{"id":3238,"date":"2025-10-27T18:27:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T18:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/?page_id=3238"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:32:54","slug":"custodial-conciliation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/custodial-conciliation\/","title":{"rendered":"Custodial Conciliation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"headerBox\">\n\t<h1 class=\"index2\" style=\"text-align:left\">Custody Conciliation<\/h1>\n\t<br>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"departmentContainer\">\n\t<div class=\"departmentBoxContent index3\">\n\t\t<h2> Family Court <\/h2>\n\n\t\t<hr class=\"blueLine\" style=\"float:left\">\n\n\t\t<br>\n\t\t<br>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"departmentLinksDesktop\" style=\"clear:both\">\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/court-information\/custodial-conciliation\/\"> Custodial Conciliation<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/divorce\/\"> Divorce<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/domestic-relations\/\"> Domestic Relations<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/name-change\/\"> Name Change<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/departments\/clerk-of-records\/clerk-of-orphans-court\/\"> Orphan&#8217;s Court<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/protection-from-abuse\/\"> Protection From Abuse<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\n\t\t<div class=\"departmentLinksMobile\" style=\"clear:both\">\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/court-information\/custodial-conciliation\/\"> Custodial Conciliation<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/divorce\/\"> Divorce<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/domestic-relations\/\"> Domestic Relations<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/name-change\/\"> Name Change<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/departments\/clerk-of-records\/clerk-of-orphans-court\/\"> Orphan&#8217;s Court<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/protection-from-abuse\/\"> Protection From Abuse<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div> \n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"twoColumn\">\n\n\n<div>\n\t<h3 id=\"top_custodyconciliation\">About<\/h3>\n\t<hr class=\"blueLineTitle\">\n\t<br>\n\t<p>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?<\/p>\n\t<p>Even though their relationships ends, both parents have the responsibility to continue to care for and make decisions that affect their children. The way in which the parents choose to make these decisions will directly affect their children\u2019s behavior, personality and feelings about himself or herself. The couple\u2019s relationship may end, but the two people will continue being parents.<\/p>\n\t<p>The goal of the Office of Custody Conciliation is to assist parents in working out the terms of their shared custody arrangement in a nonthreatening, nonadversarial manner though mediation. Mediation is negotiation and communication with the help of a neutral third party.<\/p>\n\t<p>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 that 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.<\/p>\n\t<p>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.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"mainContent hideMobile\">\n\t\t<div class=\"navyBox\" style=\"padding:5%; text-align:center;\">\n\t\t\t<h4>Our Custody Conciliation Instruction booklet is available online. It will assist you in becoming familiar with the forms and prepare you to participate in the Custody Conciliation process.<\/h4>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<hr class=\"ctaLine\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"pdfButton\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyConciliationInstructionBooklet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Custody Conciliation Instruction Booklet<\/a><\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"mainContent hideDesktop\">\n\t\t<button class=\"pdfButton\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyConciliationInstructionBooklet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Custody Conciliation Instruction Booklet<\/a><\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div>\n\t\t<details>\n\t\t<summary>Custody Forms<\/summary>\n\t\t<br>\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-regular\">\n\t\t\t<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\" style=\"width:80%\">\n\t\t\t\t<thead>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<th style=\"width:15%\">Type<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Name<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<th style=\"width:40%\">View<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t<\/thead>\n\t\t\t\t<tbody>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Affidavit of Accountabilty- FULL<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AffidavitAccountabilty.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Affidavit of Service<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AffidavitService.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Biographical Info Form<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BiographicalInfoForm.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Certificate of Service<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CertificateService.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Complaint for Custody<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ComplaintCustody.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Counter Affidavit Regarding Relocation<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CounterAffidavitRegardingRelocation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Criminal Record\/Abuse History Verification<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CriminalRecordAbuseHistoryVerification.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Custody Conciliation Instruction Booklet<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyConciliationInstructionBooklet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Custody Contempt Procedures<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyContemptProcedures.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Custody Fee<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyFee.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Custody Modification Form and Instructions<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyModificationFormInstructions.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Entry of Appearance as a Self Represented Party<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EntryAppearanceSelfRepresentedParty.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>In Forma Pauperis &#8211; Filing Fee Waiver<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/InFormaPauperisFilingFeeWaiver.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Notification of Obligations Prior to Relocation<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NotificationObligationsPriorRelocation.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Parenting Plan<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ParentingPlan.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Petition for Special Relief<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PetitionSpecialRelief.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Pre-Trial Narrative Statement<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PreTrialNarrativeStatement.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Proposed Order of Court<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ProposedOrderCourt.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Relocation Notice<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/RelocationNotice.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Relocation Requirements<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/RelocationRequirements.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><i class=\"fa-solid fa-file fa-2xl\" style=\"color: #8abbd3;\"><\/i><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>Request For Hearing<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<td><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/RequestForHearing.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Open PDF<\/a><\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t<div class=\"quickLinks\">\n\t\t<h3>Frequently Accessed Custody Forms<\/h3>\n\t\t<hr class=\"blueLineTitle\">\n\t\t<br>\n\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ComplaintCustody.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Complaint for Custody<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyFee.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Custody Fee<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CustodyModificationFormInstructions.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Custody Modification Form and Instructions<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PetitionSpecialRelief.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Petition for Special Relief<\/a><\/h4>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mainContent\">\n<br>\n<hr>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/family-court\/custodial-conciliation\/#\">Back To Top<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"contactFooter\">\n<h2>Contact<\/h2>\n<hr class=\"blueLine\">\n\n\n<div class=\"twoColumnEven\">\n\n\n<div>\n<h3> Lawyer Referral and Information Service <\/h3>\n<p>PO Box 1792<br>\nErie, PA 16507 <\/p>\n<p><strong> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-phone\"><\/i> <a href=\"tel:8144594411\"> 814-459-4411<\/a><br><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div>\n<h3> Northwestern Legal Services <\/h3>\n<p>1001 State Street<br>\nSuite 700<br>\nErie, PA 16501<\/p>\n<p><strong> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-phone\"><\/i> <a href=\"tel:8144526949\"> 814-452-6949<\/a><br><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Custody Conciliation Family Court Custodial Conciliation Divorce Domestic Relations Name Change Orphan&#8217;s Court Protection From Abuse Custodial Conciliation Divorce Domestic Relations Name Change Orphan&#8217;s Court Protection From Abuse About 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 [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/courts\/family-court\/custodial-conciliation\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Custodial Conciliation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":101,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/no-title.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3238","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3238\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courts.eriecountypa.gov\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}