IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
IN RE: ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER )
2015-1 )
)
Family Law Rule 1915.19: )
Co-Parent Education Program )
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 27thday of April, 2015, this Administrative Order is intended to
replace/supersede the existing Court policy related to the Co-Parent Education Program.
All parties to a custody action (parents or other custodial resources), shall complete a program entitled “Co-Parent Education Program” hereinafter referred to as COPE and administrated through Family Divorce Services - Marilyn Davenport, ACSW, LSW (610-366-8868).
The moving party must register for COPE within thirty days of filing an applicable action. The responding party shall register for COPE within thirty days of service of the applicable pleading. Both parties, within sixty days of filing the applicable action, shall have completed COPE.
The moving party must serve upon the responding party with the applicable pleading, a copy of this rule and the attached registration form. Copies of this rule and registration form are available online at:
www.nccpa.org/civil/child-custody.
Payment of the fee is established by the court and is required for participation in COPE. Payment must be submitted with the registration form. Any request for waiver or reduction of the fee must be presented to Motions Court along with a verification in the form of the In Forma Pauperis Affidavit or other proof of financial hardship.
Any request for extension of time to complete COPE shall be made directly to the Northampton County Custody Conciliation Officer, Lisa Tresslar, Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington Street, Easton, Pennsylvania, 18042.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this rule as it relates to attending and completing the Co-Parent Education Program, may result in the applicable action being dismissed at the direction of the court.
A party who has previously completed the COPE Program, is excused from this rule providing the party files a copy of the Certificate of Completion within the time period set by this rule for completing COPE.
BY THE COURT:
_________________________________
STEPHEN G. BARATTA, P.J.