Court of Common Pleas of Adams County, Pennsylvania Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICALCivil cases

A party must file a brief with the Prothonotary, who must immediately docket it and expeditiously forward it to the appropriate judge.

(F) A party shall file a brief with the Prothonotary who shall immediately docket the same and expeditiously forward the brief to the appropriate Judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

A custody conciliation conference must be scheduled no more than 45 days after assignment by the presiding judge.

Custody conciliation conferences shall be scheduled not more than forty-five (45) days from the date of assignment by the presiding judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

The custody complaint, parties' criminal affidavits, and filing fee must be submitted at the same time as the proposed order in the specified agreed custody action.

If you are initiating a custody action and the parties have reached an agreement without the need of a custody conference, you must file a custody complaint with criminal affidavits of the parties and pay the appropriate filing fee at the Prothonotary’s Office at the same time as submitting the proposed order.

CRITICAL

After filing and docketing, the school police officer petition must be forwarded immediately to the President Judge or designee for review.

Immediately after filing and docketing of the petition, it shall be forwarded to the President Judge, or designee, for review.

CRITICALCivil cases

When a post-trial motion is filed, the Prothonotary must docket it immediately and forward it expeditiously to the trial judge.

Upon the filing of a post-trial motion by any party, the Prothonotary shall immediately docket the motion and expeditiously forward it to the trial Judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

The moving party must file a supporting brief with the motion; if it does not, an opposing party may praecipe to have the motion deemed withdrawn without prejudice.

In addition to the requirements contained in Pa.R.C.P. No. 208.2, the moving party shall file a supporting brief concurrently with the filing of a motion. If a brief is not filed with the motion, the motion shall be deemed withdrawn, without prejudice, upon praecipe of an opposing party.

CRITICALCivil cases

The emergency-order record certification must be forwarded to Court Administration by 8:30 a.m. on the next business day.

A certification of the Magisterial District Judge’s record for emergency order shall be forwarded to Court Administration by 8:30 a.m. the next business day,

CRITICALCivil cases

The Prothonotary must immediately docket each paper upon filing.

Upon the filing of any paper, it is the duty of the Prothonotary to immediately docket the paper.

CRITICAL

After filing and docketing, the humane society police officer petition must be forwarded immediately to the President Judge or designee for review.

Immediately after filing and docketing of the petition it shall be forwarded to the President Judge, or designee, for review.

CRITICALCivil cases

After a motion and supporting brief are filed, the Prothonotary must expeditiously transmit the file; later responses and other documents affecting the matter must be immediately docketed and expeditiously transmitted to the judge holding the file.

(F) Upon the filing of a motion and a supporting brief, the Prothonotary shall expeditiously transmit the file to the Court Administrator's Office who thereafter will forward the file to the Civil Business Judge designated by the President Judge. Thereafter, upon the filing of a response, a responsive brief or any other documents affecting the matter, the Prothonotary shall immediately docket the same and expeditiously transmit the documents to the Judge in possession of the file.

CRITICALCivil cases

A petition seeking temporary relief based on immediate and present danger must be filed with the Prothonotary and presented directly to the assigned PFA Judge between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on court business days.

1. If the petition seeks temporary relief for Protection From Abuse or Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation, and alleges immediate and present danger of abuse to the plaintiff and/or minor children, the petition shall be presented directly to the assigned PFA Judge after filing with the Prothonotary between the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. on days the Court of Common Pleas is open for business.

WARNINGCivil cases

After a motion for summary judgment is filed, the Prothonotary must expeditiously transmit the file to an appropriate judge.

Upon the filing of a motion for summary judgment, the Prothonotary shall expeditiously transmit the file to an appropriate Judge.

WARNINGCivil cases

A motion for appointment filed less than 30 days after the moving party’s Inventory is identified as a defect.

or the motion for the appointment was filed less than 30 days after filing of the moving party’s Inventory;

WARNINGCivil cases

The Prothonotary must immediately docket preliminary objections and expeditiously transmit the file to an appropriate judge.

Upon the filing of preliminary objections pursuant to this subparagraph, the Prothonotary shall immediately docket the preliminary objections and expeditiously transmit the file to an appropriate Judge.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Prothonotary must immediately forward motions for special relief to the Court Administrator, who must then forward them to the designated Civil Business Judge.

All motions for special relief, including motions pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1530 and 1531, shall be filed with the Prothonotary's office and immediately forwarded by the Prothonotary to the Court Administrator's office who, thereafter, shall forward the motion to the Civil Business Judge designated by the President Judge.

WARNING

The payment-motion rule does not apply to services governed by a separate agreement with Adams County.

This rule is not applicable when services are governed by separate agreement with the County of Adams.

WARNINGCivil cases

After a motion for judgment on the pleadings and supporting brief are filed, the Prothonotary must expeditiously transmit the file to an appropriate judge.

Upon the filing of a motion for judgment on the pleadings and a supporting brief, the Prothonotary shall expeditiously transmit the file to an appropriate Judge.

WARNINGCivil cases

Summary judgment motions are decided on the briefs without oral argument unless a party requests argument by praecipe.

Motions for summary judgment shall be considered on briefs by the Court without argument unless a party files a request for oral argument by praecipe.

WARNING

Listed service providers may petition the Court for special consideration for a payment-motion delay if they present cause.

Court-appointed counsel, conciliators, hearing officers, masters and guardians may petition the Court for special consideration if cause is presented as to a delay in submission of motion for payment.

WARNING

The Prothonotary must forward the file to the President Judge or designee on the stated day after the appeal is filed.

The Prothonotary shall forward the file to the President Judge, or designee, on the thirty (31st) day following the filing of the appeal.

INFO

Court-appointed counsel and other listed service providers are encouraged to submit payment motions monthly or quarterly.

All court-appointed counsel, conciliators, hearing officers, masters and guardians are encouraged to submit motion for payment of services on a monthly or quarterly basis.

CRITICALCivil cases

An opposing party's request for oral argument must be filed within the response period specified in subparagraph C.

Requests for oral argument by any opposing party shall be filed within the time period in which a response must be filed pursuant to subparagraph C. of this rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

A remote-participation motion must be filed at least seven days before the hearing de novo.

Consistent with Pa. R.C.P. No. 1930.3, all requests for a party or a witness to participate in a hearing de novo via telephone, audiovisual or other electronic means shall be made by formal motion with good cause shown filed at the Domestic Relations Section at least seven (7) days in advance of the hearing de novo.

CRITICAL

The Board of View must submit a written report within 60 days of appointment or, if that is not possible, file a preliminary report explaining the delay and expected completion time.

F. Report. The Report of a Board of View shall be in writing and submitted to the Court within sixty {60) days of appointment of the Board. If the report cannot be completed and submitted within that period of time, the chairperson shall file a preliminary report with the Court explaining the reason(s) for the delay and setting forth the expected time needed to complete the report.

CRITICALCivil cases

File the Criminal/Abuse History Verification by the time of the custody conciliation conference.

If you have not already done so, you must complete and file with the Prothonotary a Criminal/Abuse History Verification regarding you and all persons living in your household on or before the time of the custody conciliation conference.

CRITICALCivil cases

The prescribed order states that the respondent must file an answer within twenty days after service.

(2) the respondent shall file an answer to the petition within twenty days of service upon the respondent;

CRITICAL

All papers must be promptly forwarded to the Prothonotary's Office for filing.

All papers shall be promptly forwarded for filing to the Prothonotary's Office.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party expecting to need more than one hour to present its case must file a written motion to specially set the matter as complex litigation within seven days of the Order.

If a party believes that it will require more than one hour to present the party’s case, a written motion to have the matter specially set as a complex litigation must be filed within seven days of the date of this Order with the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.

CRITICALCivil cases

The referenced filing is due within 10 days after preliminary objections are filed; otherwise, the objections are deemed withdrawn and the Court may direct the objector to file an appropriate pleading upon praecipe.

filed within ten (10) days of the filing of the preliminary objections, the preliminary objections shall be deemed withdrawn and, upon praecipe, the Court shall enter an Order directing the objector to file an appropriate pleading.

CRITICALCivil cases

The moving party must file its supporting brief within 20 days after service of the response; otherwise, the motion is deemed withdrawn without prejudice upon an opposing party’s praecipe.

The moving party shall file a supporting brief within twenty (20) days after the service of the response by the adverse party. If a brief is not filed within the time period set forth herein, the motion shall be deemed withdrawn, without prejudice, upon praceipe of an opposing party.

CRITICALCivil cases

A non-moving party anticipating complex litigation must advise the Court in writing within seven days after receiving notice of the arbitration-hearing request; an untimely request to list the case as complex will be denied.

If the non-moving party anticipates complex litigation, the non-moving party shall advise the Court in writing of the same within seven (7) days of receipt of notice from the moving party of the request to list for arbitration hearing. An untimely request to list the matter as a complex case shall be denied as untimely.

CRITICALCivil cases

Accounts and proposed-distribution statements filed by the tenth day, after proper notice and if no objections are filed, are confirmed on the Civil Miscellaneous Court Day of the following month.

All accounts and statements of proposed distributions which are filed by the tenth (10th) day of the month, provided that proper notice has been given and no objections filed, shall be confirmed by the Court on the Civil Miscellaneous Court Day of the following month.

CRITICALCivil cases

Each party must file a pre-trial statement with the Prothonotary no later than five days before the pre-trial conference.

Each party shall file with the Prothonotary a pre-trial statement no later than five (5) days prior to the pre-trial conference.

CRITICALCivil cases

Each party must submit its pre-trial statement at least five days before the pre-trial conference.

At least five (5) days prior to the pre-trial conference held pursuant to Adams C.Civ.R. No. 212.3, each party shall submit a pre-trial statement

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

10 business days

The Court must set a final hearing within ten business days after filing either specified protection petition, whether or not temporary relief is granted.

Whether the request for temporary order is granted or denied, the Court shall set a date for a final hearing to occur within ten (10) business days of the filing of a petition for Protection From Abuse or a petition for Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation, following the administrative rules and policies of the 51st Judicial District.

CRITICALCivil cases

Court Administration must immediately file the record with the Prothonotary’s Office.

who shall immediately file the record with the Prothonotary’s Office so that the record is available to the Court of Common Pleas.

CRITICAL

The petition must be forwarded to the President Judge or designee within five days after filing.

B. Within five (5) days after the filing of the petition, it shall be forwarded to the President Judge, or designee, for the scheduling of a hearing or such other action as may be deemed necessary or appropriate.

CRITICALCivil cases

A person may be excused from in-person mediation only upon a showing of extraordinary or otherwise unjustifiable hardship, and must file the motion at least ten days before mediation while simultaneously copying all counsel and the mediator.

A person who is required to attend mediation may be excused from attending in person only after a showing that personal attendance would impose an extraordinary or otherwise unjustifiable hardship. A person seeking to be excused must file a motion with the court no fewer than ten (10) days before the date set for the mediation, simultaneously copying all counsel and the mediator.

CRITICALCivil cases

Each party must file its Conciliation Conference Memorandum with the Prothonotary and serve it on opposing counsel or the self-represented opposing party at least three business days before the conference.

At least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled conciliation conference, each party shall file a Conciliation Conference Memorandum with the Prothonotary and serve a copy upon opposing counsel or opposing party if self-represented.

CRITICALCivil cases

Plaintiff’s counsel must file the settlement, discontinuance, or satisfaction praecipe before the scheduled hearing date if the case settles beforehand.

If the case is settled before the hearing date, plaintiff’s counsel shall, prior to the date of the scheduled hearing, file with the Prothonotary a praecipe to settle, discontinue and/or satisfy the action.

CRITICAL

The Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts must forward the appeal file to the President Judge or designee on the 31st day after filing.

The Prothonotary or Clerk of Courts shall forward the file to the President Judge, or designee, on the thirty-first (31st) day following the filing of said appeal.

CRITICALCivil cases

Proposed exhibits and their copies must not be filed with the Prothonotary until the court admits them into evidence.

Proposed exhibits and copies thereof shall not be appended to the pre-trial statement and shall not be filed with the Prothonotary until admitted into evidence by the court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Within five days after mediation concludes, the mediator must submit a written report directly to the court containing the specified case, mediation, settlement, stipulation, and good-faith information.

Within five (5) days of the conclusion of the mediation, the mediator shall submit to the court directly a written report that includes the caption and case number, the date of the mediation, whether any follow up is scheduled, whether the case settled in whole or in part, and any stipulations the parties agree may be disclosed, and whether the parties participated in good faith.

CRITICALCivil cases

The written verification is due by the initial in-person court contact and in all events no later than 30 days after service of the complaint or petition.

You must file with the court a written verification regarding any criminal record or abuse history regarding you and anyone living in your household on or before the initial in-person contact with the court but not later than thirty days after service of the complaint or petition.

CRITICALCivil cases

The adverse party must file a response within 30 days after service of the summary judgment motion.

The adverse party must file a response within thirty (30) days after service of the motion pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1035.3.

CRITICALCivil cases

In complex cases, each party must file a Prehearing Memorandum at the Domestic Relations Section at least five days before the hearing.

For all cases designated as complex, each party shall file a Prehearing Memorandum at the Domestic Relations Section at least five (5) days in advance of the date set for hearing, with service thereof upon the opposing party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The issuing authority must transmit the original Written Notice and transcript to the Clerk within five days after the defendant is held for court.

The issuing authority shall transmit the original Written Notice of court dates, along with the transcript, to the Clerk of Court’s Office within five (5) days of the defendant being held for court.

CRITICALCivil cases

An opposing party must file its responsive brief within 15 days after service of the moving party's brief.

Within fifteen (15) days of service of the moving party's brief, any party opposing the motion shall file a responsive brief, together with any portions of the record which support opposition to the motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Proposed exhibits must not be filed with the Prothonotary until the court admits them into evidence.

Proposed exhibits shall not be filed with the Prothonotary until admitted into evidence by the court.

CRITICALCivil cases

The investigation fee is due within two weeks after the earlier filing of the adoption petition or notice of intention to adopt, unless the person is excused from an investigation.

Petitioners and/or persons filing notices of intention to adopt shall, unless excused from an investigation, pay the investigation fee within two (2) weeks of filing a petition or notice of intention to adopt, whichever is filed first.

CRITICALCivil cases

A responding party who wants oral argument must file a written request within 10 days after service of the preliminary objections.

If a responding party desires oral argument, a written request for oral argument shall be filed with the Court within ten (10) days after service of the preliminary objections.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A waiver of formal arraignment must be presented to the Court before or at formal arraignment.

A defendant who is represented by counsel of record may waive appearance at formal arraignment by presenting to the Court prior to or at the time of formal arraignment a waiver in substantially the form set forth in Rule 571.1.

CRITICALCivil cases

Petitioners must provide the agency with the required home description and directions within the two-week period.

Petitioners shall, within the two (2) week period, provide the agency with a description of petitioners' home and detailed directions to it.

CRITICAL

Listed court-appointed service providers must submit payment motions in the calendar year the services were rendered.

In all instances, court-appointed counsel, conciliators, hearing officers, masters and guardians shall submit motion for payment in the calendar year the service was rendered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

7 business days

The conciliator must file the original report and a copy for each party within seven business days after the conciliation conference concludes.

Within seven (7) business days after the conclusion of the conciliation conference, the conciliator shall file the original Report of Conciliator with the Prothonotary, along with a copy for each party.

CRITICALCivil cases

If the supporting brief was timely filed and served, the opposing party must file an opposition within 15 days after service of that brief.

If a brief in support of exceptions has been timely filed and served, the party opposing the exceptions shall file a brief in opposition within fifteen (15) days after service of the brief in support of exceptions.

CRITICALCivil cases

If the petitioner files a supporting brief, the respondent must file a responsive brief within 20 days after service; failure to respond is treated as non-opposition, subject to the stated limit on dismissal with prejudice.

If a supporting brief is filed by the petitioner, the respondent shall file a responsive brief within twenty (20) days after service of the supporting brief. Any party who fails to file a responsive brief shall be deemed not to oppose the objections. Upon praecipe, the Court will enter an Order granting the preliminary objections except that no civil action or proceeding shall be dismissed with prejudice for failure to comply.

CRITICALCivil cases

An opposing party must file a responsive brief within 20 days after service, with any opposing affidavits or other documents; failure to file the brief means the party is deemed not to oppose the motion.

Within twenty (20) days after service of the moving party's motion and brief, any party opposing the motion shall file a responsive brief, together with any opposing affidavits, depositions, transcripts or other documents. Any party who fails to file a responsive brief shall be deemed not to oppose the motion.

CRITICAL

Payment motions for work performed in the preceding year must be filed by January 7.

Motions for payment must be filed by January 7 of a given year for the work performed in the preceding year.

CRITICAL

Failure to file a payment motion by January 7 results in forfeiture of payment for the services.

Failure to submit motion for payment by January 7 shall result in forfeiture of payment for services rendered.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party filing exceptions must file and serve a supporting brief within 20 days after filing the exceptions.

If either party files exceptions to the Report and Recommendation, the party filing exceptions shall file and serve a brief in support of their exceptions within twenty (20) days of filing of the exceptions.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Counsel may present the executed waiver by the end of business on the Friday before the preliminary hearing.

The executed waiver may be presented by counsel to the presiding Magisterial District Judge no later than the end of business on the Friday preceding the preliminary hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

A plaintiff seeking a temporary order must prepare and file a petition and appear before a Court of Common Pleas judge on the next business day.

B. if the plaintiff seeks the issuance of a temporary order, on the next Court of Common Pleas business day, the Plaintiff shall prepare and file a petition in the form required by the Rules of Civil Procedure and shall appear before a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

CRITICALCivil cases

An obligor must file a written objection with the office within twenty days to contest the reported arrearage information.

According to our records, you owe $_______, and this amount will be reported unless you contest the accuracy of the information within the next twenty days by filing a written objection with this office.

CRITICALCivil cases

Such request shall be filed by the moving party concurrent with the filing of the motion.

Such request shall be filed by the moving party concurrent with the filing of the motion.

CRITICAL

A party must request a hearing within 30 days of publication or the date the lists are sent to prevent termination of a listed matter.

The publication and lists sent to the District Attorney and tax bureau or taxing authority shall include a disclaimer to indicate that the matters listed shall be terminated after 30 days of publication or date of lists sent to the District Attorney and tax bureau or taxing authority unless a party to the proceeding requests a hearing from the appropriate Magisterial District Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

(5) The petitioner shall file a brief in support of the petition within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order. Any party opposing the petition shall file a responsive brief within seven (7) days of service of the petitioner's brief. The filing of briefs is not necessary.

(5) The petitioner shall file a brief in support of the petition within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order. Any party opposing the petition shall file a responsive brief within seven (7) days of service of the petitioner's brief. The filing of briefs is not necessary.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 business days

The Adams County Clerk of Courts Office must forward a compliant constable appointment petition to the President Judge or designee within five business days after filing.

C. Upon the filing of a petition in compliance with the requirements of this rule, the Adams County Clerk of Courts Office shall forward the same to the President Judge, or designee, within five (5) business days of the filing of the same.

CRITICAL

Requests for daily, expedited, or same-day transcripts must be filed in writing at least 10 days before the proceeding and copies delivered as required for ordinary requests; when justice requires and that notice is not reasonably possible, the request must be made by oral motion to the presiding Judge.

Where daily, expedited, or same day transcripts are requested, request for those transcripts shall be filed in writing in the appropriate filing office at least ten (10) days prior to the proceeding with copies of the request delivered as required by paragraph (b). Where justice requires and ten (10) days prior notice cannot reasonably be provided, requests for daily, expedited, or same day transcripts shall be made by oral motion to the presiding Judge.

CRITICAL

For an appeal under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, the Prothonotary must forward the file to the President Judge or designee on the 31st day after filing.

Whenever an appeal is filed pursuant to provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P. S. Sec. 10101, et. seq., the Prothonotary shall forward the file to the President Judge, or designee, on the thirty-first (31st) day following the filing of said appeal.

CRITICAL

A real estate tax assessment appeal must be filed in the Office of the Prothonotary within the time prescribed by statute.

A real estate tax assessment appeal from a decision of the Adams County Board of Assessment Appeals as to the amount of assessment for real estate tax purposes or to an exemption of real estate from payment of real estate taxes shall be captioned "Real Estate Tax Assessment Appeal" and shall be filed in the Office of the Prothonotary within the time prescribed by statute.

CRITICAL

If no hearing is requested within 30 days of publication, the Magisterial District Court must dismiss the summary citation or ticket.

4. In the event a hearing is not requested within 30 days of publication, the Magisterial District Court shall: i. Dismiss the summary citation or ticket filed.

CRITICALCivil cases

A motion seeking a refund of the initial conciliator’s fee must be filed within ten days after the last scheduled conference, and later requests will not be granted.

If the case is withdrawn from the conciliator’s consideration prior to any conciliation conference occurring, and the party paying the initial conciliator’s fee seeks a refund thereof, the party shall file a motion requesting a refund not later than ten (10) days after the last scheduled conciliation conference. Requests for refund filed more than ten days after the last scheduled conciliation conference will not be granted.

CRITICALCivil cases

The certificate of service is due within five days after filing.

A certificate of service shall be filed within five (5) days of filing indicating date and manner of service.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party filing preliminary objections under this subparagraph must file a supporting brief within ten days after filing the objections.

A party filing preliminary objections pursuant to this subparagraph shall file a supporting brief within ten (10) days of the date of the filing of the preliminary objections.

WARNING

An affiant may appeal a determination to the Court of Common Pleas within the time allowed for Summary Appeals under the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

iii. The affiant shall have the right to appeal any determination to the Court of Common Pleas within the time period for Summary Appeals pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

WARNINGCivil cases

An opposing party may file a written response within 20 days after service of the motion and brief, but is not required to do so.

Within twenty (20) days after service of the moving party's motion and brief, any party opposing the motion may file a written response; however, a response is not required.

WARNINGCivil cases

Presentations will be scheduled at least ten days after the complaint or specified petition is filed.

(4) The presiding judge’s chambers will schedule presentations at least ten days from the date the complaint, petition for modification, petition to intervene or petition for contempt was filed.

WARNING

Nonjoining owners and relevant municipal bodies have thirty days from mailing to object to the proposed settlement before it is considered approved.

The settlement shall contain a proposed order directing that notice of the proposed settlement be given by ordinary mail to all owners or relevant municipal bodies who have not joined in the proposal giving them thirty {30) days from the date of mailing to object thereto or the proposed settlement will be considered approved by the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Deadline

5 business days

The moving party may file a reply brief within five business days after service of the responsive brief.

(D) Reply brief. The moving party may file a brief in reply to a responsive brief within five (5) business days after service of a responsive brief.

WARNING

A person with a possessory or legal interest in an admitted exhibit may file a claim for it within 30 days after trial.

Notwithstanding the above, any person who has a possessory or legal interest in any exhibit which has been introduced into evidence may file a claim for such exhibit within thirty (30) days after trial.