Custody Matters Scheduled Before a Hearing Officer
The Court may schedule a custody matter before a Hearing Officer for interim relief, conciliation, a partial custody hearing, or a contempt hearing. Your order identifies the proceeding and explains how to participate.
Scheduling
The Custody Department schedules the next required proceeding after intake, another court event, or upon judicial order. A separate scheduling praecipe is not required.
Preparing for the proceeding
Read the scheduling and pretrial orders. Submit required statements, proposed orders, exhibits, and other documents by the deadlines and methods stated in those orders. Do not assume that the requirements are the same as those for a prior or different proceeding.
Parties must attend as directed, even if represented by an attorney. Attorneys may participate in Hearing Officer proceedings.
A continuance request does not cancel a proceeding. Follow the applicable procedure and attend unless the Court changes the date.
Unless permission is given by court order or you are otherwise notified by the Court, all proceedings before a Hearing Officer take place in person at the Family Law Center.
Failure of the petitioner to appear as ordered before the Hearing Officer may result in dismissal of the custody action.
Agreements
If the parties reach an agreement before the scheduled proceeding, contact the Custody Department for instructions. Agreements may be processed by a Hearing Officer outside the scheduled proceeding or presented through the applicable motions procedure.
Follow the consent-order instructions and submit all required forms and supporting documents. Any required safety review still applies.
Reaching an agreement or submitting a proposed order does not cancel your court date. Attend as scheduled unless the Court confirms that the proceeding has been canceled or rescheduled.
After the proceeding
Read the report, recommendation, or order carefully for its effect and applicable review procedures. Different types of orders have different procedures.
See Filing Exceptions for the process applicable to a Hearing Officer’s report under Pa.R.C.P. 1915.4-2.
If another proceeding is required, the Custody Department schedules it as directed by the Court.