Reviewed August 2026
Court Hearings in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania handles support and divorce matters through a layered hearing structure. It starts with an office conference, not a courtroom appearance before a judge. Under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.11, a conference officer meets with both parties and reviews their financial documents. The officer calculates a recommended guideline support amount before the matter ever reaches a judge. A divorce case may need other relief while it is pending. This includes protecting marital property from being sold or hidden. Pa.R.C.P. 1920.43 lets a party petition for special relief at any time after the complaint is filed. The court can issue an injunction, order property seized or attached, or grant other relief on terms it considers just. Pennsylvania's judicial districts organize their family law dockets locally. The specific mix of conference officers, hearing officers, and judges handling a case depends on the county.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how court hearings works under Pennsylvania law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Pennsylvania paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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The office conference for support cases
Pa.R.C.P. 1910.11 requires a conference officer, not a judge, to run the initial office conference in a support case. Both parties must bring specific financial documents. These include recent tax returns, six months of pay stubs, and verification of child care expenses. They must also bring existing support or alimony orders and proof of medical coverage. A completed Income Statement is required too, along with an Expense Statement where relevant. The conference officer calculates a guideline support amount and makes a recommendation. If a party fails to appear as directed, the conference can proceed and may result in a default order against that party.
What happens after the conference
If the parties agree on a support amount at the conference, the officer prepares a written order. Both parties sign it. The officer then submits the order to the court with a recommendation. The court can enter the order based on the agreement, without a separate hearing. When one or both parties are unrepresented, they must provide income information. The domestic relations section then uses it to perform a guidelines calculation. The conference officer must also prepare a conference summary, generally within 10 days. It states the facts the parties agree on, the contested facts, and the officer's recommendation.
Special relief while a divorce case is pending
Pa.R.C.P. 1920.43 lets a party petition for special relief at any time after the divorce complaint is filed, based on facts entitling that party to relief. The court can issue preliminary or special injunctions to stop the removal, disposal, or encumbering of real or personal property. It can also order property seized or attached, or grant other relief on terms it finds just, including a security requirement. This rule connects to Section 3505 of Pennsylvania's Divorce Code. That section covers injunctions against disposing of property while a case is pending.
Conference officers, hearing officers, and masters
Pennsylvania's judicial districts use a mix of conference officers for support matters. In many counties, masters or hearing officers handle other divorce-related issues, such as equitable distribution of property. An attorney who serves as a conference officer for a judicial district cannot practice family law before a conference officer, hearing officer, or judge in that same district. This conflict rule keeps the process independent. Each judicial district sets its own structure through local rules, including whether a case goes before a master for economic claims.
What to expect and where to get help
A support conference is generally less formal than a courtroom hearing. It focuses on document review and a guideline calculation, rather than testimony. Special relief petitions and other divorce motions may go to a hearing before a judge, master, or hearing officer. That depends on the county and the relief requested. Pennsylvania's structure varies by judicial district. Check the specific county court's local rules or self-help resources to know what a scheduled proceeding will involve.
Sources: 231 Pa. Code Rule 1910.11, office conference, subsequent proceedings, order, 231 Pa. Code Rule 1920.43, special relief in divorce actions, Pennsylvania Courts, statewide judicial branch site
Not independently confirmed
- Whether a given Pennsylvania judicial district uses masters, hearing officers, or judges for equitable distribution and other divorce-related hearings varies by county and was not confirmed county by county for this page.
- Confirm current remote hearing and conference availability with the specific judicial district or court before relying on it, as practices vary across Pennsylvania's 60 judicial districts.
Court Hearings in Pennsylvania: frequently asked questions
What is an office conference in a Pennsylvania support case?+
It is the initial proceeding under Pa.R.C.P. 1910.11, conducted by a conference officer rather than a judge. Both parties provide financial documents, and the conference officer calculates and recommends a guideline support amount, which can become a court order if the parties agree.
What documents do I need to bring to a Pennsylvania support conference?+
Bring recent federal tax returns with schedules and, if self-employed, business tax returns. Bring six months of pay stubs, verification of child care expenses, existing support or alimony orders, and proof of medical coverage. You need a completed Income Statement, plus an Expense Statement if claiming unusual expenses or seeking a deviation.
What happens if I miss my Pennsylvania support conference?+
The conference may proceed without you, and a default order can be entered against the non-appearing party. Appear as directed by the court. Otherwise, the order may be based only on the other party's information.
How do I protect marital property while my Pennsylvania divorce is pending?+
You can petition for special relief under Pa.R.C.P. 1920.43 at any time after the complaint is filed. The court can issue an injunction preventing the removal or disposal of property, order property seized or attached, or grant other appropriate relief on terms it considers just.
Does a judge hear every Pennsylvania divorce and support matter?+
Not initially. Support matters generally start with a conference officer, and many counties use masters or hearing officers for other divorce-related issues like property division. A judge becomes involved when a matter is contested, when reviewing a conference officer's recommendation, or when a case proceeds to a formal hearing.
Can a conference officer also represent clients in Pennsylvania family law cases?+
An attorney who serves as a conference officer for a judicial district cannot practice family law before a conference officer, hearing officer, or judge in that same district. This rule is meant to keep the conference process independent from the officer's private practice.
This page is general information about court hearings in Pennsylvania, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Pennsylvania's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. Virdix does not prepare or file Pennsylvania divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania.
More Pennsylvania divorce guides
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