for foreign adoptions and release of identifying information, vital statistics, and medical information regarding adoptions. Does not provide legal advice.

Accepts filings of initial actions as well as pleading in pending and post decree actions for all Civil, Domestic Relations, and 11th District Court of Appeals cases. Accepts all filing fees and posting of bonds in civil and divorce actions. Actions filed here include, but may not be limited to, civil actions, divorce complaints, annulment complaints, dissolution petitions, legal separations, child custody, child support, foreclosure complaints, quiet title, partition, appeals, motion to vacate and post decree motions. Criminal filings come to this office mainly through the Prosecutor's Office; individuals generally contact the Police Dept. when wanting to file criminal charges. Agency does not provide legal advice or forms for filing. Provides forms that enable eligible individuals to file a poverty affidavit which allows filers to file cases or documents without a deposit, but filer may be responsible for costs at the conclusion of their case. Poverty affidavits only apply to one case at a time.

Processes civil protection orders for domestic violence and stalking. Provides all forms and documents for filing. After the order is filed a hearing is scheduled. Then the judge will decide if a civil protection order or domestic violence protection order should be granted.

Accepts filings for sealing criminal records (also called an expungement). An expungement allows a criminal case to be removed (record is sealed) from the records of persons who have committed or been convicted of committing a crime, who have been found not guilty, or whose case has been dismissed. Generally, records can be sealed for first-time offenders only - certain crimes such as murder and rape cannot be sealed. Does not give legal advice or provide forms.

Assists the public in understanding and filing Civil Protection Orders (CPO). Advocates explain the general process of filing a protection order in Seneca County and answer questions the petitioner may have concerning the process.

The CSEA provides legally enforceable orders specifying the financial obligations of parents. The agency establishes child support orders, sets support motions, makes administrative support decisions and registers foreign orders.

Accepts initial filings, pleadings, and appeals for all Civil, Domestic Relations, and 3rd District Court of Appeals cases. Actions filed here include, but may not be limited to, civil actions, divorce complaints, annulment complaints, dissolution petitions, legal separations, child custody, child support, foreclosure complaints, quiet title, and appeals. Individuals generally contact the Police Dept. when wanting to file criminal charges. Agency does not provide legal advice or forms for filing.

Accepts filings for sealing criminal records (also called an expungement). An expungement allows a criminal case to be removed (record is sealed) from the records of persons who have committed or been convicted of committing a crime, who have been found not guilty, or whose case has been dismissed. Generally, records can be sealed for first-time offenders only - certain crimes such as murder and rape cannot be sealed. Does not give legal advice or provide forms.

Collects support, establishes paternity, and enforces court orders.

Investigates and approves all adoptions in Lorain County whether through private placement or a licensed adoption agency. Requires a home study to ensure the suitability of the prospective adoptive home. Maintains confidential adoption files. Allows adoptees or adoptive parents may some access to information with a proper court record release.

Accepts filings of initial actions, pleading in pending, and post decree actions in all civil, divorce, and 8th District Court of Appeals cases and filing fees and posting of bonds in civil and divorce actions. Actions filed here include, but may not be limited to, civil actions, divorce complaints, annulment complaints, dissolution petitions, legal separations, foreclosure complaints, quiet title, partition, appeals, motion to vacate, and post decree motions. Provides forms that enable eligible individuals to file a poverty affidavit that may reduce or eliminate fees in civil cases. Poverty affidavits only apply to one case at a time. Criminal filings come to this office mainly through the Prosecutor's Office; individuals generally contact the Police Dept. when wanting to file criminal charges. Makes available an electronic docket providing some information about civil and divorce proceedings including a schedule of hearings.

Grants adoptions and presides over adoption hearings. Processes adoptions including agency adoptions, independent adoptions and interstate adoptions. Processes petitions for foreign adoptions and release of identifying information, vital statistics, and medical information regarding adoptions. Does not assist in filing and does not give legal advice.

Accepts filings of initial actions as well as pleading in pending and post decree actions for all Civil, Domestic Relations, and District Court of Appeals cases. Accepts all filing fees and posting of bonds in civil and divorce actions. Actions filed here include, but may not be limited to, civil actions, divorce complaints, annulment complaints, dissolution petitions, legal separations, child custody, child support, foreclosure complaints, quiet title, partition, appeals, motion to vacate and post decree motions, state tax liens and judgment liens. Criminal filings come to this office mainly through the Prosecutor's Office. Agency does not provide legal advice or forms for filing. Provides forms that enable eligible individuals to file a poverty affidavit which allows filers to file cases or documents without a deposit, but filer may be responsible for costs at the conclusion of their case. Poverty affidavits only apply to one case at a time. Also processes U.S. passport applications.

This office handles the filing of temporary restraining orders.

Handles foreclosure, partition, and quiet title cases. Foreclosure is an attempt by the holder of the mortgage or lien to have the property sold to satisfy the mortgage or lien. Partition involves two or more persons owning property together who cannot agree on how to sell the property. Quiet Title is when a party claims an interest in property which is allegedly invalid and negatively impacts the title of the property such as encroachments by fences or buildings. Answers general procedural questions, but does not give legal advice.