COMMON PLEAS COURT

DIVORCE INVESTIGATOR

The Washington County Divorce Investigator's office is located on the third floor of the main courthouse, and the office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Generally, lunch hour is from noon to 1:00 p.m.

It is the law in Ohio that the Divorce investigator meet with all persons filing for divorce in Common Pleas Court that have children under the age of 14.

When a new divorce case is filed in the Clerk's Office, the Divorce Investigator determines if it is necessary for her to interview the parties. If she is required to meet with the parties, she will send them a letter notifying them of the date and time to come meet with her. Along with the letter notifying the parties of the appointment with her, the Investigator also includes a Character Reference page that must be completed and brought with them to the appointment.

After meeting with both parents, the Divorce Investigator files a written report in cases where custody is an issue, and her written report is filed in the Clerk's Office. Her written report is a report of the information gathered from the interviews conducted with both parents. The Investigator is not permitted to take the side of one parent over the other.

Although the Divorce Investigator serves an important function within the court, she is not able to help with such issues as giving legal advice, testifying for either party or recommending an attorney.