Administrative Judge

Administrative Judge

Katarina Cook

Judge Katarina Cook is a proud resident of Akron and a product of the Akron Public Schools. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 1990 and was admitted to the Ohio Bar that same year. Read More…

Judge

Judge

Kani Harvey Hightower

Judge Kani Harvey Hightower was elected as a Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judge on November 8, 2022. She was an Akron Municipal Court magistrate from January 2020 through December 2022. She worked as a private trial attorney in numerous counties for over fourteen years in the areas of family, juvenile, criminal, civil, and probate law Read More…

ABOUT THE COURT

The Summit County Domestic Relations Court serves residents of Summit County, Ohio.  The court’s jurisdiction includes:

  • Cases involving divorce, dissolution, and annulment;
  • Parentage cases (never married parents), third-party legal custody, and visitation for parents, grandparents, and third-parties;
  • Child support;
  • Civil protection and dating violence orders.

Read more about the court.

Civil Protection Orders

What is a Domestic Violence Civil Protection Order (“CPO”)?

A CPO is issued by a domestic relations court to protect a victim of domestic violence. A CPO is intended to prevent further domestic violence. It orders someone who has been abusive to do or not do certain things in the future.

To find out more about CPOs, how to serve (notify) the respondent, and how to prepare click “Find Out More”

Contact Us

The Summit County Domestic Relations Court is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Summit County Domestic Relations Court
205 S. High Street
Akron, Ohio 44308

A guide to parking can be found here. Or a printable PDF Here.

 

Phone: (330) 643-2365

AI transcription program will aid Domestic Relations Court reporters in 2025, but attorneys will be banned from using AI tools to draft documents.

AI transcription program will aid Domestic Relations Court reporters in 2025, but attorneys will be banned from using AI tools to draft documents. Read the article here

Summit County Domestic Relations Division Receives Grant for AI Transcription Supporting Access to Justice.

Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division Receives $9,500 Technology Grant from the Ohio Supreme Court Summit County, OH – Monday, July 8, 2024– The Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division is excited to announce being...

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook recently amended her Trial Scheduling Order

Please be advised that Administrative Judge Katarina Cook recently amended her Trial Scheduling Order. The added sections are highlighted.  Parties and counsel are hereby notified that these amendments are effective as of April 9, 2024 on all pending pre-decree...

SUMMIT COUNTY  COURTHOUSE HAS A SAFE SPACE FOR KIDS DURING DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT HEARINGS

News 5 Cleveland featured an article about the Children's Drop-In Center at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court. The article can be located at this...

Family Recovery Court Program in the news

The Akron Beacon Journal featured and article about the Family Recovery Court Program at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court. The article can be read at this link:...