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Prehearing Conferences

Policies for Custody Prehearing Conferences

In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of managing custody cases requiring an evidentiary hearing with a Judge the following policies are being implemented consistent with Blair County Local Rule 1915. 21:

  1. The Petitioning Party must file their prehearing narrative 10 days prior to the scheduled prehearing conference. Failure to do so will result in the Prehearing Conference being continued by the Custody Office. The Prehearing Conference will be rescheduled upon the filing of the prehearing narrative however, if no prehearing narrative is filed after 30 days from the date of the initial Conference, the Request for Evidentiary Hearing will be dismissed by the Court.
     
  2. The Responding Party must file their prehearing narrative 10 days prior to the scheduled prehearing conference. Failure to do so will result in the Court limiting that party’s witnesses and testimony and such other sanctions, as the Court deems appropriate.
     
  3. All prehearing narratives shall be in substantially the same format as provided herein. Prehearing narratives and/or forms that are found to be insufficient by the Court will be returned with the requirement that the parties resubmit an amended prehearing and/or form.

The time invested by each party prior to the prehearing conference will increase the benefits of these proceedings to ALL those involved.

Prehearing Packet

Contact

BLAIR COUNTY CUSTODY OFFICE

Blair County Courthouse
423 Allegheny Street Ste 327
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

Telephone: (814) 693-3205

Childrens First: (814) 693-3292

Walk-in Office Hours:
8:30AM - 11:30AM and 1:15PM - 3:45PM

Overview of Blair County Custody Litigation Process

This document outlines the procedures for custody litigation in Blair County, Pennsylvania, specifically regarding prehearing conferences and the required narrative format. It is issued by the Court Administrator’s Office – Custody Division located at 423 Allegheny Street Suite 327, Hollidaysburg, PA.

Filing a Request for Evidentiary Hearing

  • Timeline: A party must file a "Request for Evidentiary Hearing" form within ten (10) days from the date of service of a Custody Order.
  • Location: Forms are filed with the Blair County Prothonotary Office.
  • Cost: There is no filing fee required.
  • Service: The request form must be served on the other counsel or party, identifying specific issues for consideration.
  • Next Steps: The Prothonotary Office forwards the request to the Court Administrator (Custody Division) to assign a date for a prehearing conference before a Hearing Officer.

Prehearing Narrative Requirements

Ten (10) days prior to the scheduled prehearing, parties must file an original prehearing narrative with the Prothonotary and submit a copy to the Court Administrator. This narrative must include:

  • Names and addresses of all witnesses, including experts.
  • A summary of each witness’s anticipated testimony.
  • Copies of all exhibits.
  • Anticipated length of trial.
  • Proposed custody arrangement for both parties.
  • Requested stipulation of facts.

Note: Failure to file the prehearing narrative may result in fines or sanctions by the Court.

Prehearing Conference Details

  • Conductor: The conference is conducted by the Blair County Prehearing Officer.
  • Purpose: To prepare for trial before a Blair County Judge.
  • Focus Areas: Identification of contested issues, witnesses to testify, exchange of medical reports, names of expert witnesses, exhibits, and requests for child interviews.
  • Outcome: A time and date for the Evidentiary Hearing will be set, and requirements for filing briefs will be discussed. A summary is forwarded to a Judge in preparation for trial.

Proposed Parenting Arrangement Guidelines

Parties are required to prepare a parenting arrangement that encompasses time with both parents. The arrangements should be drafted from the perspective that each party would consider either side of the proposal reasonable if they were in the other party's position.

Standard Custody Order Provisions

The document lists standard clauses often found in custody orders, including:

  • Communication: Parties must keep each other informed of current addresses and telephone numbers.
  • Information Sharing: Each party must keep the other informed of the child’s health, school progress, and general welfare.
  • Access to Records: Each parent is entitled to receive information directly from schools and healthcare providers.
  • Conduct: Neither party may present a negative or hostile view of the other to the child, nor allow third parties to do so.
  • Encouragement: Each parent must encourage the child to comply with the custody arrangement and foster a positive view of the other parent.
  • Flexibility: Parties may mutually agree to different time arrangements, but if they cannot agree, the terms of the custody agreement apply.
  • Holidays: Holiday schedules supersede other time arrangements unless mutually agreed otherwise.
  • Violations: Violation of the order may result in civil and criminal penalties, including prosecution under Section 2904 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Interference with Custody of Children).
  • Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction remains with the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County unless changed under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act.
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