FAMILY COURTS
Family court judges hear cases involving divorce; annulment; separate maintenance; paternity; grandparent visitation; issues involving allocation of parental responsibility; and family support proceedings, except those incidental to child abuse and neglect proceedings. Family court judges also hold final hearings in domestic violence civil proceedings.
There are 48 family court judges who serve 27 family court circuits. Family court judges, who were previously appointed by the governor, were elected in partisan elections for the first time in 2002. Family court judges are required to reside in their circuit and must be admitted to practice law in West Virginia for at least five years before taking office. Like circuit court judges, their elections are non-partisan, their terms are for eight years and the Governor appoints a replacement. Some appointees may remain in office until the unexpired term ends while some must run for election to complete the full term, depending on how much time is left on the term at the time of appointment.
Links of Interest
- Map of West Virginia with links to county contact information
- 2025 Family Court Map
- Family Court Judge Bios
- 2023 Annual Report Statistics
- Family Court Parent Education
- Family Court GAL Training
- Guardian ad litem Information Form
- Family Court Guardian ad litem list
- West Virginia Family Court Judge Workload Study, Final Report 2022
- Family Court-Ordered Mediation in West Virginia
- Family Court Mediator List
- WV Benchbook for Domestic Violence Proceedings
- Domestic Violence Brochure
- Folleto de violencia domestica
- Continuation of Family Court Appellate Procedures
- Order Establishing Family Court Divisions effective January 1, 2009