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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 24-1046

THE COURTS

Title 255—LOCAL COURT RULES

VENANGO COUNTY

Amendment of Local Domestic Relations Rule: Rule 1915.3A.—Custody Seminar; Civ. No. 695-2024

[54 Pa.B. 4315]
[Saturday, July 27, 2024]

Order

 And Now, this 16th day of July 2024, it is hereby Ordered that the Venango County Court of Common Pleas Local Domestic Relations Rule 1915.3A. Custody Seminar is Amended as set forth hereinafter, effective thirty (30) days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

 In conformity with Pa.R.J.A. 103, one (1) copy of this Order shall be distributed to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Two (2) paper copies and one electronic copy shall be distributed to the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This Order shall also be published on the Court's website and incorporated into the complete set of the Court's Local Rules within thirty (30) days after the publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This Order shall be continuously available for public inspection and copying in the office of the Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts.

By the Court

MATTHEW T. KIRTLAND, 
President Judge

Rule 1915.3A. Custody Seminar.

 (a) All parties to an action to obtain or modify a final order of court for any form of legal or physical custody must attend the court-approved seminar ''Venango County Co-Parenting Cooperative'' if they have not already done so. The moving party shall forward a seminar brochure to each party or that party's attorney at the time of service of the complaint or petition. Each party to a custody action shall only be required to attend the seminar one (1) time, unless otherwise ordered by the court. Those parties required to attend the seminar shall include any parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or third party to a custody action. Prior attendance at the court-sponsored seminar ''Helping Families Cope with Divorce and Custody'' shall not excuse attendance at this seminar.

 (b) Each party shall receive a certificate upon completion of his or her attendance at the seminar. The seminar facilitator shall file that certificate of record as evidence of the party's attendance and completion of the seminar.

 (c) Each party may attend the seminar with any opposing party in a custody action. No party shall be compelled to attend the seminar with an opposing party in cases where any party, or a child of any party, is or has been the subject of domestic violence or child abuse allegedly perpetrated by the opposing party at any time within the past twenty-four (24) months. In such cases, appropriate arrangements for separate sessions for the seminar shall be made by the facilitator.

 (d) All requests to waive attendance at the seminar will require an order of court upon appropriate motion. Waivers will be granted only in exigent circumstances.

 (e) All parties who are required to attend the seminar shall complete the seminar within ninety (90) days after the filing of a complaint or petition to obtain or modify a final order of court for any form of legal or physical custody.

 (f) All parties who are required to attend the seminar shall pay all fees required.

 (g) Under exigent circumstances, the court will consider waiver, reduction or assessment of fees to the other party for those unable to pay the fee to attend the seminar. Any such request must be presented to the court by appropriate motion, and must be accompanied by a verified affidavit of indigence or other proof of economic hardship in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. No. 240 and 1920.62.

 (h) Absent an order of court, no party shall be permitted to participate in the seminar until timely payment of the fee.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-1046. Filed for public inspection July 26, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]


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