Rule 52FD-1915.4-2 - Referral of Complaint And Proposed Order For Custody ConciliatorA. The Court shall appoint at least two (2) custody conciliators who shall hear all cases involving claims for custody. The custody conciliator list shall consist of at least two (2) members of the Bar of this Court experienced in family law who shall serve at the pleasure of the Court. B. Upon being filed with the Prothonotary, a complaint relating to child custody and/or visitation shall be accompanied by a proposed order for appointment of a Custody Conciliator and thereafter served upon the opposing party(ies). The Conciliator shall forthwith set the time, date and place for a Conciliation Conference.C. Deposits for fees and costs. (1) Upon filing a complaint with proposed Order for the Appointment of a Custody Conciliator, the moving party shall deposit with the Prothonotary a fixed sum to be set by Administrative Order. (a) Parties proceeding In Forma Pauperis are exempt from payment of this sum.(2) To assure prompt payment for the services of the Conciliator, an additional deposit may be ordered by the Conciliator to be deposited with the Prothonotary. This amount, if any, shall be determined by the Conciliator upon a review of the issues raised in the pleadings, the complexity of the issues, the anticipated length of the hearing and the time estimated to prepare the Summary Report. The Conciliator shall determine how the deposit shall be allocated between the parties and shall fix the deadline for payment. The order shall have the same force and effect as if imposed by the Court. Failure of a party to pay the designated amount by the date set by the Conciliator could be cause for finding that party in contempt of court or the imposition of such other sanctions as may be appropriate.D. Compensation of the Custody Conciliator shall be as established by Administrative Order.Leb. Cnty. Pa. 52FD-1915.4-2
Amended effective 1/1/2000.