Civil filings increased during 2004. General civil plus small claims cases increased 2.9% from 2003 levels. Small claims cases decreased while domestic relations, probate, and other civil increased.
Domestic relations case filings increased 4.3%. Support proceedings make up 48.8% of all domestic relations case filings. Divorce filings account for 24.1%, protection/restraining orders 15.8%, custody filings 1.2%, adoption 3.1%, paternity 6.8%, and termination of parental rights account for .2% of the domestic caseload.Divorce filings were up 2% to 2,349 cases in 2004. Protection/restraining order filings increased 9.5% to 1,406. Paternity case filings were down 6% with 659 cases filed, while support proceedings increased 5.4% with 4,750 cases filed, compared to 4,506 cases in 2003.