Circuit Court
Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction and can hear all types of cases unless the General Assembly has given exclusive jurisdiction of particular kinds of cases to another court to handle, such as District Court.
Circuit Court hears civil matters involving more than $5,000, capital offenses and felonies, divorces, adoptions, termination of parental rights, real property title disputes and contested probate matters. Circuit Court has the power to issue injunctions and writs of mandamus and prohibition to compel or prohibit acts, and to hear appeals from District Court and administrative agencies. Circuit judges serve eight-year terms.
Family Court
Family Court is a division of Circuit Court. In counties that have a Family Court, the court has primary jurisdiction in cases involving families and children. Family Court hears cases involving dissolution of marriage; spousal support and equitable distribution; child support and visitation; paternity; adoption; domestic violence; dependency, neglect and abuse; termination of parental rights; and runaways and truancy. Appeals from Family Court are made to the Court of Appeals. Family Court judges serve eight-year terms.