June 21, 2010
Supreme Court Adopts Uniform Domestic Relations Forms
The Supreme Court of Ohio has adopted new uniform domestic relations forms, which will enable judges, parents and families, and attorneys to be literally on the same page in divorce and dissolution proceedings. The forms become effective July 1. Justices concurred 7-0 in adopting the forms.
The forms were developed by a subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Children, Families, and the Courts, composed of five domestic relations judges, a magistrate, and five family law attorneys. There currently are no standard forms for Ohio domestic relations courts.
Columbus attorney Heather G. Sowald, subcommittee co-chair, said 88 counties with 88 different sets of court forms in divorce and dissolution cases were confusing to attorneys practicing in multiple counties and Ohioans representing themselves in court. “Consistency was a key driver in the effort to develop standard forms,” she said.
Licking County Domestic Relations Court Judge Craig R. Baldwin, who serves as the other subcommittee co-chair, said accessibility was also an objective of the new forms. He noted that the forms will be available on the Supreme Court’s Web site.
Judge Baldwin also pointed out that the forms provide the courts with information such as income and expenses, assets and debts, and health insurance coverage, which domestic relations judges often need to make equitable rulings. All domestic relations courts in Ohio would accept the forms, as well as their own local forms, Judge Baldwin said.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.