Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleadings

Civil pleadings must designate the attorney who will try the case as the trial attorney.

In civil cases the attorney who is to try the case shall be designated as trial attorney on all pleadings filed therein.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written statement

At a criminal arraignment, the trial attorney must be identified in writing by that attorney or the attorney’s designee.

At the time of arraignment in criminal cases, the attorney who is to try the case shall be stated, in writing, by such attorney, or his designee.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Status report

Before the status-call day, each party must give the court a written case-status report covering the specified topics.

Before such day each party shall advise the court, in writing, of the status of the case, including the following: a. A brief description of the claims and/or defenses of each party and the dollar amount in controversy. b. The status of discovery requests by each party, and a proposed schedule to complete discovery. c. Written and proposed stipulations of the parties. d. A list of expert witnesses and a proposed schedule for obtaining experts and submitting reports thereof. e. Any proposed amendments to the pleadings, including the addition or deletion of parties, and/or claims and defenses. f. An estimate of total days required for trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Paper filing

Must include

caption

Paper filings must include the listed caption, filer, attorney, party, and contact information, with the stated exceptions for self-represented litigants.

All paper filings must include: a. Case caption and document title (e.g. motion for ____________); b. Attorney’s signature or unique identifying mark; c. Attorney’s typed or printed name (or party’s own name for self- represented litigant); d. Attorney’s registration number (unless self-represented litigant); e. Firm name (unless self-represented litigant); f. Identity of the party represented (e.g. Attorney for Plaintiff John Doe); g. The filer’s address; h. The filer’s telephone number; i. The filer’s facsimile number; and j. The filer’s e-mail address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint or case initiating document

Must include

caption

A complaint or other case-initiating document must begin with a caption stating the parties’ addresses and the general nature of the action.

Begin with a caption, stating the parties’ addresses and the general nature of the action (e.g. Complaint for _______);

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint or case initiating document

A complaint or other case-initiating document must include the appropriate case designation form identifying the case type.

Be accompanied by the appropriate case designation form, identifying the case type, available on the Geauga County Clerk of Courts website: Civil/General Case Designation Form Domestic Case Designation Form

CRITICAL

Applies to

Subsequent filing

Subsequent filings must include all necessary documents not previously filed with the Court.

Include all necessary documents which have not been previously filed with the Court;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery service or response

Parties serving or responding to discovery must file a notice of service with the Court.

Parties serving or responding to discovery must file a notice of service with the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Motions generally are decided without oral hearings and must include a supporting memorandum.

In general, motions are ruled on without oral hearings and must include: a. A supporting memorandum;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Motions must cite legal authority unless none is available.

Citations to legal authority, unless none is available;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Motions must include a proposed judgment entry; omission may result in the motion being stricken or dismissed without a hearing.

A proposed judgment entry [failure to include a proposed judgment entry with a motion may result in the motion being stricken or dismissed without a hearing].

CRITICAL

Applies to

Opposition

Oppositions must include a supporting memorandum.

Oppositions must include: a. A supporting memorandum;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Judgment entry

When directed by the Court, the designated party or counsel must prepare a judgment entry within 10 days, submit it to appearing counsel and unrepresented parties, and mail or deliver the original to the Judge or Magistrate; the Court may extend the time.

When so ordered or directed by the Court, such party or his counsel shall within ten (10) days thereafter, unless the time be extended by the Court, prepare a proper judgment entry and submit the same to counsel for any party who has appeared in the action and to any unrepresented party to the action. The original shall be mailed or delivered to the Judge or Magistrate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed judgment entry

For matters involving child or spousal support, a second copy of the proposed entry and order must be provided for forwarding to the Child Support Enforcement Division.

With respect to any matter involving a child and/or spousal support, a second copy of the proposed entry and order shall be provided for forwarding to the Child Support Enforcement Division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Child support or spousal support order

Child-support and installment-spousal-support entries must direct payment through CSPC, separately state payment amounts and due dates, specify the monthly schedule unless otherwise provided, and include specified information for both parties, subject to the stated direct-payment exception for spousal support.

All judgment entries or orders providing for the payment of child support or installment spousal support, temporary or permanent, must order payment through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC) and must set forth separately the amounts and due dates of such payments regardless of whether such data is included in a separation agreement. Such order shall be monthly and begin the first day of the month following the hearing, unless otherwise specified. All judgment entries providing for payment of child support or spousal support shall also include the following information as to both Obligor and Obligee: current residence and mailing addresses, birthdates, employers and their addresses, pay rates and pay periods, provided, however, direct payment of spousal support may be ordered consistent with the provisions of R.C. § 3121.441.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Divorce pleadings and exhibits

Divorce pleadings and exhibits must omit Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers.

Divorce pleadings and exhibits shall not contain the Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers or account numbers for financial accounts.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Family law sensitive information sheet

Each party must complete a Family Law Sensitive Information Sheet and submit it to the Court and the Child Support Enforcement Division.

Each party shall complete a Family Law Sensitive Information Sheet to be submitted to the Court and to Child Support Enforcement Division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte motion

An ex parte request must be made by written motion accompanied by an affidavit specifying the grounds and facts supporting irreparable harm.

All ex parte requests shall be by written motion with supporting affidavit stating with specificity the grounds and facts supporting the allegation of irreparable harm.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte order

An ex parte order requiring a party to vacate marital premises must include the specified removal language.

All ex parte orders for vacation of marital premises by one of the parties shall recite: “Should ‘J. Doe’ fail to immediately obey this order to vacate, the officer serving it shall forthwith remove ‘J. Doe’ from the premises.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Preliminary and final judicial reports

For residential property of four or fewer units, parties seeking foreclosure, partition, or quiet title must file preliminary and final judicial reports showing the amount of the treasurer’s lien.

Parties seeking to foreclose, partition, or quiet title to residential property of four or fewer units must file preliminary and final judicial reports. The amount of the treasurer’s lien shall be shown on the judicial reports.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Foreclosure action

For residential real estate with more than four single-family units or commercial real estate, parties seeking foreclosure, partition, or quiet title must file preliminary and final judicial reports or an owner's fee policy of title commitment.

Parties seeking to foreclose, partition, or quiet title residential real estate consisting of more than four single-family units or commercial real estate, must file either preliminary and final judicial reports or a commitment for an owner's fee policy of title.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Entry of appearance

All counsel entries of appearance must be in writing.

A. Entry of Appearance. All entries of appearance of counsel in any action shall be in writing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Entry of appearance

In criminal cases, counsel must enter an appearance on a court-adopted form or by letter to the Court.

In criminal cases, entry of appearance shall be on a court adopted form or by letter to the Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 9, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for leave to withdraw

A motion for leave to withdraw must be made seasonably before trial or hearing and contain the specified grounds, successor-counsel information, client advisement and file-delivery certification, and one of the listed client-consent, service, or inability-to-locate alternatives.

Counsel who have entered an appearance shall remain as counsel of record until the case is concluded or counsel is granted leave to withdraw by the Court. Counsel may seek leave to withdraw by written motion made seasonably before trial or hearing. Motion for leave to withdraw as counsel shall contain: 1. Grounds on which leave to withdraw is being sought; 2. The name of the successor counsel, if available; G.C.R. - PG. 32 ===== PAGE 36 ===== 3. Counsel’s certification that the client has been advised of the dates of all scheduled matters and the arrangements have been made for delivery of the client’s file to the client or successor counsel; and 4. The client’s written consent to counsel’s withdrawal OR counsel’s certification that that client has been served with a copy of the motion by certified mail and that the client has been advised of the right to object to counsel’s withdrawal within 14 days of service of the motion by filing a statement of objections with the Court, OR counsel’s certification that after reasonable effort he/she is unable to locate the client.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arbitration referral entry

The arbitration referral entry must state that the hearing will be held and concluded within 90 days of referral unless the Court approves a continuance beyond that period.

The Entry referring a case to Arbitration shall include the following: 1. Case referred to Arbitration. Arbitration hearing shall be held and concluded within ninety (90) days from the date of referral UNLESS THE COURT APPROVES A REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE BEYOND SUCH NINETY (90) DAY PERIOD.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Non party expert report

A party may not call a non-party expert unless it has procured the expert’s written report and provided it to opposing counsel.

A party may not call a non-party expert witness to testify unless a written report has been procured from the witness and provided to opposing counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Non party expert report

A non-party expert’s report must address every issue on which the expert will testify, and testimony or opinions on unreported issues are not permitted.

The report of a non-party expert must reflect his opinion as to each issue on which the expert will testify. A non-party expert will not be permitted to testify or provide opinions on issues not raised in his report.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Non party expert report

If counsel cannot obtain a non-party expert’s written report, counsel must show a good-faith effort and provide the Court and opposing counsel specified identifying, qualification, and testimony information.

If a party is unable to obtain a written report from a non-party expert, counsel for the party must demonstrate that a good faith effort was made to obtain the report and must advise the Court and opposing counsel of the name and address of the expert, the subject of the expert's expertise together with his qualifications and a detailed summary of his testimony.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

An order for reproducing hospital records must require a cover letter describing the reproduced portions and omissions and the usual and reasonable charges, and must designate the recipients.

The order shall direct the hospital to describe by cover letter 'the portion or portions of the records reproduced and any omissions and specify the usual and reasonable charges. The order shall designate the person or persons to whom such reproductions shall be delivered or made available.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit

The affidavit must state that summons cannot be served because the defendant’s residence is unknown to the affiant and detail the efforts made on the party’s behalf.

The affidavit shall aver that service of summons cannot be made because the residence of the defendant is unknown to the affiant, shall detail all of the efforts made on behalf of the party to

CRITICAL

Applies to

Confidential mediation case summary

Attorneys must submit the Confidential Mediation Case Summary to the mediator at least seven days before the first session, must not file it with the court, and must include the listed information.

At least seven (7) days prior to the first scheduled mediation session, attorneys shall submit a Confidential Mediation Case Summary to the mediator, only. Do not file the Confidential Mediation Case Summary with the court. The Mediation Case Summary shall contain the following: 1. Summary of material facts; 2. Summary of legal issues; 3. Status of discovery; 4. Listing of special damages; and 5. Settlement attempts to date, including demands and offers.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for certificate of qualification for employment

A CQE petitioner must file Form A with the Clerk and provide the DRC electronic petition number and receipt if submitted electronically, or attach a written DRC-prescribed petition if not submitted electronically.

In order to request a CQE, the Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment (RC 2953.25) [Form A] shall be filed with the Clerk of Courts by the Petitioner. The Petitioner shall provide the DRC Electronic Petition Number and attach a printed receipt of electronic Petition if submitted through the DRC. If not submitted electronically through the DRC, a written Petition must be completed on the form prescribed by the DRC and attached to the pleading.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for certificate of qualification for employment

A CQE petition submitted through the DRC must include electronic access to the DRC CQE Summary.

All Petitions submitted through the DRC shall include electronic access to the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections CQE Summary (CQE Summary).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Clerk notice of decision and judgment entry

The Clerk must notify the Petitioner in writing of the decision and judgment entry, and a denial notice must state any conditions on subsequent filings and that a final appealable order has been filed.

M. The Clerk shall provide a written notice to the Petitioner of the Court’s Decision and Judgment Entry. If denied, the notice shall include conditions, if any, placed on subsequent filings and language that a final appealable order has been filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Electronically filed document

Electronically filed documents are deemed signed by the submitter, and attorney signatures must include the listed identifying and contact information, except that self-represented litigants need not provide an attorney registration number.

Every electronically filed pleading, motion, order, judgment or document is deemed signed by the judge, clerk, attorney, party, or person who submitted it. Signatures shall be in this format: ● Typed attorney name. ● Attorney registration number (unless self-represented litigant). ● Firm name. ● Identity of the party represented. ● Address. ● Telephone number. ● Phone. ● Facsimile number. ● E-mail address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document bearing multiple signatures

Before filing a document with multiple signatures, the filer must confirm that the other signers agree.

A document bearing more than one signature requires the filer to confirm agreement of the other signers before filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Electronically filed document

Must include

certificate of service

An electronically filed document must include a certificate of service for all parties entitled to service, stating how each was served and containing the specified certification language.

(b) CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE. A certificate of service on all parties entitled to service is still required when a party files a document electronically. The certificate must state the manner in which service was accomplished on each party so entitled. The certificate of service shall contain the following language: I hereby certify that I served the documents by process server, regular U.S. mail, commercial carrier, or electronic means (whichever is applicable) to the following (list of parties served).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Every motion must include a proposed order, decision, or judgment entry in Microsoft Word format.

All motions must be accompanied by a proposed order, decision, or judgment entry submitted as a Microsoft Word document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial filing

Initial filings must be accompanied by instructions for service as provided in state and local rules.

“Initial filings” are complaints and other documents used to initiate a case. Initial filings must be accompanied by instructions for service as provided in state and local rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Instructions for service

Instructions for service must designate the names and addresses of those to be served, and each process-server service request must include a current copy of the server’s appointment order.

“Instructions for Service” separately filed instructions for service designating the names and addresses of the parties or persons to be served by the clerk. Each request for service by a process server must be accompanied by a current copy of the order appointing the individual process server.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Mediation case summary

Attorneys must submit a Mediation Case Summary to the mediator before mediation, containing the specified case and settlement information.

Attorneys shall submit a “Mediation Case Summary” to the mediator prior to mediation. The Mediation Case Summary shall contain the following: a) summary of material facts; b) summary of legal issues; c) status of discovery; d) listing of special damages; and e) settlement attempts to-date, including demands and offers.

WARNING

Applies to

Jury service notice and questionnaire

The jury-service notice and questionnaire must be mailed together and written so that a person unfamiliar with the legal and jury systems can readily understand them.

The notice by the trial judge summoning a person to jury service and the questionnaire eliciting essential information regarding that person shall be: a. Combined in a single mailing; b. Phrased so as to be readily understood by an individual unfamiliar with the legal and jury systems; and

WARNING

Applies to

Jury questionnaire

The jury questionnaire must facilitate quick and accurate screening and request only information essential to determining eligibility, providing basic voir dire background, and efficiently managing the jury system.

The jury questionnaire shall be phrased and organized so as to facilitate quick and accurate screening and shall request only that information essential for: a. Determining whether a person meets the criteria for eligibility; b. Providing a basic background information ordinarily sought during voir dire examination; and c. Efficiently managing the jury system.

INFO

Applies to

Entry of appearance

In civil cases, counsel may enter an appearance by signing a pleading, motion, or letter to the Court.

In civil cases, entry of appearance may be accomplished by signature of counsel on a pleading, motion, or letter to the Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Complaint or case initiating document ?

Be accompanied by service instructions;

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Subsequent filing ?

Must include

caption

Include a caption naming the first parties and the assigned Judge;

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Subsequent filing ?

Name the Magistrate if one has been assigned;

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Subsequent filing ?

Show service or contain service instructions;

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion ?

Where necessary, citations to the record (cited depositions must be filed and include an index. Relevant testimony must be identified by page and line);

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Motion ?

Where necessary, previously unfiled affidavits or other supporting evidence;

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.CRITICAL?

All parties or counsel so served shall have eight (8) days from the date of mailing in which to approve or reject the judgment entry. In the event of rejection, the objecting party or counsel shall file with the Court, at the time of said rejection, a written statement of the objections to the judgment entry. Failure of the parties or counsel so served, to approve or reject any submitted judgment entry as provided above will constitute a waiver of all objections. Any party or counsel who does submit objections in a timely manner shall also submit a draft of the judgment entry or order which he/she proposes as a substitute. All counsel may approve the original proposed judgment entry in lieu of the foregoing procedure.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Notice of intent to relocate ?

The Notice shall specify the time and place of relocation.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Applies to

Electronically filed document ?

Must include

certificate of service

Must include a certificate of service.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Applies to

Jury summons or notice ?

A summons or notice shall clearly explain how and when the recipient must respond and the consequences of a failure to respond.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Applies to

Document bearing required original signature ?

The filing party shall keep the original document until the case is closed and the time for appeal has expired or the appeals have been heard or denied and all opportunities for post judgment relief have been exhausted.