Custody Conciliation

Contact

The Office of Custody Conciliation
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street, Room 02
Erie, Pennsylvania 16501
Phone: 814-451-6234

Office Hours: Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 12:00 Noon and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
(Except Legal Holidays)


Custody Forms

Custody Brochure
Custody Petition Form
Custody Contempt Procedures
Relocation Notice
Parenting Plan
Counter Affidavit Regarding Relocation
Pre-Trial Narrative
Notification of Obligations Prior to Relocation
In Forma Pauperis


About The Office Of Custody Conciliation

The decision to live apart is a painful one for anyone, and it is most difficult when children are involved. They have no part in the decision of the parents to live apart. Yet, when parents do separate, it has a great impact on their lives. How can they still love both parents when they are no longer together as a family?

Even though their relationships ends, the mother and father have the responsibility to continue to care for and make decisions which affect their children. The way in which the parents choose to make these decisions will directly affect their children's behavior, personality, and feelings about himself or herself. The couple's relationship may end, but the two people will continue being parents.

The goal of the Office of Custody Conciliation is to assist parents in working out the terms of their shared custody arrangement in a non-threatening, non-adversarial manner though MEDIATION. Mediation is negotiation and communication with the help of a neutral third party.

The custody conciliation process consists of different levels of parental involvement. The purpose of the several steps in the custody process is to give parents every opportunity to work out an arrangement which they can be committed to. It is easier to be committed to a schedule that you have developed on your own and not one that is imposed on you by the Court.

The role of conciliators and the purpose of these conferences is not to assign blame for the breakup of your relationship or assess the worthiness of either one of you as parents but rather to help preserve the irreplaceable relationship your children are entitled to have with both parents.

Our Brochure is now available online, (click here for brochure) . It will assist you in becoming familiar with the forms and prepare you to participate in the Custody Conciliation process.

Our staff CANNOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. The following resources may be of assistance to you if you have a legal question:

LAWYER REFERRAL & INFORMATION SERVICE

PO Box 1792
Erie, Pennsylvania 16507
Phone: 814-459-4411

NORTHWESTERN LEGAL SERVICES

1201 G. Daniel Baldwin Building
Tenth and State Streets
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-452-6949