Chest. Cnty. Ct. Comm. Plea. R., form 18

As amended through February 1, 2024
Form 18 - Notice and Order to Appear

See CCRCP 1915.15A(a): req'd in Pa. R.C.P. 1915.3(a)

: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

Plaintiff

: CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

vs

: NO.

: CIVIL ACTION - LAW

Defendant

: IN CUSTODY

NOTICE AND ORDER TO APPEAR

You ______________________, defendant, have been sued in court to obtain/modify custody of the child(ren):

____________________________________________________________

You are hereby notified of the following:

1. Court Ordered Mediation: You are ordered to contact the Mediator assigned to your case within three (3) days of receiving these papers to schedule mediation orientation.

Mediator: _________________________________ Phone __________________________

Failure to contact the mediator and attend mediation orientation may result in sanctions, including, but not limited to, a fine of up to $100, delay in your custody proceedings or other appropriate sanction.

2. Custody Conciliation Conference: You are ordered to appear in person at the Chester County Justice Center, 5th Floor, Conciliation Room, 201 West Market Street, West Chester, PA for a Custody Conciliation Conference on __________________________________, 20____ at ___________, ___.m. at which time a recommendation for a custody Order may be entered.

If you fail to appear, an order for custody may be entered against you or the court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

3. Online Parenting Class:

All parties are required to attend by remote means the following:

Chester County, PA Parenting Class

Center for Divorce Education's Children In Between

All parties are directed to enroll online at Center for Divorce Education's website: online.divorce-education.com

Failure to attend may affect your rights to custody, partial custody or visitation.

4. You must file with the Court verification as required by Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.3-1 in the form attached regarding any criminal record or abuse history regarding you and anyone living in your household within thirty days of the service of the within complaint or petition on you, but not later than the custody conciliation conference scheduled in Paragraph 2, above.

No party may make any change in the residence of any child which significantly impairs the ability of the other party to exercise custodial rights without first complying with all the applicable provisions of 23 Pa.C.S. § 5337 and Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.17 regarding relocation.

YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW:

Lawyer Referral Service

15 West Gay Street

West Chester, PA 19380

610-429-1500

IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW:

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Chester County Division

222 North Walnut Street, 2nd Floor

West Chester, PA 19380

610-436-4510

AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990

The Court of Common Pleas of Chester 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 Family Court Administration at 610-3446405. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court. You must attend the scheduled conference.

BY THE COURT:

Date: _________________

__________________________________

J.

Chest. Cnty. Ct. Comm. Plea. R., form 18

Amended effective 6/13/2022.