Domestic Relations is a division of Circuit Court in which primarily divorces are filed. Divorces (especially when children are involved) are complex and we strongly recommend you consult with an attorney. By law, no one in the Clerk's Office can give you legal advice. There are many issues involved, some of which you may not be aware of. An attorney can advise of the laws and requirements regarding your children until they reach the age of majority. If divorce issues are covered completely and correctly in the beginning, it may preclude you from having to re-open your file for future proceedings which involves another filing fee, re-hiring an attorney and possibly going to trial. You can refer to your yellow pages and find attorneys who specialize in domestic relation matters. Our office does not have "fill in the blank" forms for many of the pleadings which are required to be filed.
Once your uncontested divorce is filed in our office, there is a 30 day waiting period before the Judge can sign your decree. This is if all your paperwork is in order. If your divorce is contested, it will be randomly assigned a judge and set for trial. For questions regarding your divorce, you will need to keep in contact with your attorney. All notices and trial settings will be mailed to your attorney as well as the divorce decree at the conclusion of your case.
Effective January 1, 1994, when any order of Child Support is entered, the Withholding Order payment of Child Support shall be served immediately, unless the parties have reached an alternative agreement and the judge approves such agreement.