Chester County Family Court: Everything You Need to Know

If you are going through a family law issue in Chester County, Pennsylvania, you will likely end up in the Chester County Family Court. The court handles a variety of cases related to family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and more.

What is the Chester County Family Court?

The Chester County Family Court is a division of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. It is responsible for handling all family law cases that arise within the county.

The court has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues related to family law, including:

  • Divorce
  • Child custody
  • Child support
  • Spousal support/alimony
  • Adoption
  • Paternity
  • Protection from abuse orders (PFA)
  • Juvenile delinquency and dependency cases

How Does the Chester County Family Court Work?

The process for filing a case in the Chester County Family Court varies depending on the type of case you are dealing with. However, most cases begin with the filing of a petition or complaint with the court.

If you are filing for divorce or seeking custody or support orders, you will need to complete certain forms and provide documentation to support your claims. The court will then schedule hearings where both parties can present their arguments and evidence.

If you are involved in a PFA case or juvenile dependency case, there may be additional steps involved such as temporary orders or evaluations by social workers or mental health professionals.

What Should I Expect in the Chester County Family Court?

Going to court can be a stressful and intimidating experience, especially when it involves family law issues. However, it is important to remember that the court is there to help you resolve your legal dispute in a fair and just manner.

You should expect to be treated with respect by court staff and judges, regardless of your background or circumstances. You should also come prepared with all necessary documentation and evidence to support your case.

If you are representing yourself in court, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of procedure and evidence so that you can present your case effectively.

Conclusion

The Chester County Family Court plays an important role in resolving family law disputes in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Whether you are dealing with divorce, child custody, or another family law issue, the court is there to help you navigate the legal system and find a resolution that works for everyone involved.

If you need assistance with your family law case, it may be helpful to consult with an experienced family law attorney who can guide you through the process and advocate for your interests.



Related Links:


1: Family Court | Chester County, PA - Official Website

https://www.chesco.org/567/Family-Court
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Family Court Administration is responsible for divorce/equitable distribution, custody, protection from abuse, and Hearing Officer support. Matters of child and ... HomeGovernmentCourtsCourt AdministrationFamily Court : If you are inquiring about a custody matter, you are strongly encouraged to seek legal advice. If you do not have an attorney, you can reach out to Legal Aid at 877-429-5994 or the Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 610-429-1500. Family Court Administration is responsible for divorce/equitable distribution, custody, protection from abuse, and Hearing Officer support. Matters of child and spousal support are handled by the Domestic Relations Office. Divorce and equitable distribution conferences and hearings, custody conferences and support hearings are held on the 5th Floor of the Chester County Justice Center. However, some hearings are scheduled before an assigned judge. All notices will indicate where parties shall report at the designated time. Parties and their lawyers should check in at Room 5402 for custody conferences, long-day support hearings, and divorce conferences and hearings. Parties and their lawyers should check in at Hearing Room A for support hearings. Juvenile Court consists of dependency matters involving the Department of Children, Youth and Family and delinquency matters involving the Juvenile Probation Office.  Dependency Court is located on the 5th floor of the Chester County Justice Center, Hearing Room H.  For questions, call 610-344-6983. Video: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependent Process Juvenile delinquency matters involve an allegation that a child committed a delinquent act. If your child has been charged with an offense, please contact the Juvenile Probation Office.







3: Family Court Forms | Chester County, PA - Official Website

https://www.chesco.org/4232/Family-Court-Forms
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Additional forms and materials may be found at pacourts.us/forms. Bilingual Forms can be found at pacourts.us/forms/bilingual-forms. HomeGovernmentCourtsCourt AdministrationFamily CourtFamily Court Forms Additional forms and materials may be found at pacourts.us/forms Bilingual Forms can be found at pacourts.us/forms/bilingual-forms Entry of Appearance - Self Represented*  Remote Appearance Form - Family Court Status Conference Pretrial Form Affidavit of Service of Original Process by Mail*  Complaint for Custody - Grandparents* Counter Affidavit Regarding Relocation*  Notice of Proposed Relocation of Court Case*  Notice of Proposed Relocation without Court Case*  Cert of Trial Readiness Custody Remote Appearance Request Form - Dependency Certification of Trial Readiness (Support) Custody Mediation Information for Attorneys Application to Serve as Custody Mediator Motion for Continuance of Custody Conciliation Conference Parenting Coordination Program Five County Compact Rule 1915 Parenting Coordination Application to be Considered for Appointment as Parenting Coordinator Mental Health Professional Affidavit Petition for Emergency Relief from Abuse* -  petición de emergencia para protección contra maltrato   Temporary Protection from Abuse* - orden temporal de protección contra el maltrato Petition for Protection from Abuse* -  petición de protección contra el maltrato Final Protection from Abuse Order* -  orden final de protección contra el maltrato Notice of Hearing and Order* - aviso de audiencia y orden * Protection from Sexual Intimidation Petition for Emergency Relief* - petición de alivio de emergencia*







5: Custody Procedure and Forms | Chester County, PA - Official Website

https://www.chesco.org/568/Custody
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The custody procedure is a multi-step process. After filing a complaint for custody or a motion to modify the present custody situation, each party is required ... HomeGovernmentCourtsCourt AdministrationFamily CourtCustody If you are inquiring about a custody matter, you are strongly encouraged to seek legal advice. If you do not have an attorney, please contact Legal Aid at 877-429-5994 or the Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 610-429-1500.  Chester County Local Custody Rules and Forms* Notice Regarding Bringing Children to Custody Conciliation Conferences Motion for Continuance of Custody Conciliation Conference Custody Self-Help Instructions -  condado de chester representación por cuenta propia en casos de custodia Self Representation and Forms in Custody Proceedings   *These forms are not inclusive of all forms needed to commence or proceed with a custody action but reflect county-specific forms. We recommend that you read the Chester County Local Rules regarding custody to ascertain when the local forms are needed. Chester County Custody Procedures In Chester County, the custody procedure is a multi-step process. After filing a complaint for custody or a motion to modify the present custody situation, each party is required to attend a mandatory parenting class as well as a mandatory mediation session with a court appointed and approved mediator. The mediation is conducted without lawyers. If the parties are unable to settle their matter at mediation, the parties attend, with counsel, a custody conciliation conducted by a Hearing Officer. This is not an evidentiary hearing, but rather a place for the parties to meet and attempt to agree on a schedule. If they cannot agree, the conciliator will recommend a temporary schedule that will take immediate effect.