AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990
The Court of Common Pleas of Adams County is required by law to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact the Court Administrator's Office at 717-337-9846. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any proceeding.
The presiding judge’s chambers will schedule presentations at least ten days from the date the complaint, petition for modification, petition to intervene or petition for contempt was filed. This is to ensure that the moving party has ample time to serve the non-moving party with the order scheduling the presentation. It is the moving party’s responsibility to serve all documents upon the opposing party in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and file an appropriate certificate of service with the Prothonotary.
Formal Presentation to the Court Not Necessary. If the parties have a stipulated agreement for custody, then the parties may file the stipulated agreement and a proposed order of court with the Prothonotary. All stipulated agreements shall contain language requesting the presiding judge to enter the agreement as an order of court. If the judge enters the stipulated agreement as an order, then the parties do not need to appear for custody presentation. All proposed orders shall comply with the checklist and form contained in Sample Form “D” annexed to these rules. See also Adams C.Civ.R. No. 1915.7-1. Custody Agreement and Consent Orders.
Non-Record Proceeding. The custody conciliation conference is an opportunity for the parties to reach agreement early in the litigation process. To facilitate the conciliation process and to encourage frank, open and meaningful exchanges between the parties and their respective counsel, statements made by everyone involved in the conference shall not be admissible as evidence in the custody proceedings. The custody conciliator shall not be a witness in any custody proceedings. The custody conciliation conference shall not be recorded. No evidence or testimony shall be presented. One-half (1/2) hour shall be set aside for all custody conciliation conferences.
Scheduling of Custody Conciliation Conference. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement at presentation, the presiding judge will refer the case to the custody conciliator. Custody conciliation conferences shall be scheduled not more than forty-five (45) days from the date of assignment by the presiding judge.
Appointment and Authority of the Conciliator. The court, in its discretion, shall refer all actions for custody of minor children to a conciliator who shall have the authority to conciliate custody cases in an effort to resolve the matter.