Case ID: ohio-law-abs_4/html/0586-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "KRAPP, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 728
    BEALS v. BEALS
    Common Pleas Clarke Co.
    No. 24493.
    March 16, 1926.
    681. JURISDICTION — In a divorce proceeding, where custody of minor child is concerned, a court may modify its order as to the child, at any time after term, because it has continuing jurisdiction until such child reaches majority.
    Attorneys — Charles E. Ballard for Mrs. Beals and Stafford and Arthur, for Mr. Beals, all of Springfield.
   KRAPP, J.

In the Clark Common Pleas an entry was filed ordering divorce, fixing alimony and awarding custody of a minor child. At the next term, the court, of its own motion, certified the case to the Juvenile Court under 8034-1 GC. Thereafter a motion was filed in Juvenile Court for modification of the order as to the child, which was dismissed on the ground that the court had no- jurisdiction except upon the filing of an original affidavit under 1642, 1647 and 1648 GC.

Two propositions of law are involved. First, was the certification by the Clarke Common Pleas after term within its jurisdiction; Second, may the Juvenile Court proceed with this case, upon motion.

The contentions are: 1. That the Clarke Common Pleas has no authority to certify such a case without application for such a motion; 2.That entry made after term is a nunc pro tunc entry and is void unless it complies with the ordinary rules governing such an entry. The Common Pleas held:

1. Upon hearing of a divorce and awarding custody of minor child, such child became the ward of the court and the jurisdiction or the court continues until majority.
2. The court having continuing jurisdiction might at any time modify its order or might proceed under 8034-1 GC. which authorizes the certification of the matter to the Juvenile Court.
3. This latter step having been taken, the child did not cease to be a ward of the court, the jurisdiction of the Common Pleas only having been terminated.
4. The child becoming a ward of the Juvenile Court, such court could proceed in any manner to modify with regards to the custody and support of said child, without motion of anv party in interest, if such change was justified by the circumstances.

Judgment accordingly.