Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-23
Domestic Court Issues
Toledo Folk Like New Setup
For Solving Family Problems

CtllIU Custody anu money maIterS,
before final divorce.
4. In 95 cases, in which only
one spouse was counseled on the
marriage problem. no divorce
actions had been filed when the
cases were marked closed six
months later.
S. Half of the cases closed by
counselors were closed by dis
missal, indicating some form of
accord.
6. After divorce either one or
both spouses in Al families re-
turned for further counseling.
This total included 81 wives and
IS husbands.
Court Collects No Payments.
In the Toledo system, no pro-
vision is made for court collec-
ton of child support payments.
This money IS payable through
the Toledo Humane Society.
Alimony payments are made by
check through the Office of the
Common Pleas Court clerk.
Judge Alexander said Wash
ington divorce lawyers are mis-
taken if they think their prac-
tice will be adversely affected by
a family court.
II don't know of a single case
in Toledo" he said emphatically
where lawyer has lost a nickel
on account of the marriage
counseling we undertake"
This view was borne out by
comments of practicing attor-
neys. They said the court. in
fact. had helped assure collec-
ton of counsel fees.
Juvenile Side Criticized.
The Toledo Bar Association is
not completely sold on Judge
Alexander's Family Court Gen.
ter. although most of the men,
bers seem to approve the domes-
tic relations branch. It's the
juvenile side that comes in for
most criticism.
"a majority of our bar favor
the court" said Eugene Howard,
president of the association.
Still. some members are criti-
cal. In particular. there is OBJ
lection to the juvenile proce-
dures. I like the marriage coun-
selling service very much"
James NeSthroff. law partner
of former OPS Director Michael
v. Di Sale, was highly critical
OF the local practice of refusing
to grant bail for juvenile Offend
ers. He said this is a violation
Of legal rights achieved only be-
cause the court claims the minor
is detained in hospital clinic"
and not a Jail.
Mr.. Nesthroff said some Of
the court employees passing on
matters of major Importance
are lacking in experience. He
described the Toledo system as
undesirable because it is a social
lied court. He said lawyers can
and do help couples solve prob
lens. ~vs.-,.
Max BritZ, whose firm handles
about one-third of all divorce
cases filed in Toledo. described
the court as "a wonderful sys-
tenn in a lot of respects" and
a vast improvement over the
procedure formerly followed. He
said it saves time for lawyers
and the court. too.
George S. Bradley. chairman
OF the domestic relations COM
mittee of the bar. said the Fam
lily Court Center is generally
a very good system although
there are things that need to
be smoothed out. particularly in
the juvenile situation"
ION the domestic relations
SIDE" he added, they are very
enlightened and very progressive.
They are meeting the need"
Courts Judge UnoppOsed.
Joseph D. Stecher. who is sec
rotary of the American Bar As
ISOLATION. was high in praise of
the system. He said:
THE Family Court definitely is
better than the old system. Per-
sonally, I very much favor the
administration of the court. The
best test of its popularity in the
community has just been made.
Judge Alexander is up for re-
election this year to another six
year term. He is unopposed. and
the filing deadline has passed.
That shows what the people
think of his work and his court.
For awhile, there was criti-
cism that he had adopted a
socialistic, rather than a legalis-
tic,s approach. That is largely
overcome, now. except with ref
erence to the juvenile division.
Family court opposition with
in the bar is partially misguided
and partially due to fear of a few
selfish individuals who think
they'll lose some business. They
are mostly mistaken"
Merit: Ho,D the family court
plan works IN Detroit.