Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee

The Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee advises the Supreme Court on matters related to the procedural rules governing actions for divorce, support, custody, paternity and protection from abuse.

The primary goal of the committee is to simplify family law practice by recommending new rules or amendments to existing procedural rules relating to family law matters. The committee reviews legislation and monitors court decisions to ensure that the rules conform to developments in the law and to the realities of family law practice. The committee strives to promote statewide uniformity of practice, to streamline procedures and to encourage the prompt disposition of family law matters.

Committee members and staff speak at conferences and seminars to inform lawyers, court personnel and others of recent and proposed changes in procedural rules related to family law matters. The committee strives to maintain open channels of communication with those who work with or are affected by the rules it proposes, including judges, lawyers, court administrators, domestic relations section personnel, the Department of Public Welfare and the public.

The committee originated in 1984 as a section of the Civil Procedural Rules Committee and became a separate committee in 1987. In 1997, the committee's title was changed to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee.

Committee appointments are typically for six-year terms. In special circumstances the Supreme Court may extend or reduce the term of an appointment. Committee members are appointed by the Supreme Court and are knowledgeable about the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure governing domestic relations matters and are experienced in family law practice in Pennsylvania. The Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee has nine voting members and one ex-officio member who is identified by, and is a member of, the Pennsylvania Association of Court Management.

Committee Members

Carolyn Moran Zack, Esq. Chair
Kenneth J. Horoho, Jr., Esq., Vice Chair
Joel B. Bernbaum, Esq.
Richard P. Focht, Esq., ex-officio
Honorable Kathryn M. Hens-Greco
Joseph P. Martone, Esq.
Honorable Margaret Theresa Murphy
Jenna A. Neidig, Esq.
Ned Hark, Esq.
Honorable Kim D. Eaton
Cynthia K. Stoltz, Esq.

Staff Members

Daniel A. Durst, Esq., Chief Counsel
Serena C. Nedrow, Assistant

Proposed Rules for Public Comment


Approved Rules

Approved Rules
Description Effective Date
Rule 1920.76 is amended May 02, 2023
Rules 1915.11-2 and 1915.21 are amended April 01, 2023

Prior Proposed Rules

Prior Proposed Rules
Proposal Deadline
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.A.P. 1517, 1732, 1781, 3307, and 3309; Adoption of Pa.R.Civ.P. 243 and 1930.10, Rescission of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1920.46, and Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 216, 237.1, 1037, 1303, 1901.6, 1910.11, 1910.12, 1915.4-2, 1915.4-3, 1915.17, 1920.42, 1920.51, 1930.6, 1956, and 2955; Adoption of Pa.R.O.C.P. 2.12, 3.16, and 15.23, and Amendment of Pa.R.O.C.P. 14.1, 15.7, 15.8, 15.9, 15.10, and 15.13; Amendment of Pa.R.Crim.P. 150, 430, 431, and 515; Adoption of Pa.R.J.C.P. 1206, and Amendment of Pa.R.J.C.P. 1122, 1242, and 1406; and Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209, 304, 308, 403, 405, 410, 503, 506, 515, and 516. November 16, 2023
Proposed Adoption of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.11-3 and Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.11-1 and 1915.23
September 13, 2023
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.29 August 30, 2023
Proposed Adoption of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.3-3 and 1915.3-4 and Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.3-2, 1915.4-4, 1915.7, 1915.10, 1915.15, and 1915.25. July 05, 2023
Recommendation 188 - Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1910.16-6(c)
February 15, 2023
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1930.3
January 04, 2022
Rule Proposal 181 Republication - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.11-2
November 05, 2021
Proposed New Pa.R.J.A. 104-115; Rescission of Pa.R.Civ.P. 101-104, 106-108, & 127-153; Amendment of Pa.R.Civ.P. 126, Pa.R.O.C.P. 1.2, Pa.R.Crim.P. 101, Pa.R.J.C.P. 101 & 1101, Pa.R.A.P. 107 & 903, Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 204, Pa.R.E. 101
November 01, 2021
Rule Proposal 182 Republication - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1930.2
August 06, 2021
Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.11
May 14, 2021
Rule proposal 179 - Proposed rescission of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1920.46 and adoption of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1932
May 14, 2021
Rule Proposal 183
May 14, 2021
Rule Proposal 184 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1930.4
May 14, 2021
Proposed amendments to Pa.R.C.P. No. 1910.16-2, 1910.16-3, 1910.16-3.1, and 1910.16-6 March 19, 2021
Rule Proposal 181 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.11-2
February 12, 2021
Rule Proposal 182 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1930.2
February 12, 2021
Rule Proposal 154 4th Publication Pkg - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1915.3-2, 1915.4-4, 1915.7 and 1915.10
October 02, 2020
Rule Proposal 178 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.11
October 02, 2020
Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1920.17
February 07, 2020
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.J.A. Nos. 101 and 103, Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 51 and 129, Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. No. 201, and Pa.O.C. Rule 1.1
November 15, 2019
Recommendation 154 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1915.3-2 and 1915.4-4
October 04, 2019
Rule Proposal 172 - Proposed amendments of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1915.3, 1915.5, and 1915.15
October 04, 2019
Recommendation 168 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1915.10 and 1930.1
August 30, 2019
Custody of Exhibits Workgroup PROPOSAL
June 05, 2019
Recommendation 169
November 09, 2018
Recommendation 174 November 09, 2018
Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1910.16-4 and 1910.16-6
November 02, 2018
Proposed amendments of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.7 and 1915.10
June 08, 2018
Proposed amendments of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1920.14, 1920.42, 1920.46, 1920.51, 1920.53, 1920.72, 1920.73, and 1920.74
June 08, 2018
Proposed amendments of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1920.14, 1920.42, 1920.46, 1920.51, 1920.72 and 1920.73
March 02, 2018
Recommendation 167
November 09, 2017
Recommendation 166
September 12, 2017
Recommendation 160 August 11, 2017
Recommendation 154 - Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1915.3 and 1915.3-2 August 07, 2017
Recommendation 155 June 02, 2017
Recommendation 145 February 24, 2017
Recommendation 155 February 24, 2017
Recommendation 158 February 24, 2017
Recommendation 159 February 24, 2017
Recommendation 163 February 24, 2017
Proposed amendment of Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 1915.3 and 1915.3-2 November 01, 2016
Recommendation 152 August 12, 2016
Recommendation 143 February 26, 2016
Recommendation 144 February 26, 2016
Recommendation 146 February 25, 2016
Recommendation 145 November 13, 2015
Proposed Amendment of Pa.R.Crim.P. 105, Pa.Rs.J.C.P. 121 & 1121, and Pa.R.C.P. No. 239 with Rescission of Pa.R.C.P. No. 239.8
October 01, 2015
Proposed Recommendation No. 140 - Adoption of Chapter 1950 May 18, 2015
Proposed Recommendation No. 142 - Amendment of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1915.4-4 May 18, 2015
Recommendation 139 November 07, 2014
Recommendation 136 October 03, 2014
Republished Recommendation 128 October 03, 2014
Recommendation 135 August 08, 2014
Recommendation 137 August 08, 2014
Recommendation 126 August 01, 2014
Recommendation 128 February 28, 2014
Recommendation 129 February 28, 2014
Recommendation 130 February 28, 2014
Recommendation 126 February 14, 2014
Recommendation 127 February 14, 2014
Recommendation 123 (Republication) October 25, 2013
Recommendation 115 (republication)
February 01, 2013
Recommendation 120 (republication)
February 01, 2013
Recommendation 121
February 01, 2013
Recommendation 122
February 01, 2013
Recommendation 117
August 15, 2012
Recommendation 118
August 10, 2012
Recommendation 119
August 10, 2012
Recommendation 120
August 10, 2012
Recommendation 115
August 03, 2012
Recommendation 116 August 03, 2012
Recommendation 112
August 29, 2011
Recommendation 113
August 29, 2011
Recommendation 109
May 23, 2011
Recommendation 110
May 23, 2011
Recommendation 111
May 23, 2011
Recommendation 104
February 11, 2011
Recommendation 105
February 11, 2011
Recommendation 106
February 11, 2011
Recommendation 107
February 11, 2011
Amendment to the Rules of Civil Procedure relating to domestic relations matters as set forth herein
October 24, 2010
Recommendation 91 (republication)
February 10, 2010
Recommendation 98
February 10, 2010
Recommendation 97
February 13, 2009
Recommendation 91
October 31, 2008
Recommendation 95
August 08, 2008
Recommendation 94
May 16, 2008