Rule 1915.4-1. Alternative Hearing Procedures for Partial Custody Actions.

       (a) A custody action shall proceed as prescribed by [Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No.
1915.4-3 unless the court, by local rule, adopts the alternative hearing procedure
authorized by [Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.4-2 pursuant to which an action for partial
custody may be heard by a hearing officer, except as provided in subdivision (b)
[below].

       (b) Promptly after the parties’ initial contact with the court as set forth in
[Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.4(a), a party may move the court for a hearing before a
judge, rather than a hearing officer, in an action for partial custody where:

              (1) there are complex questions of law, fact or both[,]; or
              (2) the parties certify to the court that there are serious allegations
              affecting the child’s welfare.

        (c) The president judge or the administrative judge of the family division of each
county shall certify that custody proceedings generally are conducted in accordance
with either [Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.4-2 or [Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.4-3. The
certification shall be filed with the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and shall be substantially in the following form:

      I hereby certify that ________________________________ County conducts its
custody proceedings in accordance with [Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No. ___________________.

                            ___________________________________________
                            (President Judge)

                            ___________________________________________
                            (Administrative Judge)

        Note: Pursuant to [Rule]Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.4-1, the following counties have
certified to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee that their custody
proceedings generally are conducted in accordance with the rule specified below:

                 COUNTY                                             RULE
                                            ***

              Northumberland                                    [1915.4-2]1915.4-3

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