The Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee began in 1984 as a section of the Civil Procedural Rules Committee. It became a separate committee, known as the Domestic Relations Committee, in 1987. In 1997 the committee's title was changed to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee.
The committee has ten members. Two positions on the committee are reserved for the administrative judges of the family divisions of the Philadelphia and Allegheny Courts of Common Pleas. One position is reserved for a county court administrator. The remaining members are judges and lawyers who are experienced in domestic relations matters. Committee members are appointed by the Supreme Court to three-year terms, and each member may serve a maximum of two terms.
The committee is an advisory body. Its role is to advise the Supreme Court on matters related to the procedural rules governing actions for divorce, support, custody, paternity and protection from abuse.
The primary goal of the committee is to simplify family law practice by recommending new rules or amendments to existing procedural rules relating to family law matters. The committee reviews legislation and monitors court decisions to ensure that the rules conform to developments in the law as well as to the realities of family law practice. The committee strives to promote statewide uniformity of practice, to streamline procedures and to encourage the prompt disposition of family law matters.
Committee members and staff speak at conferences and seminars to inform lawyers, court personnel and others of recent and proposed changes in the procedural rules related to family law matters. The committee strives to maintain open channels of communication with those who work with, or are affected by, the rules it proposes, including judges, lawyers, court administrators, domestic relations section personnel, the Department of Public Welfare and the public.
| Committee Members |
Staff |
| Carol A. Behers, Esq., Chair |
Patricia A. Miles, Esq., Counsel |
| Honorable Kevin M. Dougherty, Vice Chair |
Terri Lynn Metil, Administrative Assistant |
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| Maria P. Cognetti, Esq. |
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| Vivian Appel, Esq., ex officio |
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| Mark J. Goldberg, Esq. |
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| David L. Ladov, Esq. |
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| Honorable Anthony G. Marsili |
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| Carol S. Mills McCarthy, Esq. |
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| Ann G. Verber, Esq. |
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| Honorable David N. Wecht |
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Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee
Pennsylvania Judicial Center
601 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 6200
PO Box 62635
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2635
phone: 717-231-9530
fax: 717-231-9531
e-mail: patricia.miles@pacourts.us
Current Proposed Rules for Public Comment
These recommendations have not been submitted to or adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. They are being published by the committee to solicit input from the public. No rules in this section are in effect.
No proposals are currently being published for comment.