Domestic Relations Court judges to host open house

“I feel like this was the first opportunity that anyone has listened to me/my children throughout the entire process.” — Lorain County citizen

Lorain County Domestic Relations Court judges Sherry L. Glass, Frank J. Janik and Lisa I. Swenski are hosting an open house for the court’s Help Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 3, on the second floor of the Lorain County Justice Center, 225 Court St. in downtown Elyria, according to a news release.

The goal and purpose of the Help Center is to increase access to justice for the citizens of Lorain County, the release said.

Over 600 individuals have visited the Help Center for assistance since March 6, according to the release.

The Help Center assists self-represented individuals seeking divorce, dissolution, legal separation, protection orders, custody, visitation, and/or child support issues.

However, the Help Center cannot provide legal advice, but it will offer access to standardized forms, answer general questions about the court’s processes and procedures, and connect litigants to other agencies when appropriate, according to the release.

Feedback from public surveys has been positive, as 99.6% of the individuals’ completing surveys indicated that they were satisfied with their experience at the Help Center, the release said.

“I feel like this was the first opportunity that anyone has listened to me/my children throughout the entire process,” a Lorain County citizen wrote on the survey according to the release.

“I’ve been looking for help for a year and a half. This can change my life and health,” another Lorain County citizen wrote.

The Help Center currently accepts walk-ins from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, according to the release.

The Help Center also partnered with Ohio Legal Help to develop a virtual Self-Help Center website for online assistance, the release said.

The open house is a good opportunity to learn more about the mission and continued efforts of the Help Center to assist and serve Lorain County citizens, the release said.

Light refreshments will be served.