(a) Claims for custody of children shall be heard by the court. The practice and procedure with respect to these claims shall follow the practice and proce- dure governing custody.
Rule 1920.32.Joinder of Related Claims. Custody. Hearing by Court.
Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1920.32 has a custody claim joined with a divorce heard by the court under the custody rules rather than by a hearing officer.
Full Text of Rule 1920.32
(b) The failure to claim custody of minor children prior to the entry of a final decree shall not bar subsequent claims for custody.
Plain-English Summary
Custody is too important to be decided like a financial claim. When a custody claim is joined with a divorce, this rule has it heard by the court itself, following the custody chapter's practice and procedure, rather than referred to a hearing officer as economic claims may be. The child's custody gets a judge's direct attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a custody claim in a divorce heard by a judge?
Yes. A joined custody claim is heard by the court under the custody rules.
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: custody in divorcecustody claim hearing divorcedivorce custody joinder