Philadelphia Cnty. C.P. CP-Family Division-Domestic Relations 8

counsel of record and to any unrepresented parties. Such copies shall be accompanied by a

proposed Decree and notice inf orming the parties that either side may file exceptions to the

Report within twenty (20) days of the date said Report is filed.

(c) Procedure on Economic Issues.

(1) No hearing shall be scheduled before the Permanent Master to dispose of economic issues in

a case unless one of the following has occurred:

(i) a Master’s Report has been filed recommending a divorce under Section 3301(a), 3301(b)

or 33 01(d)(1)(ii) in a case where economic issues have been raised by a pleading. If no

exceptions have been filed to said Report, or after exceptions thereto have been dismissed,

the Court shall enter an Order in the following form:

ORDER APPROVING GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE

AND NOW, this ___ day of __________, 20 ___, pursuant to the Report of the

Master in Divorce, it is hereby Ordered that a Decree in Divorce shall hereafter

be entered following resolution by the Permanent Master of all claims of record

relating to equitable distribution of marital property, alimony, counsel fees, costs

and expenses, and related claims under Divorce Code of 1980, as amended;

(ii) A Praecipe to Transmit Record has been filed pursuant to Section 33 01(c) or Section

3301(d)(i) in a case where economic claims have been raised of record. Said Praecipe to

Transmit Record and the N otice of Intent that sha ll precede it shall be accompanied by all

other documents required by Rule 1920.42. After any objection to said Praecipe has been

dismissed, the Court shall enter an Order in the following form:

ORDER APPROVING GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE

AND NOW, thi s ___ day of __________, 20 ___, upon receipt of the record

setting forth a cause of action under Section 3301(c) or Section 3301(d), a Decree

in Divorce shall hereafter be entered follow ing resolution by the Master of all

claims of rec ord relating to equitable distribution of marital property, alimony,

counsel fees, costs and expenses, and related claims under Divorce Code of 1980,

as amended;

(iii) A bifurcated Decree In Divorce has been entered by the Court.

(2) A Master’s hearing may only be scheduled on ec onomic issues after one of the parties or

their attorney of record has certified that:

(i) an Order Approving Grounds for Divorce or a Bifurcated Decree has been entered;

(ii) all discovery has been completed; and

(iii) there are no motions or petitions outstanding in the case.

(3) All such Certifications for Hearing before the Master in Divorce shall be filed in the Office

of the Clerk of the Family Court following payment of the required fee; provided, however, that

no additional fee shall be required where fault grounds have been established pursuant to a

hearing before the Permanent Master. At the time of filing the Certification, the attorney for the

moving party shall also file with the Clerk of Family Court a verifi cation that a copy of said

Certification was served on the opposing attorney of record, or on the opposing party, if

unrepresented.

(4) Within ten (10) days following the date of filing a Certification for Hearing before the

Permanent Master, opposing counsel or the unrepresented party may file objections to the same

in the Office of the Clerk of the Family Court. Any such objections shall state with particularity

the basis for denying the representations in the Certification. All objections to Certifications for

Hearing before the Permanent Master will be promptly listed for hearing before the Family Court

Motions Judge.

(5) If no objections are filed to the Certification for He aring pursuant to subsection (4 ) hereof,

the case shall be scheduled for a hea ring before a Permanent Master. Thirty (30) days advance

notice of any such hearing shall be given to counsel and any unrepresented party, unless

otherwise ordered by the Court.

(6) At least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled hearing before the Permanent Master, each party

shall file a mandatory pre-trial memorandum in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1920.33(b). The pre-trial memorandum shall be filed with the Clerk of Family Court and a copy of the same shall be

mailed or personally served on the same day to opposing counsel or any unrepresented party.

(7) The Master shall take non-record testimony from the parties only, unless, at the sole

discretion of the Master, additional non-record testimony is required. The parties may offer into

evidence, without fo rmal proof, documentary evidence in the nature of appraisals, pension

evaluations, statements from financial institutions, official or certified records of any

governmental or judicial body, and other reports, bills and records relating to real estate, personal

property, counsel fees and costs, provided that true and correct copies of all such evidence is

provided to all parties or counsel of record at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing.

(8) Within thirty (30) days after conclusion of the final hear ing on economic issues, the

Permanent Master shall file with the Court a report containing findings of fact and conclusions

of law along with a recommendation and proposed Decree and/or Order disposing of all issues

of record. Copies of said findings and order shall be mailed to the counsel of record, or

unrepresented parties, together with a notice explaining the procedure for requesting a trial de

novo by the Court.