Delaware County is home to over 500,000 residents across its many townships. Delaware County's branch of Family Law is headquartered in the county's own Court of Common Pleas. Located in Media, PA, the Family Court is just a part of the larger Delaware County Courthouse Complex. The court itself is led by a total of 24 judges, 4 of whom are senior judges. Matters of Family Law are handled in the Domestic Relations division of the Court of Common Pleas. This division is staffed by 135 employees, all there to help smooth along the already difficult and emotional process of a Family Law case. The courts are open Monday through Friday from the hours of 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, except on holidays.
Family Law In Delaware County
The division of domestic relations in Delaware County offers a wide variety of services to families making use of its services. The court offers individual case management for each case. Families are able to maintain contact with their own caseworker, who will remain their caseworker for the duration of the case, up until resolution. There is also a customer service department to help address any clerical needs for the case, and to help extend further communication between the court and the family. Services offered through the domestic relations division include:
- Locating non-custodial parents: Investigative services will work on locating absent parents.
- Establishing Paternity: Paternity tests are done by a state sponsored program that offers genetic testing at a meager cost to the individual.
- Establishing child and spousal support orders: The division will assist with the issuance of a court order to have one party provide support to the other, or the custodial party's child.
- Reviewing and adjusting support orders: If a support order needs adjustment or review of its terms, it will be handled at this division.
- Interstate enforcement of support orders: Delaware County works with other counties and other states to ensure that support orders are being followed by the absent party.
What To Expect In Court
When you apply for services rendered by the Domestic Relations division, you will be assigned a caseworker to handle your specific case. The caseworker will then work together with the court, your attorney, and the court's support services to move your case along. The court makes use of both judges and designated support masters to decide upon cases. Support masters are court-appointed decision-makers that can initiate court orders in lieu of a judge, so long as it pertains to a support agreement. If your case is for the enforcement of a support order, a case manager will work to attempt to settle it, however, if it cannot be settled, a judge will make a determination on the order.
If you or a loved one is currently engaged in matters of Family Law in Delaware County, contact attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
