Rule 1558.Preliminary Conference. Appointment of Hearing Officer.
Last amended August 8, 2023 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1558 directs the court, after ordering partition, to hold a preliminary conference to explore agreement on a plan of partition or sale and to narrow the issues, and provides for appointing a hearing officer.
Full Text of Rule 1558
(a) The court, after the entry of the order directing partition, shall direct the parties or their attorneys to appear for a preliminary conference to consider
(1) whether the parties can agree upon a plan of partition or sale;
(2) the simplification of the issues;
(3) whether any issues or matters relating to the carrying out of the order of partition shall be referred to a hearing officer; and
(4) such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the action.
(b) The court, at any time after the preliminary conference, may appoint a hearing officer to hear the entire matter or to conduct any sale, or to act upon only specified issues or matters relating to the carrying out of the order of partition.
End
Plain-English Summary
After the order directing partition, the court tries to move the parties toward a workable division. This rule has the court convene a preliminary conference to see whether the parties can agree on a plan of partition or sale, simplify the issues, and address related matters. Where needed, the court appoints a hearing officer to carry the second stage forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the preliminary conference for?
To explore whether the parties can agree on a plan of partition or sale and to simplify the issues.
Official Note
Official Note: adopted April 26, 1955, effective November 1, 1955.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1558 amended August 8, 2023, effective October 1, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 5108. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (302499).
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: partition preliminary conferenceappoint hearing officerplan of partition