Petition For Expedited Relief - Custody printable pdf download

PETITION FOR EXPEDITED RELIEF - CUSTODY

INSTRUCTION SHEET

These instructions are meant to give you

general information and not legal advice.

A Petition for Expedited Relief can be filed in situations that are not emergencies but when you

are in need of immediate review by the court. Expedited Relief provides a quick decision on a

small part of the case. You may want to file for Expedited Relief if: you are being denied access

to the child(ren), there is a time sensitive situation such as medical or educational needs, or the

other party has changed the custody arrangement and you are not in agreement.

1. Complete the Domestic Relations Information Sheet with as much information as you have.

2. Complete, date and sign the Petition for Expedited Relief. (detailed instructions included)

3. The filing fee for a Petition for Expedited Relief is $42.68. If you cannot pay the filing fee

you may ask to be excused from paying the fee by filing a Petition to Proceed In Forma

Pauperis (IFP). If you receive public assistance or SSI, bring your public assistance photo ID or

proof that you receive SSI.

4. File the completed Petition for Expedited Relief and Information Sheet with the filing fee by

hand-delivering them in person to:

Clerk of Court

1501 Arch Street – 11

Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19102

NOTE: These petitions can only be filed on a Monday unless Monday is a court holiday then

they can be filed on Tuesday. The case will be listed two Fridays later.

To file a Petition for Expedited Relief you must already have one of the following petitions

pending: Complaint for Custody, Petition to Modify or a Petition for Contempt. If you do not

have one of these petitions pending you must file one of them at the same time that you file the

Petition for Expedited Relief. There may be additional fees for these filings.

5. You may pay the filing fee by money order or credit card. Make the money order payable

to “OFFICE OF JUDICIAL RECORDS.” Personal checks will not be accepted.

6. When you file the petition in person at the office of the Clerk of Family Court, you must

file the original AND two (2) copies. A copy machine is available at the Clerk’s office at a

cost of $.25 per page.

Sponsored by the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association

February, 2015

Petition For Expedited Relief - Custody