Pennsylvania Code › Title 231 - RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE › Part I - GENERAL › Chapter 1915 - ACTIONS FOR CUSTODY OF MINOR CHILDREN › Rule 1915.11-1 - Parenting Coordination

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
If a judicial district implements a parenting coordination
				  program, the court shall maintain a roster of qualified individuals to serve as
				  parenting coordinators and establish the hourly rate at which parenting
				  coordinators shall be compensated. The parenting coordinator shall attempt to
				  resolve issues arising out of the custody order by facilitating an agreement
				  between the parties and, if unable to reach an agreement, recommend a
				  resolution to the court.
(a)
Appointment of a Parenting Coordinator.
(1) After a final custody order has been
				entered, a judge may appoint a parenting coordinator to resolve parenting
				issues in cases involving repeated or intractable conflict between the parties
				affecting implementation of the final custody order. A parenting coordinator
				should not be appointed in every case. The appointment may be made on the
				motion of a party or the court's motion.
(2) Unless the parties consent and
				appropriate safety measures are in place to protect the participants, including
				the parenting coordinator and other third parties, a parenting coordinator
				shall not be appointed if:
(i) the parties to
				the custody action have a protection from abuse order in effect;
(ii) the court makes a finding that a party
				has been the victim of domestic violence perpetrated by a party to the custody
				action, either during the pendency of the custody action or within 36 months
				preceding the filing of the custody action; or
(iii) the court makes a finding that a party
				to the custody action has been the victim of a personal injury crime, as
				defined in
				23 Pa.C.S. §
												3103,
				which was perpetrated by a party to the custody action.
(iv) If a party objects to the appointment of
				a parenting coordinator based on an allegation that the party has been the
				victim of domestic violence perpetrated by a party to the custody action, the
				court shall have a hearing on the issue and may consider abuse occurring beyond
				the 36 months provided in subdivision (a)(2)(ii).
(3) The appointment of a parenting
				coordinator shall be for a specified period, which shall not exceed 12 months.
				A party may petition the court for an extension of the appointment or the court
				in its discretion may extend the appointment for an additional
				period.
(4) If the parenting
				coordinator seeks to withdraw from service in a case, the parenting coordinator
				shall petition the court and provide a copy of the petition to the parties or
				the parties' attorneys.
(5) The
				parenting coordinator shall set forth in a separate written agreement with the
				parties:
(i) the amount of any
				retainer;
(ii) the hourly rate to
				be charged;
(iii) the process for
				invoices and payment for services;
(iv) information on the parenting
				coordination process; and
(v)
				provide a signed copy of the agreement to the parties before initiating any
				services.