RULE 9.8                Status Conference

The purpose of a status conference is to determine areas in dispute, establish child support in accordance with the child support guidelines and begin discovery with the exchange of certain information.

1. In order to accurately establish child support, the parties shall bring with them to the status conference the following documents:

1. copies of the last three year income tax returns;

2. the last five pay stubs;

3. a year to date statement of income if not included on the pay stub;

4. a breakdown from the employer of overtime or bonuses for the last three years;

5. costs of health insurance to cover the minor children (difference between single coverage and family coverage);

6. proof of child support actually paid for children not in this case;

7. proof of spousal support actually being paid; and

8. documentary proof of current income from all sources

2. The parties shall bring the following information in a divorce or legal separation action:

1. Copies of all deeds to real estate and a copy of the auditor’s tax appraisal;

2. Copies of all titles to motor vehicles and copies of the NADA or Kelly Blue book value of each vehicle;

3. All pension and profit-sharing plans including the most recent plan summary;

4. Copies of the most recent statements on all bank accounts, IRA’s, stock accounts, mortgages, credit card accounts and other debts;

5. Copies of all life insurance policies and valuation;

6. Documentation of property claimed as separate; and

7. Documentation of antiques, collectibles or collections.

3. Copies of documents listed in paragraphs one and two above shall be exchanged between the parties or their counsel at the status conference

4. If any party desires an independent appraisal of real estate, they shall notify opposing counsel and the court, in writing, no later than thirty (30) days after the status conference. Otherwise, the value or property as listed on the tax duplicate of the Columbiana County Auditor’s Office where the property is located shall be the value accepted by the Court.

5. The parties shall execute any and all releases necessary to value pensions while at the status conference and shall exchange those releases that day.

6. The parties may enter into stipulations to retain joint appraisers, the costs of appraisals and whether the parties will be bound by the evaluations established by the appraisers.