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Departments

The Domestic Relations Court is organized into departments responsible for accomplishing the Court's mission in an effective, systematic manner.
 

Court Administration

Court Administration oversees all operations of the Court under the direction of the Administrative Judge. These include program development, contracts, payroll, budget management, purchasing, inventory control, finances, court security, human resources and information technology.

Court Administration is located on the first floor in Room 135.
216-443-8820

James S. Zak, Administrator of Court Operations / IT Administrator
216-443-8821

Serpil Ergun, Administrator of Judicial Operations / Chief Magistrate
216-443-4939


Assignment & Scheduling

Assignment and Scheduling processes all Domestic Relations Court filings. Staff schedule hearings, prepare dockets, monitor disposition of pleadings and motions, process entries, and maintain Court files until they are returned to the custody of the Clerk of Courts. The department also answers incoming telephone calls and walk-in inquiries. 

Assignment and Scheduling is located on the first floor in Room 187-B. 

Kenneth C. Robinson, Assignment Commissioner
216-443-8860


Enforcement Services and Information Center

Enforcement Services assists in the enforcement of court orders relating to child support, spousal support and health insurance. The department processes all requests from the Cuyahoga Job and Family Services-Office of Child Support Services (CJFS-OCSS) for modification, lump sum, termination and enforcement of support, coordinates genetic testing, and functions as liaison to the CJFS-OCSS. The department also monitors compliance with court orders to perform community service, initiates and tracks the issuance of arrest warrants through sentencing and release, and interfaces with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff.

Enforcement Services is located on the first floor in room 187. 

The Information Center provides basic information about court procedures and supplies court forms to unrepresented parties and attorneys. The department reviews and approves journal entries before court appearances to ensure they are sufficient in form with all necessary documents attached. The Information Center includes workspace for attorneys for preparing court forms and calculating child support on computers provided by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.

The Information Center is located on the third floor in room 306.

Vincent B. Dudley, Esq., Director
216-443-3178


Domestic Violence Department

The staff of the Domestic Violence Department consists of court personnel and advocates from the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center (DVCAC). The court staff assists litigants through the procedural process when trying to obtain a Domestic Violence Ex Parte Civil Protection Order. The advocates can provide emotional support throughout the process in addition to providing community and safety resources to Petitioners.

The Domestic Violence Department is found on the ground floor in Room 48. 

Monica Christofferson, Manager
216-443-2095


Law Department

The Law Department provides research support for the Court and maintains a law library for the Court's use. It tracks new legislation and rules, and appellate decisions; helps implement new law; and drafts journal entries and legal memoranda. Staff attorneys review requests for restraining orders and selected journal entries prior to submission to the Judge.

The Law Department is comprised of staff attorneys and a paralegal.

The Law Department is located on the ground floor in Room 50.

Mark B. Felber, Director
216-443-8290


Family Evaluation Services

Licensed mental health professionals conduct family evaluations ordered by the Court. The evaluation is to assist the Court in making parenting orders in the best interest of the children. An evaluation may include psychological testing and alcohol/drug assessment.


Frank R. Ezzo, Ph.D., ABPP, Director
216-443-8805


Court Reporting

The Court Reporting staff acts as the Court’s official reporter of proceedings. Court reporters create a verbatim record of hearings and trials. The official reporter prepares transcriptions of hearings and trials for objections and appeals and retain exhibits used in Court.

The Court Reporting Department is located on the ground floor in Room 73.

Kenneth C. Robinson, Assignment Commissioner
216-443-8860

Terri J. Moroney, Chief Court Reporter
216-443-8852