Common Pleas Court

Domestic Relations & Juvenile Divisions

323 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870

Phone:  (419) 627-7782     Fax:  (419) 627-6600

• Welcome
  • Mission Statement
  • Maps/Directions
• About Us
  • Judge DeLamatre
  • The Magistrates
    • Mary Bower
    • Bruce Croteau
    • Gregory McGory
• Juvenile
  • Intake Dept
  • Detention Center
  • Probation Dept
  • Programs
    • Community Service/ Restitution
    • Diversion
    • Mediation
    • Thinking Errors
    • Home Detention
    • Reclaim Ohio
• Domestic
  • Domestic Violence
  • Custody

Custody, Mediation, Investigation

And Parent Education Programs

     Erie County continues to be in the forefront of Domestic Relations courts using alternative dispute resolution methods.  Our Mediation Program, which was adopted in 1989, has been assisting residents of Erie County to resolve disputes, negotiate fairly and make decisions with the best interests of the children in mind.  All contested divorce cases involving children and contested change of custody cases, including some contested visitation issues, are referred to the Mediation Program.

     Offering an in-house mediation program to our residents allows them the opportunity to negotiate a fair and amicable agreement rather than subjecting the family unit to the trauma of prolonged litigation.

     During 1993, the policy regarding mandatory home study investigations was modified.  Beginning in April, 1994, only those divorce cases with contested custody issues were required to participate in home study investigations.  Home study investigations continue to be mandatory in all juvenile change of custody filings and in some post-decree change of custody motions. 

     In 1995, a mandatory two hour parent education program entitled "Children and Divorce: A Seminar for Parents" was implemented for all divorce and dissolution filings involving minor children.  Through this program, parents gain information that promotes parental cooperation for the purpose of reducing child custody litigation.