Domestic Relations Court

Department Head
Honorable Judge Beth A. Smith

 
"It is my hope that through the extensive information available on this website, you will gain greater access to your Court and an increased understanding of the way the Court operates."
- Judge Beth A. Smith

Domestic Relations Court Website - www.mahoningdrcourt.org

About Judge Beth A. Smith

Judge Beth A. Smith was first elected Judge of the Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court in November of 1996. She was re-elected to the bench in November 2002 and again in  November 2008 without opposition. In November of 1988, Judge Smith became the first woman elected as a Judge in the history of Mahoning County when she was elected as a Judge of the Mahoning County Area Court, initially assigned to Sebring. Judge Smith graduated from South Range High School in 1974 and she obtained her B.A. Degree from The Ohio State University in 1978. She obtained her Law Degree from Ohio Northern University in 1983. The protection of children from the stresses of divorce and the enforcement of child support remain Judge Smith's top priorities.

Mission Statement:

“The Mission of the Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court continues to be to serve the people of Mahoning County by minimizing the time, costs and stress of resolving Family Law Disputes with an emphasis on protecting the children of divorced parents from potential harm inherent in the divorce process and ensuring their support.”

What We Do:

Under O.R.C. 3105, the Domestic Relations Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and grant divorces, legal separations, annulments and dissolutions of marriage, and to grant broad equitable relief arising out of such actions in the form of spousal support and divisions of property.  Under O.R.C. 3111.06, the Court also has original jurisdiction to determine the parentage of a child the issue of whose paternity arises during the course of a domestic relations case.  Under O.R.C. 3109 and 3119, the Court's jurisdictional authority is extended to making allocations of parental rights and responsibilities that are in the best interests of children, and ordering child support and medical expense coverages for said children.  O.R.C. 3109.052 specifically extends the Court's authority to ordering the mediation of differences as to the allocation or parental rights and responsibilities.  Then Court is further vested with authority to enforce its orders.  Under O.R.C. 3113.31, the Court is further vested with authority to issue and enforce Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders.  Under O.R.C. 3117, the Court is empowered to order conciliation of marital controversies.

Revenue Source:

The Domestic Relations Court is fully funded by the General Fund.