Family Law · Child Custody
Allegheny County Child Custody Conference: What Happens Before a Judge Sees Your Case
Many parents assume that the first step in a custody dispute will be a hearing before a judge. In Allegheny County, that is rarely how the process begins. Most custody cases start with a custody conference before a conciliator or hearing officer who attempts to help the parties reach an agreement before the case ever reaches the courtroom.
Understanding how the custody conference process works is important because the outcome of that meeting often shapes the direction of the entire case. Many disputes are resolved at the conference stage, and even when they are not, the issues identified there frequently determine what happens next.
At Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A., we represent parents in custody matters throughout Allegheny County. A clear understanding of the local custody process — including the conference stage — can make a significant difference in how a case is prepared and resolved.
Most Allegheny County custody disputes begin with a conference rather than a courtroom hearing.
If you have received notice of a custody conference or are preparing to file for custody, call 412-351-4422 or schedule a consultation before the conference date arrives.
How Custody Cases Start in Allegheny County
A custody case usually begins when one parent files a custody complaint in the Allegheny County Family Division. After the complaint is filed and served, the court schedules the case for an initial custody conference.
This conference is not a trial and typically does not involve testimony under oath. Instead, it is an opportunity for the parties and the court-appointed conciliator to discuss the issues and explore whether an agreement can be reached without further litigation.
The Role of the Custody Conciliator
The custody conference is conducted by a conciliator or hearing officer rather than a judge. The conciliator’s role is to review the dispute, speak with the parties, and help the parents explore possible custody arrangements.
The conciliator does not decide the case in the same way a judge would. The goal is to narrow the issues and encourage a workable agreement between the parents. If an agreement is reached, the terms are placed on the record and incorporated into a court order. If no agreement is reached, the conciliator typically issues a recommendation that goes to the assigned judge, who may adopt it, modify it, or schedule further proceedings.
What Happens During the Conference
At the conference, both parents meet with the conciliator to discuss the custody issues. Attorneys may appear with their clients, and having counsel present at this stage is common. The discussion may cover parenting schedules, school arrangements, transportation logistics, communication between the parents, and any safety concerns affecting the child.
The conciliator may meet with the parties together or separately. In many cases, the conference functions somewhat like mediation, with the goal of finding common ground and reaching a parenting arrangement that both parties can accept.
Possible Outcomes of the Conference
Several different outcomes are possible at a custody conference. In many cases, the parties reach a partial or complete agreement regarding custody and parenting time. If that happens, the agreement is submitted to the court and entered as a consent order binding on both parties.
If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the conciliator issues a recommendation to the court addressing temporary custody arrangements and identifying the unresolved issues. That recommendation typically carries significant weight with the assigned judge. The case may then proceed to a formal hearing before the court.
What Happens If a Party Does Not Appear
Attendance at a scheduled custody conference is not optional. If one parent fails to appear without a valid reason, the court may proceed in that parent’s absence and enter a temporary custody order based on the information provided by the parent who did appear. A pattern of failing to participate in the court process can reflect negatively on a parent’s position throughout the litigation.
Preparing for a Custody Conference
Although the conference is less formal than a courtroom hearing, preparation still matters. Parents should arrive ready to discuss realistic custody schedules, school logistics, transportation arrangements, and any concerns affecting the child’s well-being.
Demonstrating a willingness to cooperate and focus on the child’s needs can make a meaningful difference in how the case progresses. The conciliator is evaluating not just the proposed schedule but how each parent approaches the process. A parent who arrives prepared, reasonable, and focused on the child tends to fare better than one who comes in with an adversarial posture before any formal proceeding has begun.
When the Case Goes to a Judge
If the custody dispute cannot be resolved through the conference process, the case proceeds to a formal hearing before a judge. At that stage, the court evaluates the case using the sixteen statutory custody factors set out in Pennsylvania custody law. The conference stage often shapes the issues that will ultimately be presented to the court, which is why early preparation matters.
If you are involved in a custody dispute in Allegheny County, understanding the conference process and what courts look for can help you approach the case with a clearer strategy from the start.
This article relates to our work in Child Custody and Support and Family Law and Divorce. For the statutory factors courts consider, see child custody factors Pennsylvania courts consider. For how support is calculated, see how child support is calculated in Pennsylvania.