What to Expect -Custody Conciliation Conference - Pennsylvania
The objective of the conciliation conference is to foster agreement between the parties in such a way that they are committed to a custody arrangement that will be entered as an Order of Court. The conciliator’s role in a conciliation conference is to aid the parties in reaching a custody agreement using the methods and techniques employed in mediation.
This conference is also informal. No record of the proceeding is maintained and no evidence or testimony is elicited from either parties or witnesses, therefore, it is not necessary to have an attorney present during the conciliation process; however, either party may have an attorney present.
The conciliation conference is scheduled for 1-1/2 hours in an effort to help resolve the issues and help you reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached, the custody conciliator will prepare a Recommended Order and forward it to the Court. You must follow this Order.
If you object to the Recommended Order, you must file a Request for an Adversarial Hearing within ten (10) days from the date your Order was mailed to you. The matter will then be scheduled for trial by the Family Court Judge. You will be notified of the trial date and also of the date for a pre-trial status conference that you must attend prior to the scheduled trial.
A copy of the request must be submitted to the Custody Office.
What to Bring
1. Your thoughts organized and written down regarding the type of schedule you want, holidays, transporation arrangements...etc. Basically anything you want spelled out and addressed in your custody order.
2. Any supporting documentation you may have to support your claims.
3. A recent picture of your child or children.
4. Pictures of your living arrangements (yard, playrooms, safety measures, child's room)
5. A good positive attitude. Don't get angry and start pointing fingers. This will make you look bad.
