Rule 1915.3*. Seminar for Separated and Divorced Parents (a) In an action custody, partial custody or visitation, if a case is not resolved by the custody conciliator and must therefore proceed to a hearing before a Judge, both parents shall attend an approved education seminar on the general responsibilities of separated and divorced parents. (b) Seminars shall be conducted by seminar providers as approved by the President Judge. Seminars shall be conducted in the Montgomery County Courthouse or at such other location as approved by the President Judge. Each parent will be responsible to register for a seminar and for payment of the seminar costs; however, the costs may be waived by the Court for any party qualifying to proceed in forma pauperis. (c) Seminar attendance may also be required upon motion of either party, by agreement of the parties, upon recommendation by the Custody Conciliator or upon the Court’s own motion, in connection with any petition to modify custody, any petition for contempt of a custody order or any other matter relating to child custody or visitation. (d) A Certificate of Attendance shall be filed by the seminar provider with the Prothonotary’s Office reflecting that attendance was fulfilled by the parent. (e) For good cause shown, the Court may waive the requirement of seminar attendance in a particular case. (f) Upon a party’s failure to attend a required seminar, the Court may impose sanctions, including but not limited to a finding of contempt. A hearing on a custody petition shall not be delayed by a party’s refusal or delay in completing the seminar.
Rule 1915.3*. Seminar for Separated and Divorced
Parents
(a) In an action custody, partial custody or visitation, if a case is not
resolved by the custody conciliator and must therefore proceed to a
hearing before a Judge, both parents shall attend an approved education
seminar on the general responsibilities of separated and divorced
parents.
(b) Seminars shall be conducted by seminar providers as approved by
the President Judge. Seminars shall be conducted in the Montgomery
County Courthouse or at such other location as approved by the
President Judge. Each parent will be responsible to register for a
seminar and for payment of the seminar costs; however, the costs
may be waived by the Court for any party qualifying to proceed in
forma pauperis.
(c) Seminar attendance may also be required upon motion of either
party, by agreement of the parties, upon recommendation by the
Custody Conciliator or upon the Court’s own motion, in connection
with any petition to modify custody, any petition for contempt of a
custody order or any other matter relating to child custody or visitation.
(d) A Certificate of Attendance shall be filed by the seminar provider
with the Prothonotary’s Office reflecting that attendance was fulfilled
by the parent.
(e) For good cause shown, the Court may waive the requirement of
seminar attendance in a particular case.
(f) Upon a party’s failure to attend a required seminar, the Court may
impose sanctions, including but not limited to a finding of contempt.
A hearing on a custody petition shall not be delayed by a party’s refusal
or delay in completing the seminar.
