Rule 1920.51 - Hearing By The Court. Appointment Of Master. Notice Of Hearing(a) Any divorce case may be referred to a master appointed by the Court. The order appointing the master shall specify the matters which are referred to the master.(b) If a party brings a motion to appoint a master, the motion and proposed order shall be in substantially the same form as that found on the Court's website at www.washingtoncourts.us, or in the Washington County Law Library. Proof of payment of the master fee shall accompany the motion and proposed order, unless the fee is waived by the Court. (i) The motion and proposed order shall be delivered to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division. The Court shall act upon the motion, and, if granted, the Court Administrator shall assign the master. The Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division shall then contact the moving party to pick up the motion and order and file same with the Prothonotary.(ii) The parties may jointly seek the appointment of a special master in appropriate cases by filing and presentation of a motion. The motion shall specify the payment terms of the special master, including the apportionment of the payment and the terms and conditions of the payment. The motion shall also address the provisions made by the parties for stenographic services and shall set forth the apportionment and terms and conditions of the payment for these services. The special master shall comply with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure and the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. The moving party shall provide a copy of the motion and order to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division.(c) A master in divorce shall give counsel of record or a party who is not represented by counsel at least ten (10) days' notice before conducting any conference or hearing.(d) At least ten (10) days prior to the first conference, both parties shall file a summary of assets and liabilities, a designation of the parties' incomes and support obligations and a proposal for a resolution of all issues.(e) The statutory grounds for the divorce shall be specifically set forth in the motion for appointment and shall be consistent with the pleadings in the action.(f) When the grounds for the divorce are based on Section 3301(c) of the Divorce Code, the movant shall have filed an Affidavit of Consent prior to or at the time of the presentation of the motion. (1) When the grounds for the divorce are based on Section 3301(d) of the Divorce Code, at least one of the parties shall have filed a 3301(d) affidavit and shall have filed proof of service of a section 3301(d) counter affidavit upon the other party.(2) Prior to the filing of a motion to appoint a master, the moving party shall file his or her inventory pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1920.33(a) & 1920.75.(g) A copy of any order granting a continuance of a proceeding before a master must be provided by the moving party to the Office of the Court Administrator - Civil Division. (1) A $50.00 fee shall be charged for continuances; provided, however, that the fee shall be $100.00 for a party who seeks and receives a continuance on the day of the proceeding before a master. The continuance fee shall be paid by the moving party to the Prothonotary upon the filing of the motion and order.(2) A motion for continuance shall be set forth in writing and contain the following information: (i) A clear, concise, and certain reason for the request;(ii) A statement that opposing counsel or the opposing party, if unrepresented, has no objection to the request for continuance, if applicable;(iii) A statement of the number of prior continuances, if any; and(iv) If another court appearance is the reason for the request, a copy of the notice or Order of the conflicting hearing shall be attached.Amended effective 1/1/2022