Judge Jennifer Upchurch Edwards

The court must review a protective-order petition immediately after it is filed.

Petitioners must not be sent away or left waiting for extended periods.

Petitions should be reviewed within an hour of presentation to a judge or trial commissioner, unless none is available.

Applies to

Protective order petition

A DVO or ex parte EPO petition submitted under this rule must be verified.

Applies to

Protective order petition

The person administering the oath must sign the petition and include their office position as witness and verification of the oath.

Applies to

Divorce petition

A Divorce Petition must be accompanied by a Vital Statistics Information Sheet signed by the attorney before the clerk may file it.

Fee

200

If a case is reopened, additional fees totaling no more than $200 may be assessed.

Fee

$50

Applies to

Postjudgment motion filed more than six months following entry of the final decree

All postjudgment motions in domestic relations cases filed more than six months following the entry of the final decree should be accompanied by a Fifty Dollar ($50.00) filing fee to be paid to the Clerk of the respective Circuit

Fee

40

Applies to

Motion

Motions filed in the Domestic Relations Division must include a non-refundable $40 fee payable to the Commissioner who hears the motion, or to the Commissioner’s docket if the motion is not heard.

Petitioners seeking to initiate contempt proceedings should contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the existing protective order was entered.

Before filing a motion to be heard by the Domestic Relations Commissioner, moving counsel must contact the Commissioner to schedule the hearing and provide its anticipated length.

If a matter is resolved before the hearing, the Domestic Relations Commissioner must be notified promptly.