How to Petition the Court

Sometimes we run into a legal predicaments which require us to file a petition in the court. Finding where to start can be frustrating. There are many different types of petitions from a custody petition to a petition to open sealed adoption records. Here are some steps to take to getting your petition filed.

Instructions

1. 

   Determine what court you need to file with. If you'd like to petition for custody and the child lives in a different area you may have to petition in that court. Call the local courthouse and they will be able to help you determine where to file.

2. 

   Call or drop by the court house to see if they have the proper forms you will need to petition. Most courts will have these available for you. Be sure to bring money with because they may charge a fee for the forms.

3. 

   If the court does not have the necessary documents go to the law library. Even if they do have the documents it may be wise to drop by the law library regardless so you can educate yourself on the current laws regarding your issue. If you still need the documents the law library has books that outline the format of the petitions and you can type it yourself. The librarian can help you locate the books you'll need. This will require a lot of research and will be time consuming. Make sure you bring money for copies and make sure you make enough for you, the court, and any other party that will be involved. If you are in need of any assistance don't be afraid to ask the librarian for help.

4. 

   Go to the Office of the Prothonotary to file your petition. This will cost a fee which varies throughout different courts.

5. 

   Wait for a response from the judge. This may take up to two weeks and you will receive notification in the mail of a court hearing date. You are not required to attend the hearing for the judge to look over your case but it certainly will help.

6. 

   If you do not have the patience to do all this yourself you could always hire a lawyer. They definitely help some cases but aren't necessary all the time. If you do not have the money for a lawyer you could use the free legal aid office in your area depending on the type of petition you are filing. Legal help certainly helps the process, but it can be interesting to go through the legal process on your own.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to check over everything before you file, judges will not take you seriously if there are any mistakes.