Rule 1915.4-3 - Custody Conciliation Conference(a) Each party shall submit to the Westmoreland County Family Court Administrator (Custody Office) at the time of the conference a completed Westmoreland County Parent Information Form and proof of his or her most recent earnings. The Parent Information Form is available from the Westmoreland County Custody Office or on-line at www.co.westmoreland.pa.us .(b) The parties may file with the family court administrator (custody office), an Election to Proceed Through Mediation. The party filing the Election to Proceed Through Mediation must Certify that all parties agree to mediation. Upon receipt of the Election and Certification, the family court administrator shall continue the scheduled Conciliation Conference, and inform the mediator to schedule the Mediation.(c) The parties may also at any time file a Consent Custody Agreement with the family court administrator (custody office). Forms are available from the Westmoreland Pro Bono Office on the fourth floor of the Westmoreland County Courthouse Annex or on-line at www.co.westmoreland.pa.us.(d) If neither an Election to Proceed Through Mediation pursuant to subsection (b), nor a Custody Agreement pursuant to subsection (c) are filed with the family court administrator (custody office), the Conciliation Conference shall proceed as follows: (1) All parties, and any child, for whom custody or visitation is sought, shall be present at the Custody Conciliation Conference, unless otherwise ordered by the court. Failure of a party to appear at the Custody Conciliation Conference may result in the entry of a custody order by the Court on the recommendation of the custody conference officer in the absence of that party. The absent party may also be subject to contempt proceedings. (2) The custody conference officer, who is an attorney, shall conduct the non-record, informal Conciliation Conference actively engaging the parties in order to reach an agreement. The parties are given the opportunity to present the issues or problems and to explore all available options for resolution.(3) A Custody Agreement form is completed and signed when an agreement is reached.(4) If the parties cannot agree, the custody conference officer will forward a report and recommended Order to the court. A. The report shall contain the following: 1. An indication that the parties consent to an evaluation including requirements such as physical or mental evaluations or home studies be undertaken pursuant to Rule W1915.8;
2. Findings of fact on jurisdiction or venue issues; and3. Recommendations for custody.B. The order will include all areas of prior agreement.C. Except as provided in subsection D., the order shall become a final order unless a Request For Custody Pretrial Conference is filed within 30 days of the date of service of the order. A copy of the order shall be served in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 236, with a copy to the family court administrator (custody office). D. When the court orders an evaluation, the order will also direct that a Pretrial Conference be scheduled. The Request requirement of subsection C. does not apply when the Pretrial Conference is ordered. E. The Request For Custody Pretrial Conference is available at the family court administrator (custody office) on the fourth floor of the Westmoreland County Courthouse Annex or on-line at www.co.westmoreland.pa.us . Rescinded March 25, 2013; New Rule W1915.4-3 adopted March 25, 2013, effective 5/27/2013.