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Monday 8am - 4pm Tuesday 8am - 4pm Wednesday 8am - 4pm Thursday 8am - 4pm Friday 8am - 4pm

Summit County Domestic Relations Court

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Summit County Domestic Relations Court

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Welcome to the official page of the Summit County Domestic Relations Court. Administrative Judge Katarina Cook

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook
Judge Kani Hightower

Visit www.drcourt.org for court information, forms, and resources. The Summit County Domestic Relations Court serves residents of Summit County who have civil cases involving divorce, dissolution, or annulment. In cases where children are present, the court's involvement continues until all children born to both parties are no longer minors and do not regularly attend high school. This court also has jurisdiction over matters involving custody, visitation, and child support cases brought forward by parents or third parties. Cases involving juvenile court dependency, child neglect, or abuse are typically handled by the Juvenile Court. The Domestic Relations Court shares jurisdiction over domestic violence cases with the Municipal Court and the Common Pleas Court General Division, and issues dating violence and domestic violence civil protection orders.

10/08/2026

The Courthouse will be closed on Monday, October 12th, 2026 in observance of Columbus Day. The Court will return to Normal hours the next business day. For questions about Closures please contact the Court at
330-643-2365 | [email protected] | Or visit www.DRCourt.org

10/01/2026

Kids going through a family separation deserve clear, honest answers. 💙

The Summit County Domestic Relations Court's CAPE Program is teaming up with , and .uakron. Together we're producing trauma-informed videos for ages 5–8, 9–12 and 13–18.

This week, Administrative Judge Katarina Cook welcomed the UA students to the Court to talk through the creative design of the series.

The core message: it's not your fault, it's not your job to fix, and you don't have to choose.

More to come.

09/29/2026

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook and Magistrate Cynthia Curtin joined community leaders and partners today at Love Akron's 15th Annual Awards Event at the John S. Knight Center, along with family law attorney Roe Fox. Judge Cook volunteered as a greeter at the event and was excited to see Rev. Mark Ford, a founder of .

This year's theme, "Love in Progress: The State of Love Akron," invited an honest look at where our community stands and how we move forward together. The Summit County Domestic Relations Court is grateful for the partnerships across Greater Akron that support children and families.

09/24/2026

Fall is a season of change. If your family is changing too, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Talk with a volunteer attorney for free about divorce, custody, or child support.

Friday, Oct. 9 | Green Public Library 11-3
Pre-register: https://drcourt.org/wp/ojb-registration/
Know a parent who needs this? Share it.

09/22/2026

This past Friday Summit County Domestic Relations Court's Public Information Officer (Paul Henry) and Certified Child Life Specialist (Gracie Nielsen) joined South Street Ministries and our community partners for the Day of Change Resource Fair.

Thank you to for the invitation and to everyone who stopped by to learn about Administrative Judge Katarina Cooks Family Recovery Court and CAPE Program (Child And Parents Empowered). Great sun, great neighbors, great conversations. 🌞 Find out more here: https://drcourt.org/wp/programs/

09/21/2026

Did you hear Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro delivered her 2026 State of the County Address at the John S. Knight Center last week? Our Court had a full table! Attending on behalf of DR Court: Administrative Judge Katarina Cook, Judge Kani Hightower, Magistrates Lombardi, Hill, and Kinney, Court Administrator Tom McLaughlin, Family Court Services Director Randy Flick, Grant Writer Christine Lindeman, Chief Security Bailiff Steve Norman and Typist Amy Schwan.

Shapiro framed a year of economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and shifting state and federal policy as a call for the county to grow stronger together.

For Judge Katarina Cook, who has led the Domestic Relations Court through no shortage of change herself, that call for resilience felt familiar. "That message resonates here at the Court. Change tests a team, but it's also when we do our best work for the families who need us." stated Judge Katarina Cook.

Thank you to County Executive Shapiro and county leaders working every day to move Summit County forward. 🏛️

09/16/2026

Summit County Domestic Relations Court is pawsitively proud to welcome Gracie, a registered therapy dog, into our courthouse family. At the direction of our top dog, Administrative Judge Katarina Cook, children meeting with our Family Court Service Evaluators, Child Life Specialist, and Victim Advocates may now have a furry friend by their side — because sometimes the best support walks in on four legs.

Gracie’s handler is Ret. Judge Lynne S. Callahan, who also volunteers with Gracie through Doggie Brigade program.

During Gracie's first tour of the Courthouse, she had a joyful reunion with her old foster mom, Jessie, Supervisor of Court Programs Assistance Program of Summit County. Jessie fostered Gracie about five years ago, and this unplanned meeting had everyone's tail wagging.

Our Court makes every effort to ease the mental anguish of a child walking through these doors and research consistently shows that a trained, gentle dog can ease a child's anxiety and help them feel safe enough to open up during hard conversations. We're proud to have Gracie leading the pack.

09/10/2026

This week marks the close of the Children in Their Best Interest art exhibit at Summit County Domestic Relations Court, and we're overflowing with gratitude.

Thank you to our visitors, including Andrew and Iriel of Trailhead Community Health Foundation of Greater Akron and Rob of and to the judges, attorneys, and families who toured these walls and found pause in the art that spoke to them.

Thank you, ArtsForward (ArtsNow ), for supporting Judge Katarina Cook's vision, and Micah Kraus for weaving it together. To the teachers, mentors, and families who helped the 76 student-artists find their voice: Yay to art, and to the young voices it centered; we're quietly, humbly proud.

If you're like one of the community leaders above who sought originality and empowerment, we'd love to hear from you. We are always looking for partners. If you have an idea or want to get involved, reach out — we'd welcome the collaboration. Contact: Paul Henry, [email protected] | 330-643-7845.

09/04/2026

If you are in the neighborhood, it’s worth a look!

🎨 A part of the Children: In Their Best Interest Exhibit has been loaned to the .

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook and Curator Micah Kraus graciously agreed to lend 29 pieces from the Miller South School for Visual and Preforming Arts, the exhibit reminds visitors, as Administrative Judge Katarina Cook put it, " [why] keeping kids' voices, needs, and futures front and center matters" — in the courtroom and beyond. Stop by and see it for yourself. 🖼️

CITBI Art will remain up within the Courthouse till September 8th and the CITBI Art loaned to Twinsburg Public Library will remain till September 30th.

09/03/2026

The verdict is in! 🎉 We have gathered the feedback from Domestic Relations Court's first ever settlement week and couldn't be happier! 💕 It's been an incredible experience, and we're thrilled to share that the results exceeded our expectations in every way. From the number of cases resolved to the positive feedback from participants, it's clear that this initiative has made a real difference in the lives of those involved. We're grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to its success! 🙏

Address

205 S. High Street
Akron, OH

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4pm
Tuesday	8am - 4pm
Wednesday	8am - 4pm
Thursday	8am - 4pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13306432365

Website

http://www.drcourt.org/

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