Family courts—also known as domestic relations courts—are usually trial courts with the authority to hear only matters relating to family or domestic matters—such as divorce, child custody, and child support—and modification of related orders—as well as dating and domestic violence matters. Courts dedicated to family or domestic relations matters are usually located in populous counties and are said to have exclusive jurisdiction of domestic relations matters within the county.
In Ohio, family courts, often referred to as domestic relations courts, are specialized trial courts that focus exclusively on issues pertaining to family or domestic matters. These courts handle cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, and the modification of existing orders related to these issues. Additionally, they address cases of dating and domestic violence. Family courts in Ohio typically operate within more populous counties and are granted exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations matters within their respective counties. This means that they are the only courts within those counties that can decide on these specific types of cases, ensuring that matters involving family law are dealt with by judges and court personnel who have specialized knowledge and experience in this area.