Rule 4019.1*.             Family Discovery Master

In order to facilitate the prompt disposition of discovery in domestic

relations matters, the Court adopts the Family Discovery Master Program

as follows:

(1)      The Board of Judges appoints the Masters in Equitable Distribution

and the Support Conference Officers to serve as Family Discovery

Masters.

(2)      All motions respecting discovery in domestic relations matters

shall be filed with the Prothonotary. The moving party shall include

a cover sheet and a proposed order. The cover sheet must state

that counsel have conferred in a good faith effort to resolve the

discovery dispute.

(3)      The motions shall then be presented to the Family Discovery

Master for a rule returnable and argument date. A certificate of

service of the motion and rule returnable and argument date shall

be filed in the Prothonotary’s office by the moving party on or before

the return date.

(4)      The rule returnable and argument date shall be at 1:00 p.m. on

the first Wednesday following the 30th day subsequent to the filing

of the petition in a hearing room located at 321 Swede Street,

Norristown, PA.

(5)      If the motion is resolved amicably prior to the return day, the

motion shall either be withdrawn or a stipulated order shall be

submitted to the Family Discovery Master for submission to the signing

Judge. If the motion is not resolved amicably prior to the return day,

the parties shall appear, on the date and at the place specified in

the Rule accompanying the motion, for argument before the Family

Discovery Master. Should the moving party fail to appear, the motion

shall be dismissed. Briefs in support of and in opposition to the

motion may be submitted to the Family Discovery Master not less

than two days prior to the day scheduled for argument before the

Family Discovery Master.

(6)      After hearing arguments and upon consideration of the motion

and answer, and any briefs filed, the Family Discovery Master shall

submit a written recommendation and proposed order to the Judge

assigned to the case for entry of an appropriate order.

(7)      This rule does not apply to motions for sanctions.