HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-2275 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DEEDRA K. KECK,
Plaintiff
JEFFREY S. KECK,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
(In Custody)
NOTICE
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in
the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this Complaint for
Custody and Notice are served, be entering a written appearance personally or by attorney
and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth
against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and
a judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for any money
claimed in the Petition or for any other claim or relief requested by the Petitioner. You may
lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU
DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE
THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL
HELP.
SA1DIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 249-3166
NOTICIA
Le han demando a usted en la cone. Si usted quiere defenderse de estas demandas
expuestas en las paginas siguientes, usted tiene (20) dias de plazo al partir de la fecha de la
demanda y la notificacion. Usted debe presentar una apariencia escfita o en persona o por
abogado y archiver en la corte en forma escrita sus defensas o sus objeciones a las
demandas en contra de su persona. Sea avisado que si usted no se defiende, la corte tomara
medidas u puede entrar una orden contra usted sin previo aviso o notificacion y por cualguir
queja o alivio que es pedido en la peticion de demanda. Usted puede perder dinero o sus
propiendades o otros derechos importantes para usted.
LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABOOADO IMMEDIATAMENTE. SI NO
TIENE ABOGADO O SI NO TIENE EL DINERO SOFICIENTE DE PAGAR TAL
SERVICO, VAYA EN PERSONAL O LLAME POR TELEFONO A LA OFICINA
CUYA DIRECCION SE ENCUENTRA ESCRITA ABAJO PARA AVERIGAUAR
DONDE SE PUEDE CONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 249-3166
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOV~T_,R
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
By:
SAIDIS, SHUFF, FLOWER & LINDSAY
26 West High Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 243-6222
Attorneys for Plaintiff
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DEEDRA K. KECK, :
Plaintiff : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
v. : No. 2004- ~.),75
JEFFREY S. KECK, :
Defendant : (In Custody)
COMPLAINT FOR CUSTODY
AND NOW, this ~ day of May, 2004, comes Plaintiff, Deedra K. Keck, by and
through her attorneys, Saidis, Shuff, Flower & Lindsay, and files the following Complaint
for Custody and in support thereof aver as follows:
1. Plaintiff, Deedra K. Keck, an adult individual, is the natural mother of two
(2) minor children, namely, Jessica Marie Keck, whose date of birth is June 13, 1988
(hereinafter referred to as "Jessica") and Rebecca Lynn Keck, whose date of birth is July 9,
1991 (hereinafter referred to as "Becky").
2. Plaintiff currently resides with both children at 141 Fern Avenue, Carlisle,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania~
3. Defendant, Jeffrey S. Keck, is an adult individual and the natural father of
the children, who, upon information and belief currently resides at 45 Bobcat Road,
Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pe~msylvania~
4. Plaintiff and Defendant were married on September 29, 1990 in Carlisle,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
5. Jessica was bom out of wedlock and Becky was not born out of wedlock.
6. The parties separated on or about April 11, 2004.
SA1DIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
7. Plaintiff has, since on or about April 11, 2004, exercised sole physical
custody of the children, including providing for their daily needs, support and care.
8. In addition to the children's present address, during the past five (5) years,
the children have resided with the following people at the following addresses:
Names Address Dates
Deedra K. Keck 141 Fern Avenue 4/11/04 -
Carlisle, PA Present
Deedra K. Keck
Jeffrey S. Keck
141 Fern Avenue 1996 -
Carlisle, PA 4/11/04
9. The relationship of Plaintiff to the children is that of natural mother. The
Plaintiff currently resides with the children in her house located at 141 Fern Avenue,
Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania~
10. The relationship of Defendant to the children is that of natural father. Upon
information and belief, the Defendant currently resides with his paramour, Jennifer Glessner
and his grandmother in his grandmother's home located at 45 Bobcat Road, Carlisle,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania~
11. Plaintiff has no information of any other custody proceeding concerning the
children pending in any court of this Commonwealth.
12. Plaintiff does not know of any other person not any party to the proceedings,
besides those who have been notified by this Complaint, who has physical custody of the
children or claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the children.
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
13. Each parent whose parental rights to the children have not been terminated
and the person who has physical custody of the children has been named as a party to this
action. There are no other persons who are known to have or claim to have a right to
custody or visitation of the children.
14. The best interests and permanent welfare of the children will be best served
by granting the relief requested because:
a) The Plaintiff has exercised not only primary physical custody of the
children, but also sole physical custody of the children, since the
Defendant left the marital residence on or about April 11, 2004;
b) The children have bonded with the Plaintiff;
c) The children are well-settled in school in the Plaintiffs' house and
school district;
d) Plaintiff has provided monetary and emotional support for the
children since their birth;
e) Plaintiff provides the children with a home with adequate moral,
emotional and physical surroundings as required to meet the
children's needs;
f) Plaintiff is, and has always been, willing to accept primary physical
custody of the children;
g) Plaintiff would foster an ongoing, loving relationship between the
children and Defendant;
h) Plaintiff continues to exercise her parental duties and responsibilities
and enjoys the love and affection of the children; and
i) Plaintiff offers a stable home environment to the children.
WHEREFORE, Plaimiff, Deedra K. Keck, respectfully requests this Honorable
Court enter an Order granting the parties shared legal custody and further grant'mg Plaintiff,
Deedra K. Keck, primary physical custody of the Children subject to Defendant's, Jeffrey S.
Keck's, periods of partial custody as the parties may agree.
By:
Respectfully Submitted,
SAIDIS, SHUFF, FLOWER & LINDSAY
IT/n~lsay Gin~r~ch IV~clay' Esqu'E~f
~,'Att6mey I.D:"No. 87954
26 West High Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 243-6222
Attorneys for Plaintiff
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Complaint for Custody are tree and correct
to the best of our knowledge, information and belief. I understand that false statements
herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4904 relating to unswom
falsification to authorities.
Date: ~- I~-~
Deedra K. Keck
SAIDIS
SHIJFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
DEEDRA K. KECK
PLAINTIFF
V.
JEFFREY S. KECK
DEFENDANT
1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND cOUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
04-2275 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Thursday, May 27, 2004 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Jac~Lueline M. Verney, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 4th Floor, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle on Thursday, June 17, 2004 at 8:30 AM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an eflbrt will be made to resolve the issues in dispute; or
if this cannot be accomplished, to define and narrow the issues to be heard by the court, and to enter into a temporary
order. All children age five or older may also be l~resent at the conference. Failure to avpear at the conference may
provide grounds for entry of a temporary or permanent order.
The court hereby directs the parties to furnish any and all existing Protection from Abuse orders,
Special Relief orders, and Custody orders to the conciliator 48 hours prior to scheduled hearing.
FOR THE COURT,
By: Is/ ]acqueline M. Verney, Esq.
Custody Conciliator
mhc
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply with the
Americans with Disabilites Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and reasonable
accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact our office.
All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court. You must
attend the scheduled conference or hearing.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR ATTORNEY AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE AN ATTORNEY OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3][66
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Streel
Carlisle, PA
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DEEDRA IL KECK,
Plaintiff
JEFFREY S. KECK,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
No. 2004 - 2275
(In Custody)
AFFIDAVIT OF PERSONAL SERVICE
On this 15th day of June, 2004, I, Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, Esquire, an adul
individual not a party to the above-referenced action, hereby certify that I personally served
a certified copy of the Custody Complaint, a certified copy of the Custody Conciliation
Scheduling Order, and the June 15, 2004 letter, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A", indicating the new date and time for the Custody Conciliation, upon
Defendant, Jeffrey S. Keck, by handing him said documents at the parties' Domestic
Relations Conference.
I, Lindsay Gingrich Maclay, verify that the statements made in this Affidavit are
true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand that
false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S., Section 4904
relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Swolnjo and,subscribed before me this
· L. MURRAy, Nora
/Oara~e eoro c._~. ry ~l~c
Exhibit "A"
JOHN E. SLIKE
ROBERT C. SAIDIS
GEOFFREY S. SHUFF
JAMES D. FLOWER, JR.
CAROL J. LINDSAY
MATI'HEW J. ESHELMAN ~-
KIRK S. SOHONAGE
THOMAS E. FLOWER
LINDSAY GINGRICH MACLAY
JACLYN M. SMITH
LAW OFFICES
SAIDIS, SHUFF, FLOWER &: LINDSAY
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
26 WEST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA 17013
TELEPHONE: (717) 243-6222 - FACSIMILE: (717) 243-6486
EMAIL: lgingrickmaclay@ssfl-la w.co m
WEST SHORE OFFICE:
2109 MARKET STREET-
CAMP HILL, PA 17011
TELEPHONE: (7t7)737-3405
FACSIMILE: (717)737-3407
REPLY TO CARLISLE
June 15, 2004
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Mr. Jeffrey S. Keck
45 Bobcat Road
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Re: Keck v. Keck (In Custody)
Docket No, _004 - ~-~7> (Cumberland County,)
Dear Mr. Keck:
Please be advised that we represent your wife, Deedra Keck, with regard to the above-referenced matter.
As such, enclosed please find a certified copy of the Custody Compla:mt, which we filed on her behalf in the
above-referencefi matter. Also enclosed is a copy of the Custody Conciliation · o
adx~se, d howexer that due to a conflict of interest, Conciliator~J ...... ,:_ ,, Schedu!!,n, Order. Please be
' ' ' a,-qu~une vemev Wlll not be hearino, q this
custoav matter. As such. Conciliator Hubert X Gilrov will be hearina the matter on'JuN 15 '~004 at 9'3(~ a m
on the 4th floor of the Cumberland Count), Courthouse. Please allow thJ!s Ietter to serve ~s notice of the revised
date, time and place of the Custody Conciliation in the above-referenced matter.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. Should you wish to discuss settling this matter
without the need for a Custody Conciliation, please have your attorney, should vou have one. contact me to
discuss same. - -, , ·
LGM
Enclosures
Very truly yours,
Saidis, Sfi'¢~ ~lower
Board Certl)~ed by the American Board of Certification in Creditors' Rights Representation
SAIDIS
SHIJFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DEEDRA K. KECK, :
Plaintiff :
JEFFREY S. KECK, :
Defendant :
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
]No. 2004 - 2275
,In Custody)
STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT FOR CUSTODY
THIS STI~ULATION AND AGREEMENT FOR CUSTODY is entered into this
~TJ~ day of (J'-I,L ~ , 2004, by and between Deedra K. Keck (hereinafter
referred to as "Mother") and Jeffrey S. Keck (hereinafter referred to as "Father").
NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, Mother is the natural parent of two minor children, namely, Jessica
Marie Keck, whose date of birth is June 13, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as "Jessica") and
Rebecca Lynn Keck, whose date of birth is July 9, 1991 (hereinafter referred to as "Becky")
and (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Children"); and
WHEREAS, Jeffrey S. Keck is the natural father of the Children; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto were married on September 29, 1990 and separated
on or about April 11, 2004; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have been living separate and apart since that time;
and
WHEREAS, both Mother and Father believe that it is important that Father remain a
part of the Children's life; and
WHEREAS, there are no prior custody agreements or Orders with regard to these
Children; and
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
WHEREAS, the parties now wish to enter into an Amended Stipulation and
Agreement for Custody of the Children.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. The parties shall have joint legal custody of the Children. Joint legal
custody means the right of both parents to control and to share in making decisions of
importance in the lives of their Children, including educational, medical, and religious
decisions. Each parent shall have an equal fight, to be exercised jointly with the other
parent, to make all major non-emergency decisions affecting the Children's general well-
being, including, but not limited to, all decisions regarding her health, education and
religion. The custodial parent shall inform the non-custodial parent immediately of all
medical and dental appointments and problems pertaining to the Children. If the Children
are sick and are unable to attend school or other pl~mned activities, the parent then having
custody will notify the other parent as soon as practicably possible. Each parent shall notify
the other parent of any medical, dental, optical, counseling and other appointments of the
Children with health care providers, sufficiently in ~advance thereof so that the other party
can attend, if he or she so chooses.
Pursuant to the terms of Pa.C.S. §5309, each parent shall be entitled to equal access
to all records and information pertaining to the Children, including, but not limited to, the
Children's school, medical, dental, religious and other important records, the residence
address of the Children and the other parent. As soon as practical after the receipt by a
party, copies of the Children's school schedule, special events notifications, report cards,
and similar items shall be provided to the other p~wty. To the extent one (1) parent has
possession of any such records or information, that parent shall be required to share same,
or copies thereof, with the other parent within such reasonable time as to make the records
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
or information of reasonable use to the other parent. The custodial parent shall provide
copies of the Children's report cards and other reasonable papers affecting the Children's
education, medical condition or welfare.
Notwithstanding that both parents shall share legal custody, non-major decisions
involving the Children's day-to-day living shall be made by the parent then having custody,
consistent with the other provisions of this Stipulatie,n.
2. Physical custody of the Children, as that term is defined in the Custody Act,
shall be primarily with Mother, however, it shall be subject to the Father's periods of partial
custody as agreed to by the parties hereto, and as requested by the Children.
3. Transportation for custody purposes shall be divided by the parties as
equally as possible. In the event that there is no specific provision governing the custody
exchange, above, the parent who is to receive custody at the time of the exchange to provide
for transportation from the residence of the other parent. At all times, the Children shall be
secured in appropriate passenger restraints. All people transporting the Children shall be
properly-licensed and insured. No person transporting the Children shall consume alcoholic
beverages prior to transporting the Children. No person transporting the Children shall be
under the influence of any alcoholic beverages while transporting the Children.
4. To the extent possible, each party shall provide the other with at least forty-
eight (48) hours advance notice of school, sporting, or other extracurricular activities.
Both parties shall agree to honor and participate in the activities that the Children wish to
engage in. During the times that each of the parents have custody of the Children, they will
make certain that the Children attend any extracurricular activities. The parties are directed
to be supportive of the activities and will transport the Children to and from such activities
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
and the preparations and practice for the activities t]hat are scheduled, in such time so that
the Children are able to participate in those events.
Neither parent, however, shall commit the, Children to any activity unless the
Children definitely desires to attend that activity. Participation in activities, which take
place during the school year, is contingent upon the Children maintaining passing grades in
school.
Neither parent shall commit the Children to :activities that fall on the other parent's
period of custody, without the consent of the other parent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. If the Children are involved in an activity which occurs during both
parents' periods of custody, both parents shall cooperate in providing transportation of the
Children to the activity. However, the custodial parent shall not be required to take the
Children to that activity if the custodial parent and Children are out of town during that
activity, for a previously-scheduled vacation.
In the event that the custodial parent is nnable to deliver the Children to the
particular activity, the parent who has custody of the Children at that time shall notify the
non-custodial parent, who shall be entitled to pick up and deliver the Children to the
designated activity. The custodial parent shall make: certain that the Children are ready for
pick-up in time sufficient to enable the Children to timely attend the activity.
Should the custodial parent elect not to take the Children to a defined activity period
for two (2) times, then the non-custodial parent shall have the right to assume that he or she
will be responsible for transporting the Children to that activity until appropriate
transportation is provided.
5. Both parties are expected to use common sense in scheduling telephone
calls to talk to the Children. Both parties and/or their spouses/significant others/third
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
parties are hereby directed to refrain from preventing the parent who may be calling from
talking to the Children, or preventing the Children fi:om calling the other parent, provided
that the phone calls are not excessively frequent no]: too long in duration that they disrupt
the Children's schedule(s), or interfere with the custodial parent's period of custody.
6. Each of the parties and any third party in the presence of the Children shall
take all measures deemed advisable to foster a feeling of affection between the Children
and the other party. Neither party shall do nor shall either parent permit any third person to
do or say anything which may estrange the Children from the other parent, their spouse or
relatives, or injure the Children's opinion of the other party or which may hamper the free
and natural development of the Children's love, affection and respect for the other parent.
The parties shall not use the Children to convey verbal messages to the other parent
about the custody situation or changes in the custody schedule.
7. Emergency decisions regarding the Children shall be made by the parent
then having custody. However, in the event of any emergency or serious illness of the
Children at any time, any party then having custody of the Children shall immediately
communicate with the other party by telephone or arty other means practical, informing the
other party of the nature of the illness or emergency, so the other parent can become
involved in the decision-making process as soon as practical.
The term "serious illness" as used herein shall mean any disability which confines
the Children to bed for a period in excess of seventy-two (72) hours and which places the
Children under the direction of a licensed physician.
8. The welfare and convenience of the Children shall be the prime
consideration of the parties in any application of the provisions of this Stipulation. Both
SAIDIS
SHUFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26 W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
parents are directed to listen carefully and consider the wishes of the Children in addressing
the custodial schedule, any changes to the schedule, and any other parenting issues.
9. No party shall allow any third party to consume illegal substances when in
the presence of the Child.
10. The parties are free to modify the temas of this Stipulation, but in order to do
so, the parties must he in complete agreement to any new terms.
11. The parties agree to cooperate with one another in an effort to foster a
loving, meaningful relationship between the Child and each parent.
12. Any major, long-term modifications of this Stipulation need to be in writing,
agreed to by both parties, and executed with the same formalities as this Stipulation. Minor,
short-term changes can be made orally, if agreed upon by both parties. In the event that
either party is not in agreement with a proposed change, this Stipulation will control the
custodial arrangement until such time as the parties are able to agree.
1N WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties and their respective witnesses have their
hands and seals this ~_ day of ,~ uJAA./
WITNESSES: ~ ~
0.l~dsay Gir~ch l~aclay, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiffs
,2004.
Deedra K. Keck, Mother
~e~ S. l~e[k, Father
SAIDIS
SHIJFF, FLOWER
& LINDSAY
26W. High Street
Carlisle, PA
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, ]PENNSYLVANIA
DEEDRA K. KECK,
Plaintiff
JEFFREY S. KECK,
Defendant
CIViL ACTION - LAW
No. 2004 - 2275
(In Custody)
ORDER
AND NOW, this { -'~ ~day of '~) [ ~ ,2004, upon presentation and
consideration of the attached Stipulation and Agreement of the parties, it is hereby
ORDERED and DECREED that the attached Stipulation and Agreement for Custody is
made on Order of Court.
BY THE COURT,
,J.
C
DEEDRA K. KECK,
Plaintiff
V
JEFFREY S. KECK,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: NO. 2004-2275
: IN CUSTODY
COURT ORDER
AND NOW, this o~/~ W~day of July, 2004, the Conciliator being advised that the
parties have reached an agreement, the Conciliator relinquishes jurisdiction.
BY THE COURT,