Northum. Cnty. Pa NCV-1920.31

As amended through April 1, 2021

Rule NCV-1920.31 - ALIMONY, ALIMONY PENDENTE LITE, COUNSEL FEES AND OR COSTS

A. Unless set forth in the Complaint or in another appropriate pleading, all claims for alimony pendente lite, interim counsel fees and/or costs, and final counsel fees and/or costs shall be set forth by petition filed with the Prothonotary, and shall be processed through the Office of the Court Administrator. Where a Complaint contains a claim of alimony, alimony pendent lite, interim counsel fees and/or costs, and final counsel fees and/or costs, a separate petition need not be filed, but scheduling will be accomplished by the Office of the Court Administrator upon the filing of a praecipe with the Prothonotary.

1. Where a claim for alimony pendente lite has been made, a conformed copy of the Complaint, other appropriate pleading, or petition, together with a fee for the Domestic Relations Office in the amount of Fifty Dollars $50.00, shall be delivered to to the Domestic Relations Office. The filing date shall be the effective date of any subsequent Order for alimony pendente lite.

2. Claims for alimony and final counsel fees and costs shall be referred by the Office of the Court Administrator to a Master unless otherwise directed by the Court.

3. Claims for interim counsel fees and costs shall be scheduled by the Office of the Court Administrator for hearing by the Court. The Complaint, other appropriate pleading, or petition shall be accomplished by a certification from counsel setting forth the services rendered or to be rendered, the hourly fee charged or to be charged for the same, and a listing of all costs and expenses for which reimbursement is sought.

B. No hearing shall be scheduled within the thirty (30) day period following the service of the Complaint or petition, this being the time period within which the parties are required pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1920.31(a)(1), to file the most recent federal income tax return, pay stubs for the preceding six months, and a completed income and expense statement in the form required in an action for support.

C. A party in whose favor an Order for alimony has been entered may, upon payment to the Domestic Relations Office of a registration fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), register the Order. Upon registration, the Order shall be enforced in the same manner as are all other support Orders.

Northum. Cnty. Pa NCV-1920.31