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

CRITICALCivil cases

Untimely exceptions will not be heard.

(g) In the event exceptions are filed, the Clerk shall forthwith transmit the proceedings to the Court Administrator for further scheduling for a hearing or argument as the Court may determine. No exceptions will be heard that are not timely filed.

WARNINGCivil cases

For an estate not exceeding the statutory value limitation, the personal representative may present a petition after one year from the first complete advertisements of the grant of letters.

When the value of the gross real and personal estate of a decedent does not exceed the value of the statutory limitation, the personal representative, after the expiration of one (1) year from the first complete advertisements of the grant of letters, may present a petition to the Court with an account attached under the provisions of the PEF Code §3531 (20 Pa. C.S.A. §3531).

CRITICALCivil cases

Discovery must be requested and completed within 120 days after the requesting party receives notice of the initial application to the Board.

Discovery shall be requested and completed within one hundred twenty (120) days from the requesting party's receipt of notice of the initial application to the Board.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant intending to offer an alibi, insanity, or mental-infirmity defense must notify the Commonwealth’s attorney in writing within 30 days after the stated arraignment date.

4. If I intend to offer the defense of alibi, insanity or mental infirmity, I must notify the attorney for the Commonwealth in writing within thirty (30) days after the stated arraignment date.

CRITICALCivil cases

A written objection must be received by the magisterial district judge before the rule-return date or within 30 days after publication to avoid dismissal with prejudice for failure to prosecute.

If no written objection is received by the magisterial district judge prior to the date for the rule returnable or within thirty (30) days after publication as set forth in (6) above, an order shall be entered dismissing the matter with prejudice for failure to prosecute under the provisions of this rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

(a) If no exceptions are filed to the official’s report within twenty (20) days of the fate of filing, the Clerk shall transmit the report to the Court for confirmation.

(a) If no exceptions are filed to the official’s report within twenty (20) days of the fate of filing, the Clerk shall transmit the report to the Court for confirmation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Interested parties must file objections with the Court within 20 days from the date of notice.

Interested parties shall have twenty (20) days from the date of notice to file objections with the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

If not already filed, the parties must file their pre-hearing statements within 20 days of the order date.

If not filed already the parties are ordered to file their pre-hearing statements within twenty (20) days from this date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Under Option 1, an appropriate petition must be filed with the Orphans' Court within 30 days.

An appropriate petition shall be filed with the Orphans' Court within thirty (30) days.

CRITICALCivil cases

Accounts and Statements of Proposed Distribution must be filed at least 30 days before the chosen confirmation date published in the annual Court Calendar.

(a) All Accounts and Statements of Proposed Distribution must be filed with the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court no later than thirty (30) days before the regularly scheduled confirmation date published in the annual Court Calendar upon which the accountant desires to have the Account and/or Statement of Proposed Distribution submitted to the Court for approval.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party or other person entitled to and seeking a jury trial must make a timely demand under PEF Code §777(c).

A party or person entitled to and desiring a trial by jury shall make timely demand thereof in accordance with PEF Code §777(c).

CRITICALCivil cases

An interested party may file exceptions to an Auditor’s or Master’s report within 20 days after service on that party.

(b) Any interested party shall have the right to file exceptions to an Auditor’s or Master’s report within twenty (20) days after the date of service upon that party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

An omnibus pretrial motion must be filed and served within 30 days after arraignment, subject to the stated exceptions and court extension for cause.

Except as otherwise provided in these rules, an omnibus pretrial motion for relief shall be filed and served within thirty (30) days after arraignment, unless opportunity therefor did not exist or the defendant, defense counsel, or the attorney for the Commonwealth was not aware of the grounds for the motion or the time for filing has been extended by the Court for cause shown.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must file proof of account establishment with the Prothonotary within 60 days after the final order, using an affidavit certifying compliance and attaching the required account documentation.

Counsel shall file with the Prothonotary within sixty (60) days from the date of this final order, proof of the establishment of the accounts as required herein, by affidavit from counsel certifying compliance with this order. Counsel shall attach to the affidavit a copy of the Certificate of Deposit and/or bank account containing the required restrictions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Arbitration appeal

An appeal from the arbitrators' award must be filed no later than 30 days after the award is entered on the docket.

Said appeal shall be filed not later than 30 days after the date of the entry of the award of the arbitrators on the docket.

CRITICAL

The President Judge will provide a written final resolution within 15 calendar days after the meeting and use an accessible format where appropriate.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the meeting, the President Judge will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party objecting to an arbitration praecipe must file a motion for delay within the 20-day period, pending completion of pretrial discovery and filings.

If the other party objects to the praecipe, that party shall, within the 20 days, file a motion requesting delay in the appointment of arbitrators pending completion of the pre-trial discovery and filings.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant who wants a bench trial must notify the Court no later than the time set for the trial-list call.

7. I must give the Court notice no later than the time set for the call of the trial list in my case [which date has been provided to me on the Criminal Case Scheduling Form I have received] if I desire to have my case tried before a judge without a jury.

CRITICALCivil cases

The appellant must file an affidavit of service within 20 days after service of the appeal.

Within twenty (20) days of service of the appeal, the appellant shall file an affidavit of service.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party seeking an expanded schedule because of case complexity must notify the Court Administrator within 10 days after entry of the Civil Case Management Order to request a scheduling conference.

If any party determines that the complexity of the case will require an expanded schedule, that party shall notify the Court Administrator within 10 days of the entry of the Civil Case Management Order to request a scheduling conference.

CRITICALCivil cases

The arbitration board's award must be filed with the Prothonotary within 10 days after the hearing or its last adjournment.

The arbitration board’s award shall be filed with the Prothonotary within 10 days after the day of the hearing or the last adjournment thereof.

CRITICAL

The complaint should be submitted as soon as possible but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the alleged violation.

The complaint should be submitted as soon as possible but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the alleged violation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The office must receive the application at least five days before representation at a hearing.

4. Application must be received by this office at least five (5) days prior to representation at hearing.

CRITICALCriminal cases

If counsel is retained after arraignment, the written appearance must be filed as soon as possible.

A written appearance shall be filed as soon as possible if employment follows arraignment.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party may file exceptions to a bill of costs within 10 days after service; failure to do so waives all objections.

The party upon whom a bill of costs has been served may, within ten (10) days after such service, file exceptions thereto, and the issue shall be determined by the court. Failure to file exceptions within ten (10) days shall be deemed a waiver of all objections.

CRITICAL

The President Judge will meet with the complainant within 15 calendar days after receiving the appeal to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the President Judge will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.

CRITICALCivil cases

A bonded personal representative selling real estate without a court order must present a petition before the purchaser pays the sale proceeds.

(a) Form of Petition. In a sale of real estate, whether public or private, by a personal representative acting without benefit of an order of Court, directing or authorizing such sale, but who was required to give bond, the personal representative shall present a petition to the Court before the proceeds of the sale are paid by the purchaser setting forth:

CRITICALCivil cases

unless objections are filed with twenty (20) days after confirmation

unless objections are filed with twenty (20) days after confirmation

CRITICALCriminal cases

Failing to file discovery or pretrial-relief motions within the prescribed time limits is considered a waiver of the right to file them.

6. If I fail to file any motions for discovery or pre-trial relief within the prescribed time limits, it shall be considered a waiver of my right to file such motions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Adoption petitions must be filed with the Clerk 45 days before the scheduled hearing.

All adoption petitions shall be filed with the Clerk forty-five (45) days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must file the compliance affidavit and required account documentation within 60 days from the date of the final Order.

Within sixty (60) days from the date of this final Order, counsel shall file with the office of Civil Administration an Affidavit from counsel certifying compliance with this order. Counsel shall attach to the Affidavit a copy of the Certificate of Deposit and/or bank account containing the required restrictions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Exceptions to an appraisal must be filed with the Clerk within 20 days after confirmation.

Exceptions to an appraisal shall be filed with the Clerk within twenty (20) days after confirmation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Discovery must be concluded within 14 days after the stated arraignment date.

2. Any discovery must be concluded fourteen (14) days after the stated arraignment date.

CRITICALCivil cases

A written objection must be docketed before the rule-return date or within 30 days after publication to avoid dismissal with prejudice for failure to prosecute.

If no written objection is docketed prior to the date set for the rule returnable or within thirty (30) days after publication as set forth in (3) above, an order shall be entered by the Court dismissing the matter with prejudice for failure to prosecute under the provisions of this rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

The written notice must advise parties that the report will be presented for confirmation unless exceptions are filed within 20 days after the report is filed.

Said notice shall inform all parties that unless exceptions are filed within twenty (20) days from the date of the filing of the report, it will be presented to the Court for confirmation.

CRITICALCivil cases

A fee waiver or reduction request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled seminar.

Any request for waiver or reduction of the fee shall be filed with the Court Hearing Officer and shall be accompanied by a verified affidavit of indigency or other proof of economic hardship in accordance with Pa. R.C.P. No. 240, at least five days prior to the scheduled seminar.

CRITICALCivil cases

Accounts presented to the Court by Executors, Administrators, Guardians, or Trustees must be filed by the Friday before the first Monday of January, April, July, and October.

All Accounts presented to the Court of Executors, Administrators, Guardians, or Trustees shall be filed with the Clerk on or before the Friday preceding the first Monday of the months of January, April, July, and October of each year.

CRITICAL

Within 15 calendar days after receiving the complaint, the ADA Coordinator or designee must investigate it and meet with the complainant in person or by telephone to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator or designated individual will investigate the complaint, including, meeting with the individual seeking an accommodation, either in person or via telephone, to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant must file a written Request for a Bill of Particulars within seven days after the stated arraignment date.

3. I must file a Request for a Bill of Particulars in writing within seven (7) days after the stated arraignment date.

CRITICALCivil cases

An appeal must be filed within 30 days from the Board’s notification date.

An appeal from the decision of the Board shall be filed within thirty (30) days from the date of notification by the Board.

CRITICALCivil cases

Other parties must provide the appellant with a counter-appraisal within 90 days after receiving the appellant’s appraisal.

The other parties shall then have ninety (90) days from the receipt of the appellant's appraisal to provide the appellant with a counter-appraisal.

CRITICALCivil cases

The appraisers must file the appraisal with the Clerk within 30 days of appointment.

After appointment, the appraiser shall file with the Clerk their appraisal within thirty (30) days of appointment.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must file the compliance affidavit and submit proof of deposit within 60 days after entry of the final order.

(h) Proof of Deposit and Compliance with Court Order. Within sixty (60) days of the entry of a final order, counsel shall file an affidavit with the Prothonotary certifying compliance with the court order, and shall submit proof of deposit in the form of a photocopy of the restricted certificate of deposit or bankbook. The affidavit shall be substantially in the form set forth hereunder.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant entering a guilty or no-contest plea as part of a plea bargain must do so no later than the date set for criminal calendar call.

8. If I want to enter a guilty or no contest plea in this case as a result of a plea bargain, I must do so no later than the date set for criminal calendar call.

CRITICALCivil cases

Appraisers must file an appraisal of the claimed property with the Clerk within 30 days after appointment.

The appraisers shall, within thirty (30) days after their appointment, file with the Clerk an appraisal of the property claimed.

CRITICAL

The ADA Coordinator or designee must respond in writing within 15 calendar days after the meeting and provide an accessible format where appropriate.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the meeting, the ADA Coordinator or designated individual will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must file the compliance affidavit and submit proof of deposit within 60 days after entry of the final order.

(d) Proof of Deposit and Compliance with Court Order. Within sixty (60) days of the entry of a final order, counsel shall file an affidavit with the Prothonotary substantially in the form set forth hereunder, certifying compliance with the court order and shall submit proof of deposit in the form of a photocopy of the restricted certificate of deposit or bankbook. The affidavit shall be substantially in the form set forth hereunder.

CRITICALCivil cases

A beneficiary objecting to the proposed settlement or distribution must submit written objections to the listed Prothonotary by the date specified in the notice.

If you object to the proposed settlement and/or proposed distribution, you must submit your written objections on Response to the Petition on or before _________, ______, to the following address: Prothonotary Warren County Courthouse 204 Fourth Avenue Warren, PA 16365 Prothonotary Forest County Courthouse Tionesta, PA 16353

CRITICALCivil cases

A person unable to afford a lawyer must apply for counsel at the Public Defender’s Office within 48 hours.

If you do not have the money to hire a lawyer, you must apply within 48 hours at the Office of the Public Defender of Forest/Warren County at the Courthouse in Warren or Tionesta.

CRITICALCivil cases

The appellant must provide its appraisal to the Board and other parties entitled to notice within 60 days after filing the appeal.

The appellant shall provide the Board and the other parties entitled to notice of the appeal with a copy of appellant's appraisal within sixty (60) days of filing the appeal.

CRITICALCivil cases

A required bond must be presented within the time set by the Court; otherwise, the Clerk shall order judgment of non pros upon an appellee’s praecipe.

If the bond is not presented within the time indicated by the Court, the Clerk, upon praecipe of the appellee(s), shall order a judgment of non pros.

CRITICAL

If the response does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant may appeal to the President Judge within 15 calendar days after receiving the response.

If the response to the complaint does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant may appeal the decision within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the response to the President Judge of the 37th Judicial District of Pennsylvania.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The written appearance must be filed no later than arraignment.

Counsel representing a defendant shall file a written appearance in all cases in the office of the Clerk of Courts at or before the time of arraignment.

CRITICALCriminal cases

When a written waiver is filed before the scheduled arraignment, that scheduled date is treated as the arraignment date for calculating specified pretrial filing limits and scheduling later dates.

If a written Waiver of Arraignment is filed prior to the scheduled date of arraignment, the scheduled date of arraignment shall be deemed the day of arraignment for the purpose of computing time limitations for filing all pre-trial motions and requests pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P.567, 568, 572, 573, 578 and 579 and for the purpose of scheduling further dates pursuant to these rules.

CRITICALCivil cases

The official must file the report within 90 days of appointment, subject to a court-approved extension on the official’s application for good cause in a complicated case; failure to meet the applicable deadline may result in vacatur and denial of compensation or reimbursement.

(c) The official shall file the report within ninety (90) days of the appointment provided that an extension will be permitted by the Court upon application of the official for good cause shown in complicated cases. Should the official fail to file the report within the time limits or extensions herein, the appointment may be vacated and compensation and reimbursement for services rendered or expenses incurred may be denied.

CRITICALCivil cases

The District Justice must cause the complaint to be filed with the Clerk of Courts as soon as practicable.

The District Justice shall cause the complaint to be filed with the Clerk of Courts as soon as practicable.

CRITICALCriminal cases

All pretrial motions for relief must be filed on or before 30 days from the stated arraignment date.

5. I must file all pre-trial motions for relief on or before thirty (30) days from the stated arraignment date.

CRITICALCivil cases

A respondent must answer within the time set by the Court, or, if none is stated, within 20 days after service of the petition or rule to show cause.

Each respondent shall file an answer to a petition or rule to show cause within the time prescribed by the Court or if not stated within twenty (20) days after the petition or rule is served on such respondent.

WARNINGCivil cases

If no appeal is filed within 30 days, judgment may be taken on the arbitration award.

(c) If no appeal is filed within 30 days, judgment may be taken on the award.

WARNINGCivil cases

An eligible taxing authority or property owner may become a party by filing an entry of appearance within 120 days after the appeal is filed.

Any taxing authority or property owner entitled to be notified of an appeal may become a party to the proceedings by filing an entry of appearance within one hundred-twenty (120) days of the filing of the appeal.

WARNINGCivil cases

A party may plead additional material by answer or new matter within 30 days of becoming a party.

However, any party may plead additional material by way of answer or new matter, as appropriate, within (30) days of becoming a party.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Prothonotary refers a civil action to arbitration no fewer than 20 days after filing a praecipe averring that the action is ready for arbitration.

A civil action will be referred to arbitration by the Prothonotary no fewer than 20 days from the filing of an appropriate praecipe with the Prothonotary which avers the civil action is ready for arbitration.

WARNINGCivil cases

Accounts of Executors, Administrators, Guardians, and Trustees are presented for confirmation at 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November each year.

Upon the first Wednesday of February, May, August, and November of each year, accounts of Executors, Administrators, Guardians, and Trustees shall be presented to the Court at 9:00 a.m. for confirmation.