Rule 1920.55-2 - MASTER'S REPORT NOTICE. EXCEPTIONS. FINAL DECREE(d) In all cases, whether contested or uncontested, the Master shall serve written notice upon counsel of record for the parties, or by first class mail to the last known address of any party not represented by an attorney of record, of the Master's intent to file his report with the Prothonotary on a date certain and that all exceptions to the report shall be filed within twenty (20) days from the date of filing of the Master's report. This notice shall be substantially in the form provided for in Sch.R.C.P. 1920.55(e) and shall have attached thereto a copy of the Master's report and the proposed decree.(e) Notice of filing Master's Report shall be substantially in the following form: (CAPTION)
NOTICE OF PROPOSED FILING OF MASTER'S REPORT AND THE TIME IN WHICH TO FILE EXCEPTIONS
Dear Counselor (or party pro se):
The report of the Master in the above entitled case will be filed in the office of the Prothonotary on ___________, 20___.
The Master recommends in his report, which is enclosed, that a final decree in divorce (or annulment) be entered on the grounds of ____________(or that the complaint be dismissed). (and that the related issues be disposed of according to the proposed "Order of Court" enclosed herewith).
You are hereby notified that written exceptions to the report of the Master must be filed with the Prothonotary within twenty (20) days from the date of filing of the report or a final decree may be entered by the Court without further notice.
____________________________
MASTER
(f) As a final item in the report, the Master shall certify that the notice, with proposed decree and report enclosed, required by this Rule have been served on the parties or their counsel at least four (4) business days prior to the filing of the report.(g) After the Master's report has been on file twenty (20) days in the office of the Prothonotary and no exceptions filed, the Prothonotary shall transmit the Master's report to the Court for review.(h) A party filing exceptions to the Master's Report shall contemporaneously file a praecipe for transmittal pursuant to Sch.R.C.P. 205.2(b) indicating that the matter can be disposed of on the record. The moving party shall, within twenty (20) days of filing the exceptions, file a brief in support of said exceptions. The answer and brief of any opposing party shall be filed within twenty (20) days after service of the brief of the moving party.(i) If both parties file exceptions to the Master's Report, the exceptions shall be consolidated for consideration by the Court without the necessity of filing a second praecipe. The briefing requirements of Sch.R.C.P. 1920.55(h) shall also apply to this section. For purposes of complying with the briefing schedule, each party shall be considered the moving party with respect to the exceptions filed by that party and the responding party to the exceptions filed by the opposing party.(j) In all cases where the related claims include one or more issues from alimony, alimony pendente lite, and child support, it shall be the responsibility of the recipient to notify the Domestic Relations Section of such Order.Amended effective 3/1/2021; revised 2/23/2022; amended effective 2/1/2024.