Self-represented / pro se litigants who choose to access the Court on their own behalf without an attorney and wish to submit a motion to the Court must do so through the Pro Se Motion Scheduling Department.
Self-represented / pro se litigants can seek assistance regarding family legal matters through the Legal Services Clinic that is staffed by Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and University of Pittsburgh School of Law. The staff there may be able to provide limited legal services for free if you qualify. For more information Click Here
Filing a Motion for Self-Represented Litigants
What is a motion?
A motion is a written request where a party is asking the Judge to decide outside of the normal Court process.
Who can file a motion?
Typically, either party may file a motion regarding their case. You must have a currently active case.
How do I file a motion?
Between the hours of 8:00am – 12:00pm, you may bring your self-prepared and completed motion to the Information Desk, 1st Floor Family Law Center to schedule it for argument and receive further instructions on how to properly file.
You can obtain information on the following Department’s motions process and hours of operations at the below links:
- Support: click here
- Divorce: click here
- PFAs: click here
- Custody: Self prepared Motions.
Further Information About Motions Court
The Court will typically hear motions from self-represented litigants at 9:00am or 1:00pm. This time is dependent on when your assigned Judge is scheduled. The Court starts Motions Court promptly at the scheduled time. You will appear in motions court to present your motion; the Judge may ask you and the other party questions. Failure to appear at the time scheduled may result in the Motion being denied or granted without a party being present. In the event both parties fail to timely attend, the Court may refuse to hear a motion until it is presented at a future Motions Court date. Self-represented litigants are expected to follow all rules of court and shall comply with the Court’s Standard Operating Procedures. Self-represented litigants MUST fill out an Entry of Appearance as Self-Represented Party I-16 and file it with their motion in order to represent themselves in Motions Court.
Formatting of a Pro Se Motion
Your paperwork should include the following:
• Cover sheet
• Self-Prepared Motion
• Proposed Order of Court
• Certificate of Compliance
• Any relevant court orders and/or relevant exhibits
• Entry of Appearance as Self-Represented Party I-16
• Criminal Abuse History Verification I-12 (required for custody filings)
PLEASE NOTE: Your Motion is going directly to the Judge. It is suggested that your motion be typed. If handwritten, the motion must be legible.
Additionally, you are required to comply with the Public Access Policy. Confidential Information must be redacted from the original document by the filing party and included on a separate statewide Confidential Information Form (attached to this packet). The redacted, original document and a Confidential Information Form must be filed together. A Confidential Document Form shall accompany a filing where a confidential document is required by law, ordered by the court, or is otherwise necessary to affect the outlook of a matter. This form shall be accessible to the public, however, the documents attached shall not be publicly accessible, except as ordered by the court. Further information can be found at https://www.alleghenycourts.us/general-information/public-access-policy/
Emergency Motions
In instances of a clear, present, imminent threat to the safety of a child, or where a ruling cannot wait until the next available motions court date, motions may be presented to the Court as an “emergency”. Litigants should consult their assigned Judge’s standard operating procedures for more information about filing an emergency motion. Litigants are strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel and avail themselves of all other options to address any emergent issues, including contacting law enforcement, contacting the Office of Children, Youth, and Families, or seeking a PFA order. Because the respondent may not have a chance to contest this motion due to the expedited nature of an emergency request request, the Court is unlikely to grant relief absent compelling and special circumstances.
Emergency motions must be scheduled no later than 11am to ensure timely processing. The motion and all required forms must be self-prepared and complete to be accepted for scheduling prior to 11am. Additionally, litigants must be prepared to provide immediate notice to the respondent that an emergency motions was filed, which is typically done via email or other electronic messaging. A motion may not be accepted as an “emergency” if the respondent cannot be noticed timely.