A custody presentation is the first time the parties will appear before the court. The goal of the custody presentation is to ascertain the status quo schedule or affirm the agreement of the parties. If there is no agreement, the presiding judge may enter an interim order that will govern the parties until final disposition of the matter by agreement or a trial. No testimony will be adduced or evidence presented during this proceeding. If there is no agreement regarding a petition to intervene in a custody case, the presiding judge shall schedule the matter for a hearing to address that issue.
Custody presentations will be heard on a set day and time every week as designated on the official court calendar.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement at presentation, the presiding judge will issue an order with a date and time for the parties to participate in conciliation, similar to Sample Form "B" annexed to these rules.
(Sample Form "B" – Directive for Custody Conciliation Conference)
And now, upon consideration of the attached Complaint/ Petition for Modification/Petition for Intervention/or Petition for Contempt, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties and their respective counsel appear before a Custody Conciliation Officer in Conference Room 307 located on the third floor of the Adams County Courthouse, 117 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on _____, 20____ at _____.m.
At the conference, an effort will be made to conciliate and resolve the issues in dispute; or if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by the Court. Children should not attend the conference unless specifically requested by the Custody Conciliation Officer.