York Cnty. C.P. Local Rules of Orphans' Court Procedure Rule 7.7.1

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), in all petitions proceeding before the Orphans’

Court in which a responsive pleading is required, in order to obtain an Order from

the Court on a contested or uncontested matter, a Motion for Disposition shall be

filed. All such filed motions shall include a proposed scheduling order and a

proposed order granting relief requested.

(1) If, after notice has been provided, a respondent fails to file an answer to a

petition within the time allotted, the averments of fact set forth in the petition may

be deemed to have been admitted and the Court may enter a decree granting the

prayer of the petition.

(2) In any proceeding in which an answer to a petition is not filed, the petitioner

shall file an appropriate motion with the Orphans’ Court requesting resolution of

the petition after the passing of the return date or notice period, as applicable.

(3) Upon motion of the petitioner for resolution of the petition, the Court will

review the petition, and any responses thereto, to determine its adequacy and

will review the proposed prayer for relief to determine its appropriateness. The

Court may enter an appropriate order thereafter or it may cause a pre-hearing

conference or hearing to be scheduled.

(b) This Rule does not govern petitions filed in accordance with Chapter II.

Accounts, Objections and Distributions, Chapter V. Rules Governing Specific Types

of Petitions related to Rule 5.50 Settlement of Small Estates by Petition, Chapter

XIV. Guardianship of Incapacitated Persons, Chapter XV. Adoptions, and Petitions to

Terminate Parental Rights, provided that all statutory requirements are met.

CHAPTER IX

AUDITORS AND MASTERS/ HEARING OFFICERS

NOTE: State Rules in this Chapter refer to the statutory term, "Master," see, 20

Pa.C.S. § 751 et seq., which, in these Local Rules shall be referred to as "Hearing

Officer."