(A) All actions concerning the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for a child shall be initiated by sworn complaint, or in preexisting cases by motion, and pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3127.23, shall be accompanied by a Child Custody Affidavit provided by the Court, or in a format consistent therewith. At any time after filing, the Court may order the parties to mediation.
(B) Pursuant to Rule 32(D) of the Ohio Rules of Juvenile Procedure, the Court may order an investigation following the filing of a complaint requesting the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities or a writ of habeas corpus, or the filing of a motion to modify the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. Costs of the investigation will be taxed as costs to the case and are the sole responsibility of the parties. The report of the investigation shall be confidential, but shall be made available to the parties or their counsel upon written request not less than three days before hearing: the party’s attorney or an unrepresented party shall be permitted to read the report and make handwritten notations on separate paper, however, the report shall not be copied whatsoever, except by Court personnel, or be removed from the Courthouse. Any copies of the report provided by the Court for the purpose of inspection shall be collected and destroyed at the conclusion of the inspection process.
(C) The Judge or Magistrate may permit motions for temporary orders to be submitted and determined without oral hearing, upon affidavits filed in support or opposition.
(D) Any individual seeking custody of a child will be required to sign a waiver for a criminal background check and the central registry of abuse, neglect and dependency. Any costs associated with the aforementioned checks shall be the responsibility of the individual requesting a custody order.
(E) The party initiating the action shall submit the filing fee at the time of filing. If the party is indigent and unable to pay the fee, the clerk may accept the filing if accompanied by an affidavit of indigence.
