Effective June 1, 2020, if a judge of the Family Division refers a matter to a Divorce Hearing Officer for a conciliation or hearing, counsel/parties shall follow the procedures below:
1. A copy of the order of court referring the matter to the Divorce Hearing Officer, along with contact information (including email addresses) for all counsel and unrepresented parties, shall be mailed or dropped off at the following address:
Family Law Center
Attn: Docket Clerk
440 Ross Street, Room 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
2. If a check made payable to “Divorce Hearing Officer” for the entire fee accompanies the order of court, which is the preferred practice, the Docket Clerk will contact counsel/unrepresented party via telephone to schedule the date.
3. If a check made payable to “Divorce Hearing Officer” for a portion of the fee accompanies the order of court, the Docket Clerk will wait until the fee is paid in full to contact counsel/unrepresented party via email to schedule the date.
NOTE: Failure to pay the fee in the time allotted in the initial DHO referral order (or within 30 days from the date of the referral order, whichever is latest) will result in a return of any paid portion of the DHO fee and will require a new referral from the assigned Judge should the case need to be scheduled.
Upon full payment of the DHO fee, the case will be scheduled for the next available date on the assigned DHO’s calendar. However, efforts will be made to coordinate with counsel and parties to select a mutually agreeable date. Counsel and litigants are advised to act promptly when given available options, as open dates fill quickly.
Please call 412.350.0326 with any questions.