Jefferson County
Custody Information
A custody action is started with the filing of a custody complaint at the Office of the Prothonotary in the Jefferson County Courthouse. You may hire an attorney or you may contact Laurel Legal Services, Inc to file the complaint, in certain circumstances. A pre-hearing conference will be scheduled after the action is filed. At the pre-hearing conference the parties and their attorneys will attempt to reach a custody resolution. If an agreement is reached, then a stipulation will be drafted and signed by the judge. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, then a mediation conference will take place with the court appointed mediator. The mediator will attempt to help the parties reach a custody agreement. The agreement has to be based on the voluntary decisions of the parties, and not the mediator. If an agreement is reached, then a stipulation will be drafted and signed by the judge. If an agreement is not reached, the mediator will prepare recommendations to the court, and a hearing will be scheduled. Ninety-three percent of the custody cases in Jefferson County are resolved through a pre-hearing conference or mediation. Prior to a hearing, psychological evaluations will be ordered.