Domestic Relations Court Lacks Jurisdiction To Adjudicate Contempt Claims Against Estate

Fletcher v. The Estate of Fletcher, 11th Dist. Case No. 2013-L-084, 2014-Ohio-5377. The appellant argued that the domestic relations court erred in its determination that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate her claims that the decedent’s estate was in contempt for failing to reimburse her for mortgage and utility expenses for the marital home. Because the claims did not arise until after the decedent’s death, the domestic relations court held that the real-estate expenses arising after death were within the probate court’s subject-matter jurisdiction. The appellant presented her claim to the executor of the decedent’s estate, but, after the executor denied the claim, the appellant filed a motion to show cause based upon the decree of divorce in domestic relations court. Because the domestic relations court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction, the appellate court held that the claim was forever barred and that the appellant’s assignment of error was without merit.