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Rules of General Court Business
Rules of Civil Procedure

-Contents
-L76  Definitions
-L205.2  Filing Legal Papers

-L206.4(c)  Rule to Show Cause
-L208.2  Motions. Form. Content
-L208.3  Motions. Procedures. Brief
-L212  Pre-trials and Trial Scheduling

-L216 Continuances
-L220 Jury Size in Civil Trials
-L227.3 Transcript of Testimony
-L230.2  Termination of Inactive Cases
-L250.1 Americans with Disabilities Notice
-L261 Court Administrator
-L300  Dockets
-L400.1(b)  Service of original process
-L411  Action for Support
-L430  Service by Publication
-L440  Use of Prothonotary's Office Mail Box
-L501  Meeting Place
-L502  Substitution After Appointment
-L503  Organization
-L504  Notice of Appointment
-L601  Security for Costs of Non-residents
-L602  Bill of Costs
-L702  Satisfaction of Judgment
-L901  Money Paid into Court
-L902  Appeal as Supersedeas
-L1007  Commencement. Case Scheduling

-L1012  Appearance. Withdrawals
-L1018.1 Notice to Defend
-L1025  Designation of Trial Attorney
-L1028(c)  Preliminary Objections
-L1034(a)  Judgment on the Pleadings
-L1035.2(a)  Motion for Summary Judgment
-L1049  Itemized Statements
-L1066  Entry of Judgment. Advertisement
-L1301  Cases for Submission
-L1302  List of Arbitrators
-L1302.1 Selection of Arbitrators
-L1303  Scheduling of Hearings
-L1304  Arbitrator’s Questions
-L1304.1 Continuances
-L1306  Awards
-L1308  Compensation for Arbitrators
-L1311  Appeals
-L1315  Settlements
-L1910.10   Hearing Procedure
-L1910.12   Exceptions Procedure
-L1910.14   Defendant Leaving Jurisdiction
-L1910.15   Paternity
-L1910.22   Attachment of Wages
-L1915.3  Custody Petitions and Procedure
-L1915.3-1  Initial Conference
-L1915.3-2  Exceptions to Interim Orders
-L1915.3-3  Recommended Orders/Approval
-L1915.7  Settlement
-L1915.8   Examinations and Home Studies
-L1915.10-1  Pre-Trial Conference
-L1915.10-2  Continuances
-L1915.12   Required Certification
-L1915.13-1  Emergency Custody Relief
-L1915.13-2  Emergency Relief. Moving
-L1920.13  Interim Relief.  Family Court
-L1920.16  Bifurcation
-L1920.21  Bill of Particulars. Non pros
-L1920.31  Joinder of Economic Claims
-L1920.32  Joinder of Custody Claims
-L1920.33  Joinder of Property Claims
-L1920.42  Divorce Affidavit and Decree
-L1920.43  Special Relief
-L1920.45  Counseling
-L1920.51  Hearing by Court. Master
-L1920.53  Hearing By Master. Report
-L1920.55  Exception Procedure
-L1920.71  Form of Notice to Defend
-L1930.5  Discovery
-L2039  Minor's Compromise, Settlement
-L2232  Notice of Pendency of Action
-L4005  Interrogatory Limits

Orphans' Court Rules
Rules of Criminal Procedure
Standards for Courtroom Decorum
Title Search Customs
Working Rules for Professionalism
Assessment Appeal Rules

Rules Home PageRules of Civil ProcedureContents

DIVORCE OR ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE

L1920.51. Hearing by the Court. Appointment of Master.

A. All claims for relief on the merits, other than disputed claims as to custody or paternity shall initially be heard by a family court hearing officer or master. Any request for hearing before the court on matters other than custody and paternity shall be made by motion and will be granted by the court only upon cause shown.

B. Prior to a hearing on claims for equitable distribution, alimony or final counsel fees, costs and expenses, a pre-trial conference between counsel for the parties and the appointed master shall take place to narrow the claims to be determined, review compliance with discovery or disclosure, and to discuss settlement alternatives. The master may enter orders subject to court approval, pursuant to stipulation of the parties or in aid of the anticipated hearing.

C. A decree under Domestic Relations Code Sections 3301(a) and 3301(b) will not be entered unless the appropriate administrative fee has been paid to the prothonotary or the court has granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis.

D. The recommendation for disposition made by the master or hearing officer shall include a determination of the amount of master's fees or stenographic costs and a recommendation as to their allocation.