Westmoreland County Courthouse

I’ve had the pleasant experience of working with the tax office, the recorder of deeds, the elections office, and Human Resources. All of these experiences have been wonderful, with kind employees working in each of the aforementioned departments. All of the folks I’ve interacted with have truly seemed proud of their jobs, and represent the county in a positive light while understanding the importance of what they do.

Often times when leaving an abusive relationship/marriage the abuse continues. I filed a FFA over a year ago, it was dismissed because my ex didn't show up. I've had no help from the police because I wasn't physically beaten. I was stalked, ect. Long story short I temporarily lost custody. I am court ordered drug and alcohol classes I don't drink nor ever done drugs, ect. I filed emergency custody and my ex was allowed to speak in court. Flipped things I went through an 8month CPS investigation. Even when I had custody 5days a week I was court ordered to give my ex the boys. I haven't seen my boys in almost half a year. I was left with 0$ SAHM for 5years and almost 3years later I have to pay child support.

Make sure you call them about everything because I was supposed to have my record expunged once the fine was paid. They gave me no info beyond that. Two years later it dawned on me that I never got anything from them. So I called and they said yes the fine was paid but I was the one who had to call probation officer I was never aware that I had. Absolutely terrible communication all around.

Who will protect my kids when I can’t? The family court system is supposed to be in place to help protect parents and their children during times of parental dispute during separation or divorce. The state of Pennsylvania’s child custody laws include a gender-neutrality provision to overcome favorable and unfavorable biases towards both genders and help ensure each parent has an equal custody right to their child. A presumption for joint custody exists when both parents are found to be competent caregivers. In my case my husband and I divorced 3 years ago. We agreed upon the divorce terms quickly and efficiently. When it came to custody however it did not and continues to not go smoothly. In the past three years my ex husband has had four arrests, all alcohol related. There was a fifth incidence in which he was also highly intoxicated but didn’t get arrested for it because I thought I’d be nice and not press charges. That started out this roller coaster of madness in 2015. Now it is 2019 and it’s not any better. In 2016 he got picked up by state police walking on route 30. The cops brought him to my house at 3am. I refused to take him. He got charged with disorderly conduct. Then got a DUI a few months later and lost his license, his job and his home. From there he moved in with a girl for a couple weeks and got drunk and walked out without paying for his tab. He was arrested for that. Shortly thereafter he moved to Ohio to live with his mother. I just recently learned of a second DUI that happened in Ohio in February 2018. He had already completed rehab so when I brought it up to the courts attention in November they said it’s not an emergency and the kids are not in any imminent danger. He went to rehab for a fourth time and was clean and sober. The judge at the Westmoreland County courthouse said he would however expedite a hearing since there were far more issues and violations with our custody order than just the numerous DUIs. So we had that meeting today in front of a mediator who also thought having all these arrests and DUIs is not a big deal. He is rehabilitated even though in March 2018 he told me he hadn’t drank since November 2017 and low and behold he had a second DUI in February 2018. He was definitely rehabilitated then and is now. I’m SURE of it. If you don’t sense my sarcasm know that I’m laying on pretty thick. He gets his license back in February 2019. And my concerns about my children and their safety are completely being disregarded. So as their mother I’m supposed to just let this man have them to drive around with even though he’s been arrested four times in three years. Two out of the four arrests being DUI. I feel beaten and let down by a system that is supposed to protect and help hardworking normal individuals and their families. I know people may say that you can’t have control all the time and I need to let the kids go with their dad. They are 7 and 10 and I love them with all my heart. Does this man have to physically or emotionally or mentally harm one or both for the court to do something? How many second chances do you give? I’m at a loss for words. Thankyou Westmoreland County for serving and protecting the people that serve you. What do I do and how do I get my kids and my family through this trying time?

Very fair for the people. What people dont understand is a Honorable Judge only has the law and what evidence is brought to thier attention so they can then see fit what justice under the peoples law we vote in fits the case by case. I remember everything and the courts do keep records of video audio and then all put on paper set in stone so yo speak. But my exoerience outside of the childrens bureau case with purjury commited by a social worker. The custodial case i was involved with went beautifully and the judge even put off lunch so attirneys could get our custody of my now late wife Ashley Hanna Lee Poniewierski's case set in stone so we could be with our children. Thank you. Fir everyone else who has a situation. Speak up if your rughts are being violated or hire a great attorney like tim miller kelly eshelman or in my case fir my late wife ashleys wrongful death suit. FIEGER LAW. 18 OF THE BEST ATTORNEYS NATION WIDEEE ;

Really good people really good employees. Always on time with the mail that I need to pick up from them I'll put in order all stacked right. Make my job a million times easier cuz they put a little effort into making it easier for me thank you very much guys

Try to avoid family court if you are a dad. If you are, and ex isn't a junkie, prepare to be steamrolled! Probably even if she is and you are a good father without tens of thousands of dollars laying around. If you are a mom, you are in good shape. Don't sweat a thing. Can't pass the UA? Still good. If you have that Y chromosome though... Bad things!

Lot of people getting permits!! Was in and done rather quickly. Kudos!!

Every one here is in leagues. The Tip staff have no problem with ex parte communications with their "favorite" attorney in custody matters. The sheriff's deputies have chatty conversations with select parties. It really is Monty Python, as one legal observer noted in his column. This makes Luzerne County look good.

The lady who answered the phone when I called last week was RUDE! Yelled at me for mistakenly calling the courthouse and not the register of wills phone number. Do not belittle me for an honest mistake.