Rule 1915.3-3 - Custody Conciliation Conference(a) The conciliation before the custody conference officer shall not be more than forty-five (45) days from the date of assignment by the Court Administrator. The custody conference officer may reschedule the conference at the request of either party. The rescheduled date shall not be more than seventy-five (75) days from the date of assignment by the Court Administrator. If the conciliation conference is rescheduled, a new order shall be issued setting the time, date, and place for the conference and shall be docketed with the Prothonotary.(b) If the responding party intends to file counterclaims or crossclaims, they shall be filed prior to the conciliation conference, where possible.(c) If a question of jurisdiction or venue is raised prior to the conciliation conference, such objections shall be referred by the custody conference officer to the court for disposition. No other pleading need be filed to a claim for custody or visitation.(d) To facilitate the conciliation process and encourage frank, open and meaningful exchanges between the parties and their respective counsel, statements made by the parties, or their witnesses, shall not be admissible as evidence in court. The custody conference officer shall not be a witness for or against any party, neither shall the conciliator permit the recording in any way of the proceeding.(e) At the conclusion of the conference where the case remains contested the custody conference officer shall prepare a Conference Summary Report. This report shall contain facts gathered by the conciliator during the conference. This report shall be filed of record.(f) Within seven (7) days following a conciliation conference, the custody conference officer will submit their proposed order(s) to the Court: (1) SETTLED CASE: If the parties reach an agreement, the custody conference officer shall draft a proposed order in conformance with the agreement of the parties. The custody conference officer shall thereafter submit the proposed order to the Court Administrator who shall transmit the order to the assigned judge for disposition.(2) CONTESTED CASE: Should the parties fail to reach an agreement prior to the conclusion of the conciliation conference, the custody conference officer shall submit their Conference Summary Report and any proposed recommended order to the Court Administrator who shall transmit the order to the assigned judge, who shall thereafter review the proposed recommended order and direct the matter for hearing. The proposed recommended order may contain a requirement that the parties file a pretrial memorandum with the judge to whom the matter has been assigned.(3) GAL APPOINTMENT: If the parties agree to the appointment of a guardian ad litem (GAL) or the custody conference officer recommends appointment of a GAL, the custody conference officer shall include a proposed GAL appointment order with the Conference Summary Report. If either party requests that the county pay the GAL's fees, the conference officer shall colloquy the parties on their ability to pay and make a recommendation regarding payment of the GAL's fees.Amended effective 1/1/2024.