HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-1888MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
vs.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. C"A
IN CUSTODY
COMPLAIINT FOR CUSTODY
AND NOW comes the Plaintiff, MICHAEL E. SNYDER, by his attorney, Samuel L.
Andes, and makes the following Complaint for Custody:
1. The Plaintiff is MICHAEL E. SNYDER, an adult individual who resides at 908
Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
2. The Defendant is JULIE M. SNYDER, an adult individual who resides at 7
Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
3. The Plaintiff and Defendant are husband and wife, having been married on 28
November 1987 and separated on 4 March 2006.
4. The Plaintiff and Defendant are the parents of two minor children, Zachary M.
Snyder, now age 12, born 12 May 1993, and Benjamin M. Snyder, now age 8, born 16
January 1998.
5. Plaintiff seeks an award of shared legal and shared or primary physical custody of
the minor children, Zachary M. Snyder and Benjamin M. Snyder.
6. The children were not born out of wedlock and are presently in the custody of
the Defendant.
1
7. During the past five years, the minor children have resided with the following
persons at the following addresses:
2000 through 908 Peachtree Drive Both Plaintiff
4 March 2006 Mechanicsburg, PA and Defendant
4 March 2006 7 Dewberry Court Defendant
to the present Mechanicsburg, PA
8. The father of the children is the Plaintiff who resides at the address set out
above. He is married to the Defendant.
9. The mother of the children is the Defendant who resides at the address set out
above. She is married to the Plaintiff.
10. The Plaintiff is the natural father of the children. Plaintiff currently resides
alone.
11. The Defendant is the natural mother of the children. Defendant currently
resides with the children and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John DiFonzo.
12. The Plaintiff has not participated as a party or in any other way in any litigation
concerning the custody of the children in this or any other court.
The Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding concerning the children
pending in a court of this or any other jurisdiction.
Plaintiff knows of no other person not a party to this action already who has physical
custody of or claims to have custody or visitation rights with the said children.
2
13. The best interest and permanent welfare of the children will be served by
granting the relief requested by Plaintiff for the following reasons:
A. Defendant has removed the children from the only home they have
ever known and, by doing so, has disrupted their stability and Plaintiff seeks
to return them to their home and the stability they enjoy there.
B. Plaintiff has been the primary care provider for the children during
most of their lives.
C. Because of his work and the way he has organized his life, Plaintiff
is better able to meet the needs of the children and to be available for them
when they need a parent.
D. Defendant has demonstrated, by her conduct, an intention and
effort to disrupt Plaintiff's relationship with the children, to keep the children
from Plaintiff, and to impose unreasonable conditions upon Plaintiff's access
to the children.
E. Plaintiff is the parent more likely to foster and maintain a close
relationship between the children and both parents and not attempt to disrupt
either parent's relationship with the children.
14. Each parent whose parental rights to the children have not been terminated and
the person who has physical custody of the children have been named as parties to this
action.
3
WHEREFORE, MICHAEL E. SNYDER requests this Court to award the parties shared
legal custody and to award Plaintiff primary physical custody of the two children.
Sa el L. Ancres
Attorney for Plaintiff
Supreme Court ID 17225
525 North 12th Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 761-5361
4
I verify that the statements made in this document are true and correct. I understand
that any false statements in this document are subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. 4904
(unsworn falsification to authorities).
DATE:
MICHAEL E. YDER%
5
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I served a copy of the foregoing document upon counsel for
the Plaintiff by regular mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
Date: 27 March 2006
Amy M. rkins
Secretary for Samuel L. Andes
r
?? J'?i
S:,
?. `
I
?.,
?,
?,.
„v
.ry
?,_, ;`,
'-
,,
t
., 1
\4
?}}
J:
^4
MICHAEL E. SNYDER IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER
DEFENDANT
06-1888 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, _ Tuesday, April 04, 2006 upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Melissa P. Greevy, Esq. , the conciliator,
at MDJ Manlove, 1901 State St., Camp Hill, PA 17011 on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 12:30 PM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an effort will be made to resolve the issues in dispute; or
if this cannot he 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 present at the conference. Failure to appear 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: _/s/ Melissa P. Gree_V ES
Custody Conciliator
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) 249-3166
4"l-ppc
RE'C, E!VED ,JMA,y
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
Defendant
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 1 %"? day of May, 2006, upon consideration of the attached
Custody Conciliation Summary Report, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. The parties, Michael E. Snyder and Julie M. Snyder, shall have shared legal
custody of the minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born May 12, 1993, and Benjamin M.
Snyder, born January 16, 1998. Each parent shall have an equal right, 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 their health,
education and religion. Pursuant to the terms of 23 Pa. C. S. §5309, each parent shall be
entitled to all records and information pertaining to the children including, but not limited to,
medical, dental, religious or school records, the residence address of the children and of the
other parent. To the extent one parent has possession of any such records or information,
that parent shall be required to share the same, or copies thereof, with the other parent
within such reasonable time as to make the records and information of reasonable use to
the other parent.
2. Physical Custody. Effective May 5, 2006, and continuing only until June 9,
2006, Mother shall have primary physical custody and Father shall have partial custody in
accordance with the following schedule:
A. Commencing May 9, 2006, each Tuesday after school until 7:00 p.m.;
B. Commencing May 11, 2006 on alternating Thursdays from after school
until 7:00 p.m.;
C. Commencing May 18, 2006 on alternating Thursdays from Thursday
after school until Friday morning.
D. Effective May 5, 2006, on alternating weekends from Friday after school
until Monday morning when the children are returned to school.
3. Custodial Schedule for the Summer 2006. Commencing June 9, 2006, the
parties shall have a week on/week off shared physical custody schedule, with Mother
having custody for the first week. Father's first custodial week shall commence June 16,
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
2006. For purposes of the summer 2006 custodial schedule, custody exchanges shall
occur at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays, unless agreed otherwise.
4. The children shall continue in their current activities of piano, cello, baseball,
and soccer. During weekdays following Father's custodial weekend, Father shall provide
transportation for the children to their music lessons. During the weekdays following
Mother's custodial weekend, Mother shall provide transportation for the children to their
music lessons.
5. A brief hearing is scheduled in Courtroom Number 5 of the Qtimberland
County Courthouse, on the I'- day of 200 &P at . 3 b
o'clock -A:__.M., at which time testimony will bet ken. For the purposes of the hearing, the
Mother, Julie M. Snyder, shall be deemed to be the moving party. This hearing will be
limited in scope to Mother's request for a custody evaluation.
6. Interim Schedule endin Hearin for the 2006/2007 school year.
Commencing with the Monday preceding the first day of school, Mother shall have custody
from 8:00 a.m. Monday until 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, and Father shall have custody from 8:00
a.m. Wednesday until 8:00 a.m. Friday. Commencing with the first Friday after school has
started for the 2006/2007 school year, parties will alternate weekend custodial periods from
8:00 a.m. Friday until 8:00 a.m. Monday. The parent who did not have custody the
weekend prior to the commencement of school shall have the first custodial weekend after
school begins.
BY THE COURT:
??A,
Dist: L. Andes, Esq., 525 N. 12"' Street, P. O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
aul HeIvy, Esq., 100 Pine Street, P. O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
4
D5\K
J.
?, I : a S goo'
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 26'h day of May, 2006, upon consideration of the request for a
continuance from the Attorney for the Plaintiff due to a scheduling conflict and with the
concurrence of the Attorney for the Defendant, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that
the hearing scheduled for July 26, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. is continued to July 27, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.
in Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
By the Court,
Xmuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
A
14? t ?-" -
M. L. Ebert, Jr., % J.
1 =1 gad 9Z k Boaz
AulviC CAN ? rr Rlv'c
?3'1 ?-:'i 1-0_--ilU
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 06-1888
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant IN CUSTODY
PETITION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
AND NOW comes the Petitioner, Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Petition for Special Relief and, in support
thereof, avers as follows:
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17055.
2. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Father"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17055.
3. The parties are the parents of Zachary M. Snyder, born on May 12, 1993, and
Benjamin M. Snyder, born on January 16, 1997.
4. Father initiated a Custody Complaint on March 31, 2006.
5. A custody conference was held on May 5, 2006 before Melissa Greevy,
Esquire which resulted in the issuance of a Custody Conciliation Summary Report (attached
hereto and marked as Exhibit "A") and an Order of Court regarding custody dated May 18,
2006 (attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "B").
6. At the time of the custody conference, Mother indicated very serious
concerns regarding psychological abuse directed by Father towards the children and
expressed a very real concern regarding the wellbeing of the children should they be
required to spend substantial time home alone with their father, particularly during the
school year.
7. As a result of Mother's concerns, she requested that a custody evaluation be
performed by the very well respected Dr. Arnold Shienvold.
8. Although Father provided no concrete reasons for refusing to agree to a
custody evaluation, Father refused to consent to a custody evaluation. Father's refusal to
consent to a custody evaluation resulted in the scheduling of a hearing by this Court for July
27, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.
9. Paragraph 6 of the Court Order which was issued pursuant to the conciliation
conference sets forth a 50/50 custodial schedule commencing with the Monday preceding
the first day of the 2006/2007 school year.
10. This 50/50 schedule was entered without Mother's knowledge or consent.
11. Father's refusal to agree to a custody evaluation will cause this matter to take
months before getting to Court thereby subjecting the children to a 50/50 custodial schedule
during a significant portion of the 2006/2007 school year, a schedule which Mother believes
is not in the children's best interests.
12. Mother respectfully requests this Honorable Court to permit her to present
testimony regarding the appropriate schedule for the children at the commencement of the
2006/2007 school year at the same time as testimony is presented regarding Father's
refusal to consent to a custody evaluation.
WHEREFORE, Mother respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an Order
permitting her to present testimony regarding an appropriate schedule for the children
-2-
during the 2006/2007 school year at the same time as testimony is presented regarding
whether a custody evaluation will be permitted in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
H61vy, Esquire
/D
53148
e Street
x 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 232-5343
(7170 237-5300 (fax)
Dated: June 2, 2006 Attorneys for Petitioner
-3-
Exhlbi+
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
1915.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
1. The pertinent information concerning the child who is the subject of this
litigation is as follows:
NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
CURRENTLY IN THE CUSTODY OF
Zachary M. Snyder
Benjamin M. Snyder
May 12, 1993
January 16, 1998
Mother
Mother
2. A Custody Conciliation Conference was scheduled for May 5, 2006 in
response to Father's Complaint for Custody of March 31, 2006. Present for the conference
were: the Father, Michael E. Snyder, and his counsel, Samuel L. Andes, Esquire; the
Mother, Julie M. Snyder, and her counsel, J. Paul Helvy, Esquire.
3. The parties were able to reach an agreement only as to an Interim Order
through the remaining school year and summer. The parties did not reach an agreement
with regard to the custodial schedule to commence in the beginning of the school year for
2006/2007. There was also no agreement with regard to Mother's request for a custody
evaluation. Accordingly, the Conciliator makes the recommended Order in the form as
attached as to the schedule commencing in the beginning of the school year 2006/2007 and
recommends a brief hearing with regard to Mother's request for a custody evaluation.
4. Father's position on custody is as follows: Father seeks primary physical
custody or shared physical custody. Father complains that Mother unilaterally took the
children from the only home they have ever known and the stability provided there, with the
intent to disrupt the children's relationship with their Father. He complains that she imposes
unreasonable restrictions on his access to the children. Father is a music teacher. He
reports that he has been the parent who has been home when the school bus comes with
the children and has taken them to their various music lessons and sports activities. During
the parties' separation, Father was of the -opinion that he and Mother had worked a
schedule out for shared parenting. However, he now reports that he sees the children only
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
permits it. Father strongly prefers to have a shared physical custody arrangement pending
hearing and prefers that the children be in his care during the summer school recess when
he is available to be with them during the day while Mother works. Father would like for the
children to be able to continue to attend the Harrisburg Academy, as well as continue their
music lessons and participation in sports in which they have participated in the past. In
Father's view, Mother has not been very involved in the boys' music lessons. Father
contends that he was the primary caregiver of the children because his work schedule made
him more available in the hours immediately after school, and as a result made him more
available to be involved with the children in their after-school activities. Accordingly, Father
does not believe that it is fair to have anything less than a shared physical custody schedule
during the interim and until the hearing. His counsel expressed concern that during the
process of a custody evaluation and/or waiting until the hearing, that it will become more
difficult to convince the Court to change the status quo after it has been in place for several
months. It is Father's position that a custody evaluation is not necessary, but that if the
Court would order a custody evaluation, the cost of the evaluation should be shared pro-rata
based on net income. It is noted that Father only agreed to the schedule which was
proposed by Mother for the remaining five weeks of school because Mother agreed to a
shared custody schedule for the summer school recess.
5. Mother's position on custody is as follows: The parties separated on March 4,
2006. She resides with her parents and works as a contractor with the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. She previously worked from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but now has
adjusted her work hours to go to work earlier in the morning and have her day end earlier as
well. She reports that she was the parent who took the children to school each day. The
parents had exchanged a-mails to try to work out some of their parenting arrangements.
However, that did not work out well. She claims that she had never agreed to a shared
physical custody arrangement which Father believed she had agreed. Mother would like to
have primary physical custody with Father having alternate weekends and extensive contact
with the children during the week. Mother reports that the relationship with the children and
the Father has been difficult because Father has yelled so loudly at the children that he got
a nose bleed. After the parties separated, Mother reports that one of the children asked her,
why it took so long to make that decision. Mother also wants the children to continue to
attend the Harrisburg Academy. Mother expressed a number of concerns with regard to
Father's parenting style. She describes him as controlling and demeaning, but denies that
any physical abuse has occurred. She reports that he would frequently contact her to be
sure that she was where he thought she would be. She also expressed concern that the
children have limited opportunities to socialize with other children on an informal basis, such
as at a community swimming pool.
ate Melissa Peel Greevy, Esquir
Custody Conciliator
:274973
Exhibl+ 5
s ? w
-CE,
VED MAY 1 6 20n6
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this p-I day of May, 2006, upon consideration of the attached
Custody Conciliation Summary Report, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. The parties, Michael E. Snyder and Julie M. Snyder, shall have shared legal
custody of the minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born May 12, 1993, and Benjamin M.
Snyder, born January 16, 1998. Each parent shall have an equal right, 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 their health,
education and religion. Pursuant to the terms of 23 Pa. C. S. §5309, each parent shall be
entitled to all records and information pertaining to the children including, but not limited to,
medical, dental, religious or school records, the residence address of the children and of the
other parent. To the extent one parent has possession of any such records or information,
that parent shall be required to share the same, or copies thereof, with the other parent
within such reasonable time as to make the records and information of reasonable use to
the other parent.
2. Physical Custody. Effective May 5, 2006, and continuing only until June 9,
2006, Mother shall have primary physical custody and Father shall have partial custody in
accordance with the following schedule:
A. Commencing May 9, 2006, each Tuesday after school until 7:00 p.m.;
B. Commencing May 11, 2006 on alternating Thursdays from after school
until 7:00 p.m.;
C. Commencing May 18, 2006 on alternating Thursdays from Thursday
after school until Friday morning.
D. Effective May 5, 2006, on alternating weekends from Friday after school
until Monday morning when the children are returned to school.
3. Custodial Schedule for the Summer 2006. Commencing June 9, 2006, the
parties shall have a week on/week off shared physical custody schedule, with Mother
having custody for the first week. Father's first custodial week shall commence June 16,
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
2006. For purposes of the summer 2006 custodial schedule, custody exchanges shall
occur at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays, unless agreed otherwise.
4. The children shall continue in their current activities of piano, cello, baseball,
and soccer. During weekdays following Father's custodial weekend, Father shall provide
transportation for the children to their music lessons. During the weekdays following
Mother's custodial weekend, Mother shall provide transportation for the children to their
music lessons.
5. A brief hearing is scheduled in =uroom Number ? of the umberland
County Courthouse, on the _16A day of , 200 , at 9 `3 O
o'clock A.M., at which time testimony will be take a. For the purposes of the hearing, the
Mother, Julie M. Snyder, shall be deemed to be a moving party. This hearing will be
limited in scope to Mother's request for a custody evaluation.
6. Interim Schedule pending 'Hearing for the 2006/2007 school year.
Commencing with the Monday preceding the first day of school, Mother shall have custody
from 8:00 a.m. Monday until 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, and Father shall have custody from 8:00
a.m. Wednesday until 8:00 a.m. Friday. Commencing with the first Friday after school has
started for the 2006/2007 school year, parties will alternate weekend custodial periods from
8:00 a.m. Friday until 8:00 a.m. Monday. The parent who did not have custody the
weekend prior to the commencement of school shall have the first custodial weekend after
school begins.
BY THE COURT:
S
,
J.
Dist: Samuel L. Andes, Esq., 525 N. 12 1h Street, P. O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
J. Paul Helvy, Esq., 100 Pine Street, P. O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
TRUE COP'S
to Testimony, whereof,
end a seal of said 0
TOY" ]..? ..... C.,
FROM RECORD
I here unto set my hand
,art atAmlisle. Pa.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on the avik day of 2006, a
true and correct copy of the foregoing document was served via facsimile and via first class
mail upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
525 North Twelfth Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
apor,? & A-)L
Lynn B. Lowe, Secretary for
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Counsel for Petitioner
p
Ti
->-r
mow. ...?
e-- %
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
06-1888 CIVIL
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9th day of June, 2006, upon consideration of Defendant
Julie M. Snyder's Petition for Special Relief and after re-examination of the Custody Conciliation
Summary Report filed by Custody Conciliator Melissa Greevy, Esquire, on May 9, 2006,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:
1. That a custody evaluation be preformed by Dr. Arnold Shienvold. The evaluation
shall be completed as soon as possible and a report provided to the court no later
than July 21, 2006. Cost of the evaluation shall be divided equally between the
parties. All parties are directed to cooperate in Dr. Shienvold's evaluation and
each party is directed to immediately schedule an appointment with Dr. Shienvold
in order to ensure completion of the evaluation by July 21, 2006.
2. The phone conference previously scheduled for July 10 and the hearing
scheduled for July 27 are hereby cancelled. Trial of this case is hereby
set for the 2"d day of August, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the
Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Father will be
considered the moving party.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that each party in this case shall
file with the Court a pretrial memorandum listing the following:
1. A list of all fact witnesses;
2. A list of all expert witnesses;
3. Issues for resolution;
-.
4. Estimated length of trial;
5. Any reports from appropriate agencies; and
6. Any reports of experts intended to be called as witnesses.
These items shall be filed with the Court on or before 12:00 noon on Tuesday,
O
July 25, 2006.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., U J.
Samuel Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
? ? rl
r. ?`,.?
i? '
r ,S? ? j c,?,?,
??
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
PLAINTIFF'S PETITION TO COMPEL RESPONSES TO DISCOVERY
AND NOW comes Petitioner. Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Petition to Compel Responses to Discovery,
and in support thereof, avers as follows:
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder, ("Wife"), an adult individual who currently
resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
1. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder, ("Husband"), an adult individual who
currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17055.
2. A Divorce Complaint was initiated in the above-captioned action on March 9,
2006.
3. After the undersigned was unable to obtain the necessary documentation to
process this case informally, on May 5, 2006, a Request for Production of Documents which
consisted of a total of five (5) requests, a copy of which is attached hereto and marked as
Exhibit 'A" was forwarded to counsel for Husband, Samuel A. Andes.
4. Although the undersigned has telephoned opposing counsel to inquire as to
the status of these discovery requests, he has received no response to date.
5. The Petitioner has and will continue to incur attorney's fees as a result of
Husband's refusal to provide the information needed to process this case.
C
6. At least some portion of the information requested is necessary in order to
make an intelligent determination as to whether the parties can continue to afford to send
their children to private school this fall. This determination must be made by July 9, 2006.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an
Order requiring opposing counsel to
a) Respond to the aforesaid Request for Production of Documents;
b) Pay Petitioner's attorney's fees in the amount of $500.00 for the preparation
and presentation of this Petition.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
Dated: (? /2,10
yl^ul HE
I. D. #53
10 e;
O. Box
(717) 232-8000
(717) 237-5300 Fax
2
166
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Michelle Armour, Secretary to J. Paul Helvy, hereby certify that on this date a true
and correct copy of the foregoing document was served via hand delivery upon the
following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
525 North Twelfth Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Mi helle Armour
Dated: ? /a l' &'
r.) ;
?
C _
? •?
_
: , :l'-_
`
"
_
i) _
??
,
_ ??-,
_,_,
;?
;n
? L ? l'!
?A`
??"
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, } IN THE COURT OF COMMON
Plaintiff ) PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
VS. ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2006-1888
JULIE M. SNYDER, )
Defendant ) IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
rti, an
AND NOW this '19 day of I v , 2006, upon the agreement
of the parties, the hearing which had been set for August 2, 2006 is canceled. The hearing
will be held before the undersigned on August 21, 2006, commencing at 11:00 a.m.
All the other provisions of our last order, regarding the custody evaluation, shall
remain in full force and effect.
BY THE COURT,
Distribution:
/Samuel L. Andes, Esquire (Attorney for Plaintiff)
525 North 12's Street, P.O. Box 168, Lemoyne, Pa 17043
/Paul Helvy, Esquire (Attorney for Defendant)
100 Pine treet, P.O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
a'6y
"O"i :Z N G? G fr :ur;7
J
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
VS.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
ORDER
? Sep?a?+bv'
AND NOW this day of>" St, 2006, upon the stipulation of the parties as
presented by their counsel, it appearing that the parties have agreed to the terms of this
Order, we hereby order and decree as follows:
1. The parties, the Plaintiff, Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter "Father"), and the
Defendant, Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter "Mother") shall share legal custody, as defined by
the laws of Pennsylvania, of their minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born May 12, 1993,
and Benjamin M. Snyder, born January 16, 1998. - The parties shall cooperate with each
other to ensure the prompt exchange and disclosure of all significant information regarding
the children and will cooperate to jointly make all decisions of significance in the children's
lives.
2. During the school year, Mother shall have primary physical custody of the
children and Father shall have the following periods of temporary or partial custody:
A. Alternating weekends from Friday after school until Monday
morning when they return to school, commencing with the second weekend
after Father's last period of summer custody;
B. Every Wednesday from after school until the children return to
school Thursday morning.
C. Every other Monday, following Father's non-custodial weekend, from
after school until they return to school Tuesday morning.
In the event that the children do not have school on any of the days Father is to return the
children to school if Mother is working and if Father is not scheduled to work himself, he
will keep the children with him for the day and return them to Mother when she returns
from work later in the day. If the children do not have school on any of the mornings Father
is to return the children to school and he is not available to care for them because he must
work, he will deliver the children to whoever the parties have arranged, by mutual
agreement, to provide child care for the children on those days by 9:00 a.m. Further, on any
day when Father is scheduled not to work but Mother is required to work, Father shall have
the right of first refusal to provide child care for the children on those days.
3. During the summer months the parties will share physical custody of the children
on a week-to-week basis, with the time of exchange being at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The
weekly schedule during the summer months shall commence with Father having the
children for the week which commences on the first Friday after the end of the children's
school term.
4. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the parties shall share custody of the
children on holiday vacations from school so that each of the parties has physical custody of
the children for one-half of such vacations including, without limitation, Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and spring vacation periods. Further, the parties will share or alternate physical
custody of the children on other major holidays, including holidays recognized by the school
the children attend. The details of the holiday schedule will be resolved by the parties by
their mutual agreement and, in the event they cannot reach such an agreement, or, if
necessary, by further order of this Court.
5. The parties will contribute equally to the costs of medical care, extracurricular
and musical activities, and the like which the children pursue, including, without limitation,
music and other lessons, camps, doctor's visits, dental care, and related expenses, provided
that neither parent will incur non-medical expenses for the children in excess of $250.00
without the consent of the other parent. Neither party will change any of the activities in
which the children are presently involved or schedule additional activities for the children
which will impact the other parent's custodial time without prior consultation with and
consent of the other parent. Further, the parties will share and pay the costs of tuition and
other direct expenses to the Harrisburg Academy, which the children presently attend, as
they have previously agreed, so that Father pays 38% of those expenses and Mother pays
62% of those expenses and the parties will cooperate with each other to make payment of
those expenses promptly and efficiently.
6. The parties accept the provisions for the payment of the schooling at the
Harrisburg Academy and the extracurricular activities and medical expenses for the children
in full satisfaction of any claim either party has against the other for the financial support of
the children. Accordingly, neither party will file a support action or otherwise seek the
entry of a support order against the other as long as the parties remain married and, as long
as the parties remain married and this custody order is in full force and effect, Father will
not seek spousal support or alimony pendente lite from Mother.
7. This Order resolves the issues scheduled for a hearing before this Court on
Monday, August 21, 2006.
BY THE COURT,
DISTRIBUTION:
/bamuel L. Andes, Attorney for Plaintiff, P.O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
Paul Helvy, Attorney for Defendant, P.O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108
Oq'
??
rt ;?? '"?'"i
;?
:? l
-? r?
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
VS.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
STIPULATION
AND NOW, this 2C-A-&- day of August, 2006, the parties and their counsel have
agreed that the Court shall enter the attached order to resolve their custody and related
disputes regarding their children and all jointly request the Court to enter that order.
Samuet . Andes
Attorney for Plaintiff
Mi ael E. Snyder
Plaintiff
Juli M. Snyder
Def ndant
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
V. :
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 20th day of December, 2006, with respect to the division of custody for
the Christmas holiday, the Court finds that the parties cannot reach agreement under the
provisions of paragraph 4 of the Order of Court dated September 8, 2006, which had been
stipulated to by the parties on August 29, 2006, therefore;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
A. The Mother shall be given custody of the children from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on
Christmas Day;
B. The Mother shall pick up the Children from and return the Children to the Father's
residence;
C. The Father's period of custody will be extended from Noon until 3:00 p.m. on
December 26, 2006 at which time the Father shall deliver the children to the Mother's home for
the remainder of the Christmas vacation;
D. Mother shall have the first half of the spring vacation in 2007;
E. Father shall have the first half of Thanksgiving vacation in 2007;
tr rr-,fix
)III 4
x,0.9 Wi IZ310HE
I A . M
F. For Christmas 2007, the Mother will have custody the first half of Christmas vacation
with the exception of the period 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon Christmas Day during which the
Father will have custody. Father shall pick up the Children from the Mother's home and return
them to the Mother's home on Christmas Day, 2007.
?Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant y
By the Court,
I 1?\ -?, LAA
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, ) IN THE COURT OF COMMON
Plaintiff ) PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
VS. ) CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JULIE M. SNYDER, ) NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
Defendant ) IN CUSTODY
PETITION TO CLARIFY OR MODIFY PRIOR ORDER
AND NOW comes the above-named Plaintiff, by his attorney, Samuel L. Andes, and
petitions the court to clarify or, in the alternative modify, its prior orders in this matter:
1. The Petitioner herein is the Plaintiff. The Respondent herein is the Defendant.
2. By an order dated 8 September 2006, this court by the Honorable M.L. Ebert,
Jr., J, awarded custody to the parties. A copy of that order is attached hereto and
marked as EXHIBIT A.
3. Thereafter, by an order dated 20 December 2006, this court, by the Honorable
M.L. Ebert, Jr., J, modified its prior order to provide a schedule for certain holidays and
vacation periods. A copy of that order is attached hereto and marked as EXHIBIT B.
4. At the time the order of 8 September 2006 was entered, the parties' two
children attended the Harrisburg Academy and the parties agreed, as provided in
Paragraph 5 of the Order of 8 September 2006, that Plaintiff would pay 38% and
Defendant would pay 62% of the expenses associated with that attendance.
5. Since the entry of the order of 8 September 2006, various disputes and
misunderstandings have arisen between the parties with regard to the custody of their
children. Among those disputes is whether the children should attend the Harrisburg
Academy for the upcoming school year. Plaintiff does not wish the children to attend that
school and Defendant insists that they do. The parties have not been able to resolve that
matter by agreement or negotiation.
6. Defendant contends that the order of 8 September 2006 requires the children
to attend the Harrisburg Academy and requires the parties to divide the expenses of such
schooling so that Plaintiff pays 38% of those expenses. Plaintiff disagrees with that
interpretation and the parties need this court to clarify that provision of this order.
1
7. Defendant contends that the school enrollment of the children cannot be
changed without the consent of both parties, because they share legal custody of the
children. Plaintiff disagrees with that assertion but, if it is correct, he asks this court to
clarify, or the extent necessary, modify its order so that the children need not attend the
Harrisburg Academy.
8. Plaintiff believes that the schedule of custody set out in the order of 8
September 2006 is not to the best interest of the children. He believes the best interest
of the children would be for the parents to share physical custody of the children on an
equal basis, so that the children spend a week with each parent at a time. He believes
that will be in the best interest of the children for the following reasons:
a. The children need substantial time with each parent and will
benefit from spending one half of their time with Plaintiff; and
b. A schedule which requires an exchange of custody only once a
week will reduce the friction between the Plaintiff and Defendant involving
custody exchanges and the confusion the custody exchanges and the current
custody schedule creates for the children; and
c. Plaintiff is better able, because of the current situation and
employment of the parties, to provide for the ongoing needs of the children.
9. The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr. has been the only Judge previously involved in
this custody matter.
10. Defendant does not concur in the relief requested by Plaintiff in this matter.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays this court to clarify and modify its prior orders in
accordance with this Petition and award the parties equally shared physical custody of the
children.
muel L. An
Attorney for Plaintiff
Supreme Court ID # 17225
525 North 12th Street
Lemoyne, Pa 17043
(717) 761-5361
I verify that the statements made in this document are true and correct. I
understand that any false statements in this document are subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C.S. 4904 (unsworn falsification to authorities).
? f
Date: 7 - 0-07
MI HAEL E. SNYDER
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I served a copy of the foregoing document upon counsel
for the Defendant by regular mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
1. Paul Helvy, Esquire
218 Pine Street
P.O. Box 886
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0886
Date: 31 July 2007 Jwt'm ? -
Amy M. arkins
S cretary for Samuel L. Andes
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
vs.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
ORDER
II %3 em eR
AND NOW this 9A day of ?, 2006, upon the stipulation of the parties as
presented by their counsel, it appearing that the parties have agreed to the terms of this
Order, we hereby order and decree as follows:
1. The parties, the Plaintiff, Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter "Father"), and the
Defendant, Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter "Mother") shall share legal custody, as defined by
the laws of Pennsylvania, of their minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born May 12, 1993,
and Benjamin M. Snyder, born January 16, 1998. The parties shall cooperate with each
other to ensure the prompt exchange and disclosure of all significant information regarding
the children and will cooperate to jointly make all decisions of significance in the children's
lives.
2. During the school year, Mother shall have primary physical custody of the
children and Father shall have the following periods of temporary or partial custody:
A. Alternating weekends from Friday after school until Monday
morning when they return to school, commencing with the second weekend
after Father's last period of summer custody;
B. Every Wednesday from after school until the children return to
school Thursday morning.
C. Every other Monday, following Father's non-custodial weekend, from
after school until they return to school Tuesday morning.
In the event that the children do not have school on any of the days Father is to return the
children to school if Mother is working and if Father is not scheduled to work himself, he
will keep the children with him for the day and return them to M370f when she returns
from work later in the day. If the children do not have school on the mornings Father
is to return the children to school and he is not available to care for them because he must
work, he will deliver the children to whoever the parties have arranged, by mutual
agreement, to provide child care for the children on those days by 9:00 a.m. Further, on any
day when Father is scheduled not to work but Mother is required to work, Father shall have
the right of first refusal to provide child care for the children on those days.
3. During the summer months the parties will share physical custody of the children
on a week-to-week basis, with the time of exchange being at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The
weekly schedule during the summer months shall commence with Father having the
children for the week which commences on the first Friday after the end of the children's
school term.
4. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the parties shall share custody of the
children on holiday vacations from school so that each of the parties has physical custody of
the children for one-half of such vacations including, without limitation, Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and spring vacation periods. Further, the parties will share or alternate physical
custody of the children on other major holidays, including holidays recognized by the school
the children attend. The details of the holiday schedule will be resolved by the parties by
their mutual agreement and, in the event they cannot reach such an agreement, or, if
necessary, by further order of this Court.
5. The parties will contribute equally to the costs of medical care, extracurricular
and musical activities, and the like which the children pursue, including, without limitation,
music and other lessons, camps, doctor's visits, dental care, and related expenses, provided
that neither parent will incur non-medical expenses for the children in excess of $250.00
without the consent of the other parent. Neither party will change any of the activities in
which the children are presently involved or schedule additional activities for the children
which will impact the other parent's custodial time without prior consultation with and
consent of the other parent. Further, the parties will share and pay the costs of tuition and
other direct expenses to the Harrisburg Academy, which the children presently attend, as
they have previously agreed, so that Father pays 38% of those expenses and Mother pays
62% of those expenses and the parties will cooperate with each other to make payment of
11 those expenses promptly and efficiently.
6. The parties accept the provisions for the payment of the schooling at the
Harrisburg Academy and the extracurricular activities and medical expenses for the children
in full satisfaction of any claim either party has against the other for the financial support of
the children. Accordingly, neither party will file a support action or otherwise seek the
entry of a support order against the other as long as the parties remain married and, as long
as the parties remain married and this custody order is in full force and effect, Father will
not seek spousal support or alimony pendente lite from Mother.
7. This Order resolves the issues scheduled for a hearing before this Court on
Monday, August 21, 2006.
BY THE COURT,
s
J•
DISTRIBUTION:
Samuel L. Andes, Attorney for Plaintiff, P.O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
J. Paul Helvy, Attorney for Defendant, P.O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108
TRIIE C°7!"y 77""'V, QEC®RD
In Testimo-ny h-- set my hand
a e seal of sa Cwb' p.t riis{ Pa.
?..'.... ay
T .........
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
PLAINTIFF
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 20th day of December, 2006, with respect to the division of custody for
the Christmas holiday, the Court finds that the parties cannot reach agreement under the
provisions of paragraph 4 of the Order of Court dated September 8, 2006, which had been
stipulated to by the parties on August 29, 2006, therefore;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
A. The Mother shall be given custody of the children from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on
Christmas Day;
B. The Mother shall pick up the Children from and return the Children to the Father's
residence;
C. The Father's period of custody will be extended from Noon until 3:00 p.m. on
December 26, 2006 at which time the Father shall deliver the children to the Mother's home for
the remainder of the Christmas vacation;
D. Mother shall have the first half of the spring vacation in 2007;
E. Father shall have the first half of Thanksgiving vacation in 2007;
F. For Christmas 2007, the Mother will have custody the first half of Christmas vacation
with the exception of the period 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon Christmas Day during which the
Father will have custody. Father shall pick up the Children from the Mother's home and return
them to the Mother's home on Christmas Day, 2007.
By the Court,
?-At., 1
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
TRUE COP`' FROM RECORD
In Testimonr, •'nto set my hand
en t e shear ~!`sle, Pa.
T?j
....?........ ..
1 ?r.'r f•
Y
Uj c
`1
?? f TC?1
T 1
r}? f
?11
?
MICHAEL E. SNYDER IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER
DEFENDANT
2006-1888 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Tuesday, August 14, 2007 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Dawn S. Sunday, Esq. , the conciliator,
at _ 39 West Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 12:00 PM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an effort 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 present at the conference. Failure to appear 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: /s/ Dawn S. Sunday, Esq.
Custody Conciliator
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) 249-3166
L 1 :QI IP!V S i Sig LOOZ
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
J. Paul Heivy
Attorney I.D. No. 53148
Cheryl B. Krentzman
Attorney I.D. No. 203463
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 232-8000
(717) 237-5300 (facsimile)
phelvy@mwn.com
ckrentzmanAmwn.com
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
v.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
NOTICE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED COUNTERCLAIM WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM SERVICE
HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK, LLC
BI J_ b
d11,11 11 11A
J. Paul Helvy
Attorneys for Defendant
Dated: September 7, 2007
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
J. Paul Helvy
Attorney I.D. No. 53148
Cheryl B. Krentzman
Attorney I.D. No. 203463
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 232-8000
(717) 237-5300 (facsimile)
phelvv0mwn.com
ckrentzman(&-mwn.com
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF'S PETITION TO CLARIFY
OR MODIFY PRIOR ORDER AND COUNTERCLAIM
AND NOW, comes Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys McNees
Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Answer with Counterclaim to Plaintiff's Petition to
Clarify or Modify Prior Order.
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted. By way of further answer, the September 8, 2006 Order
granted shared legal custody to the parties, and granted primary physical custody of the
children to Mother, with Father having periods of temporary or partial custody.
3. Admitted.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted.
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted in part and denied in part. Mother admits that it is her position
that the shared legal custody provision contained in the September 8, 2006 Custody
Order prevents Father from unilaterally enroll the children in a school other than the
Harrisburg Academy. However, it is denied that the legal custody provision of the
September 8, 2006 Custody Order is the sole legal authority for Mother's position.
Paragraph 5 of the September 8, 2006 Custody Order contains the following relevant
language:
Neither party will change any of the activities in which
the children are presently involved or schedule additional
activities for the children which will impact the other parents'
custodial time without prior consultation with and consent of
the other parent. Further, the parties will share and pay the
cost of tuition and other direct expenses to Harrisburg
Academy, which the children presently attend, as they have
previously agreed so that Father pays 38% of those expense
and Mother pays 62% of those expenses...
There can be no question that a change in the children's school will impact
Mother and Father's custodial time. Furthermore, it is clear that the Court Order
contemplates that the children will attend the Harrisburg Academy.
To the extent the rest of this averment relates to Father's alternate interpretation
of said provision and the relief that he seeks form the Court, no responsive pleading is
required.
2
B. Admitted in part. Denied in part. Mother admits that the schedule of
custody set forth in the September 2006 Order is not in the best interests of the
children. However, Mother denies that it would be in the best interests of the children
for the parties to share physical custody of the children on an equal basis. By way of
further answer, the best interests of the children would be served by Mother continuing
to have primary physical custody and by decreasing Father's periods of partial physical
custody. In addition, in light of Father's inability to communicate with Mother regarding
the important issues involving the children, the best interests of the children would
further be served by amending the existing legal custody provisions to give Mother the
ability to make certain legal custody decisions without Father's consent where Father
either refuses to respond or his consent is being unreasonably withheld.
9. Admitted.
10. Admitted.
COUNTERCLAIM
11. Mother's Answers to paragraphs 1 through 10 of Father's Petition are
incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
12. On June 9, 2006, this Court ordered that a custody evaluation be
performed by Dr. Arnold T. Shienvold. A copy of that Order is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A".
13. The September 8, 2006 Custody Order addressed in Father's Petition and
above is based upon a Stipulation entered into by the parties after the custody
evaluation process was completed. The parties' agreement and the resulting Order
were consistent with Dr. Shienvold's recommendations.
3
14. In the one year that has passed since Dr. Shienvold's recommendation
and the parties' agreement/Court Order, significant issues and disagreements have
arisen between the parties regarding custody. Father's Petition to Clarify or Modify the
Prior Order highlights just one of the issues that has arisen. As stated above, Mother
believes that the disagreements and changes over the past year necessitate the
modification of the existing Custody Order to decrease Father's partial periods of
physical custody and to grant Mother with the authority to make decisions regarding the
children without Father's consent if Father refuses to respond to Mother or in situations
where his consent is being unreasonably withheld.
15. In determining the custody arrangements that would be consistent with the
best interests of the Children, Mother believes and therefore avers that the children, the
parties and the Court will all benefit from a custody re-evaluation.
16. In light of the fact that Dr. Shienvold's original custody evaluation was
completed approximately one year ago, Dr. Shienvold has significant information
available to him regarding the parties, the children and the facts in this case. As such,
Mother believes and therefore avers that a custody re-evaluation by Dr. Shienvold
would result in significantly less expense than the original evaluation.
17. Mother believes that the costs any custody re-evaluation should be split
equally by the parties.
4
WHEREFORE, Mother respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an
Order:
1. Continuing Mother's primary physical custody of the children and
decreasing Father's periods of partial physical custody;
2. Granting Mother sole legal custody of the children or including provisions
which will enable Mother to make legal custody decisions which are in the best interests
of the children in the event that Father refuses to respond to Mother's request for
consent, or in the event that Father's consent is being unreasonably withheld.
3. Appointing Dr. Arnold T. Shienvold to perform a custody re-evaluation
with the costs split equally between the parties.
Dated: Q I-1 103
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK, LLC
By,
Attorneys for Defe
x ?-? A
}
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION -LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9th day of June, 2006, upon consideration of Defendant
Julie M. Snyder's Petition for Special Relief and after re-examination of the Custody Conciliation
Summary Report filed by Custody Conciliator Melissa Greevy, Esquire, on May 9, 2006,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:
1. That a custody evaluation be preformed by Dr. Arnold Shienvold. The evaluation
shall be completed as soon as possible and a report provided to the court no later
than July 21, 2006. Cost of the evaluation shall be divided equally between the
parties. All parties are directed to cooperate in Dr. Shienvold's evaluation and
each party is directed to immediately schedule an appointment with Dr. Shienvold
in order to ensure completion of the evaluation by July 21, 2006.
2. The phone conference previously scheduled for July 10 and the hearing
scheduled for July 27 are hereby cancelled. Trial of this case is hereby
set for the 2"d day of August, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the
Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Father will be
considered the moving party.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that each party in this case shall
file with the Court a pretrial memorandum listing the following:
1. A list of all fact witnesses;
2. A list of all expert witnesses;
3. Issues for resolution;
4. Estimated length of trial;
5. Any reports from appropriate agencies; and
6. Any reports of experts intended to be called as witnesses.
These items shall be filed with the Court on or before 12:00 noon on Tuesday,
July 25, 2006.
By the Court,
*
M. L. Ebert, Jr., U J.
Samuel Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
n
VERIFICATION
Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 4904 relating to unworn falsification to
authorities, I hereby certify that the facts set forth in the foregoing document are true and correct
to the best of my information and belief.
Dated:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on this date a copy of the foregoing
document was served by first class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
P.O. Box 168
Lemoyne, PA 17043
4Miclle Armour, Legal Secretary
Date: September 7, 2007
rn
i
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
VS.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 2006-1888
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN DIVORCE
PLAINTIFF'S REPLY TO DEFENDANT'S COUNTERCLAIM
AND NOW comes the above-named Plaintiff by his attorney, Samuel L. Andes, and
makes the following Reply to Defendant's Counterclaim:
11. No answer required.
12. Admitted.
13. Admitted with clarification. The order entered was somewhat different than
Dr. Shienvold's recommendation and resulted from discussions between the parties.
14. It is admitted that the parties have had this agreement over the order. It is
also admitted that it may be appropriate for the court to modify the order by awarding
Plaintiff primary physical custody of the children. It is denied that Plaintiff's time with the
children should be decreased or that Defendant should be authorized to make important
decisions on behalf of the children.
15. Denied. The issues in this case are not so complicated that further evaluation
is necessary.
16. Denied for the reasons set forth in Paragraph 15 above.
17. Denied. If Defendant wishes an evaluation and feel it is so important she,
alone, should bear the costs of that. In the alternative, the costs should be apportioned
between the parties in relation to their income.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays this court to dismiss Defendant's Counterclaim and
award him the relief requested in his Petition.
+au L. es
Attorney for Plaintiff
Supreme Court ID 17225
525 North 12th Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
(717) 761-5361
r
I verify that the statements made in this document are true and correct. I
understand that any false statements in this document are subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C.S. 4904 (unsworn falsification to authorities).
Date: 9-,?V-0 7 J (f ?-? Z- - /, J
Michael E. Snyder
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I served an original of the foregoing document upon counsel
for the Defendant herein by regular mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
J . Paul Helvy, Esquire
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
Date: Oft&r'jr 001
alitaLth,?•z?
Amy Harkins
Secretary for Samuel L. Andes
_- -eJ
l i 4 f..-..t
_'_ c "I :?
J. Paul Helvy
I.D. No. 53148
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
(717) 237-5343
(717) 260-1701
Attorneys for Plaintiff Julie M. Snyder
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
PLAINTIFF'S PETITION FOR CUSTODY RE-EVALUATION
AND NOW comes Petitioner, Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, and files this Petition for Custody Re-Evaluation.
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder, ("Wife"), an adult individual who currently
resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
2. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder, ("Husband"), an adult individual who
currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17055.
3. Over Father's objection, by Order of Court dated June 9, 2006, the parties
were ordered to have a custody evaluation performed by Dr. Shienvold. The parties were to
cooperate with Dr. Shienvold's office for the scheduling of the evaluation, and were to split
the costs of the evaluation equally. Said evaluation was completed on August 11, 2006.
4. On September 8, 2006, upon Stipulation of the parties, the Court entered the
Custody Order. Said Order is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "A."
5. On August 7, 2007, Father filed a Petition to Clarify or Modify the Prior Order
in an effort to increase the amount of custodial time he spends with the children.
6. Mother subsequently filed an Answer and Counterclaim to Father's Petition.
In her Counterclaim, she asked the Court to, among other things, appoint Dr. Shienvold to
perform a custody re-evaluation, with the costs to be split equally between the parties. A
true and correct copy of said Answer and Counterclaim is attached hereto and marked as
Exhibit T."
7. On November 1, 2007, a custody conference was held before Dawn Sunday
Esquire. At said conference the parties were unable to reach an agreement regarding the
custody of their children.
8. At said custody conference Father refused to agree to cooperate with Dr.
Shienvold so that he could perform a custody evaluation.
9. Dr. Shienvold's involvement in this matter in 2006 was instrumental in
enabling the parties to reach a custody agreement.
10. Mother believes and therefore avers that
a. the likelihood of an amicable resolution of this matter would be
dramatically increased if Dr Shienvold is permitted to perform a re-evaluation.
b. Dr. Shienvold, having already conducted an evaluation that culminated
in the issuance of a report in August 2006, has relevant information regarding the
best interest of the children.
C. Dr. Shienvold could conduct a custody re-evaluation at relatively little
cost to the parties and in a relatively short period of time.
2
11. Opposing counsel has indicated that he does not concur in the relief
requested in this Petition.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an
Order requiring the parties to cooperate in engaging Dr. Shienvold to conduct a custody re-
evaluation, and split the costs of said evaluation equally.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
Dated: November 6, 2007
3
.,
A
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, ) IN THE COURT OF COMMON
Plaintiff PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUN'T'Y, PENNSYLVANIA,
VS. ) CIVIL ACTION LAW
JULIE M. SNYDER, ) NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
Defendant ) IN CUSTODY
oRUEx
Saplennbe0.
AND NOW this -0 111 day of A?agd s#, 2006, upon the stipulation of the parties as
presented by their counsel, it appearing that the parties have agreed to the terms of this
Order, we hereby order and decree as follows:
1. The parties, the Plaintiff, Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter "Father"), and the
Defendant, Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter "Mother") shall share legal custody, as defined by
the laws of Pennsylvania, of their minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born May 12, 1993,
and Benjamin M. Snyder, born January 16, 1998. The parties shall cooperate with each
other to ensure the prompt exchange and disclosure of all significant information regarding
the children and will cooperate to jointly make all decisions of significance in the children's
lives.
2. During the school year, Mother shall have primary physical custody of the
children and Father shall have the following periods of temporary or partial custody:
A. Alternating weekends from Friday after school until Monday
morning when they return to school, commencing with the second weekend
after Father's last period of summer custody;
B. Every Wednesday from after school until the children return to
school Thursday morning.
C. Every other Monday, following Father's non-custodial weekend, from
after school until they return to school Tuesday morning.
In the event that the children do not have school on any of the days Father is to return the
children to school if Mother is working and if Father is not scheduled to work himself, he
will keep the children with him for the day and return them to Mother when she returns
from work later in the day. If the children do not have school on any of the mornings Father
is to return the children to school and he is not available to care for them because he must
work, he will deliver the children to whoever the parties have arranged, by mutual
agreement, to provide child care for the children on those days by 9:00 a.m. Further, on any
day when Father is scheduled not to work but Mother is required to work, Father shall have
the right of first refusal to provide child care for the children on those days.
3. During the summer months the parties will share physical custody of the children
on a week-to-week basis, with the time of exchange being at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The
weekly schedule during the summer months shall commence with Father having the
children for the week which commences on the first Friday after the end of the children's
school term.
4. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the parties shall share custody of the
children on holiday vacations from school so that each of the parties has physical custody of
the children for one-half of such vacations including, without limitation, Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and spring vacation periods. Further, the parties will share or alternate physical
custody of the children on other major holidays, including holidays recognized by the school
the children attend. The details of the holiday schedule will be resolved by the parties by
their mutual agreement and, in the event they cannot reach such an agreement, or, if
necessary, by further order of this Court.
5. The parties will contribute equally to the costs of medical care, extracurricular
and musical activities, and the like which the children pursue, including, without limitation,
music and other lessons, camps, doctor's visits, dental care, and related expenses, provided
that neither parent will incur non-medical expenses for the children in excess of $250.00
without the consent of the other parent. Neither party will change any of the activities in
which the children are presently involved or schedule additional activities for the children
which will impact the other parent's custodial time without prior consultation with and
consent of the other parent. Further, the parties will share and pay the costs of tuition and
other direct expenses to the Harrisburg Academy, which the children presently attend, as
they have previously agreed, so that Father pays 38% of those expenses and Mother pays
62% of those expenses and the parties will cooperate with each other to make payment of
those expenses promptly and efficiently.
•,1
f
6. The parties accept the provisions for the payment of the schooling at the
Harrisburg Academy and the extracurricular activities and medical expenses for the children
in full satisfaction of any claim either party has against the other for the financial support of
the children. Accordingly, neither party will file a support action or otherwise seek the
entry of a support order against the other as long as the parties remain married and, as long
as the parties remain married and this custody order is in full force and effect, Father will
not seek spousal support or alimony pendente lite from Mother.
7. This Order resolves the issues scheduled for a hearing before this Court on
Monday, August 21, 2006.
BY THE COURT,
ISI ? ?i
t?ul ?
. . ,
.
J•
DISTRIBUTION:
Samuel L. Andes, Attorney for Plaintiff, P.O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
J. Paul Helvy, Attorney for Defendant, P.O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108
TRUE C"!?V FROM RECORD
In lestimon . 4 kcra unto set my hand
4e sear of moo,rtislL, Pa. /1
6
i
r
Z ?
f?
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
vs.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
r
STIPULATION
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
AND NOW, this 29 4 day of August, 2006, the parties and their counsel have
agreed that the Court shall enter the attached order to resolve their custody and related
disputes regarding their children and all jointly request the Court to enter that order.
Sa e L. Andes M' ael E. Sny er
Attorney for Plaintiff Plaintiff
r.
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
J. Paul Helvy
Attorney I.D. No. 53148
Cheryl B. Krentzman
Attorney I.D. No. 203463
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 232-8000
(717) 237-5300 (facsimile)
pheivy[)-rnwn.com
ckrentzman -mwn.com
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
NOTICE
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED COUNTERCLAIM WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM SERVICE
HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK, LLC
Y
J. Paul Helvy
Attorneys for Defendant
Dated: September 7, 2007
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
J. Paul Helvy
Attorney I.D. No. 53148
Cheryl 8. Krentzman
Attorney I . D. No. 203463
100 Pine Street
P.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 232-8000
(717) 237-5300 (facsimile)
t)helvv(a7mwn.com
ckrentzman(a)mwn.com
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF'S PETITION TO CLARIFY
OR MODIFY PRIOR ORDER AND COUNTERCLAIM
AND NOW, comes Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys McNees
Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Answer with Counterclaim to Plaintiffs Petition to
Clarify or Modify Prior Order.
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted. By way of further answer, the September 8, 2006 Order
granted shared legal custody to the parties, and granted primary physical custody of the
children to Mother, with Father having periods of temporary or partial custody.
3. Admitted.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted.
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted in part and denied in part. Mother admits that it is her position
that the shared legal custody provision contained in the September 8, 2006 Custody
Order prevents Father from unilaterally enroll the children in a school other than the
Harrisburg Academy. However, it is denied that the legal custody provision of the
September 8, 2006 Custody Order is the sole legal authority for Mother's position.
Paragraph 5 of the September 8, 2006 Custody Order contains the following relevant
language:
Neither party will change any of the activities in which
the children are presently involved or schedule additional
activities for the children which will impact the other parents'
custodial time without prior consultation with and consent of
the other parent. Further, the parties will share and pay the
cost of tuition and other direct expenses to Harrisburg
Academy, which the children presently attend, as they have
previously agreed so that Father pays 38% of those expense
and Mother pays 62% of those expenses...
There can be no question that a change in the children's school will impact
Mother and Father's custodial time. Furthermore, it is clear that the Court Order
contemplates that the children will attend the Harrisburg Academy.
To the extent the rest of this averment relates to Father's alternate interpretation
of said provision and the relief that he seeks form the Court, no responsive pleading is
required.
2
8. Admitted in part. Denied in part. Mother admits that the schedule of
custody set forth in the September 2006 Order is not in the best interests of the
children. However, Mother denies that it would be in the best interests of the children
for the parties to share physical custody of the children on an equal basis. By way of
further answer, the best interests of the children would be served by Mother continuing
to have primary physical custody and by decreasing Father's periods of partial physical
custody. In addition, in light of Father's inability to communicate with Mother regarding
the important issues involving the children, the best interests of the children would
further be served by amending the existing legal custody provisions to give Mother the
ability to make certain legal custody decisions without Father's consent where Father
either refuses to respond or his consent is being unreasonably withheld.
9. Admitted.
10. Admitted.
COUNTERCLAIM
11. Mother's Answers to paragraphs 1 through 10 of Father's Petition are
incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
12. On June 9, 2006, this Court ordered that a custody evaluation be
performed by Dr. Arnold T. Shienvold. A copy of that Order is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A".
13. The September 8, 2006 Custody Order addressed in Father's Petition and
above is based upon a Stipulation entered into by the parties after the custody
evaluation process was completed. The parties' agreement and the resulting Order
were consistent with Dr. Shienvold's recommendations.
3
14. In the one year that has passed since Dr. Shienvold's recommendation
and the parties' agreement/Court Order, significant issues and disagreements have
arisen between the parties regarding custody. Father's Petition to Clarify or Modify the
Prior Order highlights just one of the issues that has arisen. As stated above, Mother
believes that the disagreements and changes over the past year necessitate the
modification of the existing Custody Order to decrease Father's partial periods of
physical custody and to grant Mother with the authority to make decisions regarding the
children without Father's consent if Father refuses to respond to Mother or in situations
where his consent is being unreasonably withheld.
15. In determining the custody arrangements that would be consistent with the
best interests of the Children, Mother believes and therefore avers that the children, the
parties and the Court will all benefit from a custody re-evaluation.
16. In light of the fact that Dr. Shienvold's original custody evaluation was
completed approximately one year ago, Dr. Shienvold has significant information
available to him regarding the parties, the children and the facts in this case. As such,
Mother believes and therefore avers that a custody re-evaluation by Dr. Shienvold
would result in significantly less expense than the original evaluation.
17. Mother believes that the costs any custody re-evaluation should be split
equally by the parties.
4
WHEREFORE, Mother respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an
Order:
1. Continuing Mother's primary physical custody of the children and
decreasing Father's periods of partial physical custody;
2. Granting Mother sole legal custody of the children or including provisions
which will enable Mother to make legal custody decisions which are in the best interests
of the children in the event that Father refuses to respond to Mother's request for
consent, or in the event that Father's consent is being unreasonably withheld,
3. Appointing Dr. Arnold T. Shienvold to perform a custody re-evaluation
with the costs split equally between the parties.
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK, LLC
By
Paul
Dated: Attorneys for DefeaT6nt
5
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 9th day of June, 2006, upon consideration of Defendant
Julie M. Snyder's Petition for Special Relief and after re-examination of the Custody Conciliation
Summary Report filed by Custody Conciliator Melissa Greevy, Esquire, on May 9, 2006,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED:
1. That a custody evaluation be preformed by Dr. Arnold Shienvold. The evaluation
shall be completed as soon as possible and a report provided to the court no later
than July 21, 2006. Cost of the evaluation shall be divided equally between the
parties. All parties are directed to cooperate in Dr. Shienvold's evaluation and
each party is directed to immediately schedule an appointment with Dr. Shienvold
in order to ensure completion of the evaluation by July 21, 2006.
2. The phone conference previously scheduled for July 10 and the hearing
scheduled for July 27 are hereby cancelled. Trial of this case is hereby
set for the 2nd day of August, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the
Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Father will be
considered the moving party.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that each party in this case shall
file with the Court a pretrial memorandum listing the following:
1. A list of all fact witnesses;
2. A list of all expert witnesses;
3. Issues for resolution;
x .
4. Estimated length of trial;
5. Any reports from appropriate agencies; and
6. Any reports of experts intended to be called as witnesses.
These items shall be filed with the Court on or before 12:00 noon on Tuesday,
July 25, 2006.
By the Court, -t - a'A
`v`
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
Samuel Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
fa'
)
VERIFICATION
Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to
authorities, I hereby certify that the facts set forth in the foregoing document are true and correct
to the best of my information and belief.
Dated:
: ,
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on this date a copy of the foregoing
document was served by first class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
P.O. Box 168
Lemoyne, PA 17043
*MicelleiAtrtmUo:?u=r, Legal Secretary
Date: September 7, 2007
{ 1
• Y
C=*
Z ?
.G"
VERIFICATION
Subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to
authorities, I hereby certify that the facts set forth in the foregoing document are true and correct
to the best of my information and belief.
Dated:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on this date a copy of the foregoing
document was served by first class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
P.O. Box 168
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Oh le Armour, Legal Secretary
Date: November 7, 2007
? ?--, -?.>
_ ?
???
O. .3
•' ..
?Y "'.?
_
`1
r_.
9
: t J?
. ? -?
?; ?.
Q ?`' --
;?.
C
t;,7 --
F %
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE CO RT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1 88 CIVIL
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVI ACTT N - LAW
DEFENDANT IN C STO Y
RT
AND NOW, this 13th day of November, X01
for Custody Re-Evaluation filed by the Defend nt,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTE
1. A Rule is issued upon the Plaintiff to
should not be granted;
2. The Plaintiff will file an answer to thi
7, upon consideration of the Petition
at:
se why the relief requested
n on or before
November 26, 2007;
3. A copy of said answer will be filed with this Court;
5. If no answer to the Rule to Show cause is led by the required date, the relief
requested by Defendant shall be granted. If thle Plaintiff files an answer to this Rule to
Show Cause, and the answer raises disputed issues of material fact, a hearing will then
be scheduled.
By the' Court,l
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
?C3 £S ll?C?
VIN'VAIASNN9d
mNn
L C *E Wd E 1. AOR DOZ
O
?o
Mo XCIW
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 5th day of December, 2007, upon consideration of the
Defendant's Petition for Custody Re-Evaluation, and the Court noting that the Plaintiff
has not filed an Answer thereto, in accordance with the Order of Court dated
November 13, 2007,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that Dr. Shienvold is appointed to
conduct a re-evaluation of the parties custody situation. The parties shall cooperate in
Dr. Shienvold's re-evaluation and shall equally split the costs of said evaluation.
By the Court,
`Ml
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
04ort." ontitIrr-CL
is/s/v?
mss' r?'1
bas
) ?' 1 •>'t ? t ? 14i' 1 ?
f ?
I I:11kl S- 1313tou
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER, CIVIL ACTION -LAW
DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 5th day of December, 2007, upon consideration of the
attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. A hearing is scheduled in Courtroom Number 5 of the Cumberland
County Courthouse on the 7th day of May, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. at which time testimony
will be taken. For purposes of the hearing, the Father, Michael E. Snyder, shall be
deemed to be the moving party and shall proceed initially with testimony. Counsel for
the parties shall file with the Court and opposing counsel a Memorandum setting for the
each party's position on custody, a list of witnesses who are expected to testify at the
hearing, and a summary of the anticipated testimony of each witness. These
Memoranda shall be filed at least 10 days prior to the hearing date.
2. The parties shall participate in a course of therapeutic family
counseling with a professional to be selected by agreement between the parties. The
parties shall attend a minimum of six (6) joint sessions and shall follow the
recommendations of the counselor with respect to the frequency and duration of
counseling. The parties shall equally share all costs of counseling which are not
covered by insurance.
3. If the Court Ordered custody re-evaluation by Dr. Shienvold, that was
ordered on December 5, 2007, is not completed by the above hearing date and time,
the Attorney for Defendant shall Petition the Court for a continuance of the above
hearing.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
v_-_muel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
vd. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
bas
/tawo?)?
0 Wd 01 330 COOL
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, )
Plaintiff )
vs. )
l
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
ORDER
IN THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
AND NOW this 30 day of , 2008, upon the agreement
of the parties, it appearing that the custody reevaluation report by Dr. Shienvold has not been
completed or provided to the parties, we hereby postpone the hearing set for May 7, 2008 and
reschedule it for 3r-i the,-15 day of -c It _ 2008 at q.?30 a.m.
Otherwise, the provisions of our order of December 5, 2007 shall remain in full force and effect.
BY THE COURT,
Distribution:
- Samuel L. Andes, Esquire (Attorney for Plaintiff)
525 North 12t' Street, P.O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire (Attorney for Defendant)
P.O. Box 1166, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
(24v1 tS r-nc71 LL
/3 / s
r r
7( t18 C£ Uv 203Z
-jHi -0
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
v.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
ORDER
AND NOW this 1* day of M!q 2008, upon the agreement of the parties, it
appearing that the custody reevaluation report by Dr. Shienvold has not been completed or
provided to the parties, we hereby postpone the hearing set for July 25, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
and reschedule it for Wednesday, the 13'-day of August 2008 at 9:30 a.m. Otherwise, the
provisions of our order of December 5, 2007 shall remain in full force and effect.
BY THE COURT:
J.
Distribution:
? J. Paul Helvy, Esquire (Attorney for Defendant)
/? P.O. Box 1166, 100 Pine Street, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1166
? Samuel L. Andes, Esquire (Attorney for Plaintiff)
525 North 12th Street, P.O. Box 168, Lemoyne, PA 17043
Cap Ilec em:a I tom,
YNVi1`1ASNN]d
C :Z Wd 6- AVW 8001
AIMONOHiOdd Ni 3O
30,1?0-?sq
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN RE: CUSTODY
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL TERM
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 13th day of August, 2008, the parties
having appeared in court for a hearing and reporting to the Court
that they have reached an agreement to resolve all issues
currently pending in this custody action, we hereby order and
decree as follows:
1. The plaintiff, Michael E. Snyder, hereinafter
referred to as Father, and Julie M. Snyder, hereinafter referred
to as Mother, shall share legal custody, as defined by the laws
of Pennsylvania, of their minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born
May 12, 1993, and Benjamin M. Snyder, born January 16, 1998. The
parties shall cooperate with each other to insure prompt exchange
and disclosure of all significant information regarding the
children and shall cooperate to jointly make all decisions of
significance in the children's lives.
2. During the school year, Mother shall have primary
physical custody of the children and Father shall have the
following periods of temporary or partial custody:
A. Alternating weekends from Friday after school
until Monday evening at 7:00 p.m., commencing with the second
weekend after Father's last period of summer custody; and
B. Every Wednesday from after school until the
children return to school Thursday morning.
In the event that the children do not have school
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 2
on any of the days Father is to return the
children to school, if Mother is working, and if
Father is not scheduled to work himself, Father
will keep the children with him for the day and
Mother shall assume custody when she returns from
work later in the day. If the children do not
have school on any of the mornings Father is to
return the children to school, and he is not
available to care for them because he must work,
he will deliver the children to whoever the
parties have arranged by their mutual agreement
to provide child care for the children on those
days, by 9:00 a.m. Further, on any day when
Father is scheduled not to work but Mother is
required to work, Father shall have the right of
first refusal to provide child care for the
children on those days.
3. During the summer months, during the children's
school vacation, the parties shall share physical custody of the
children on a week to week basis, with the time of exchange being
at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The weekly schedule during the summer
months shall commence with Father having the children for the
week which commences on the first Friday after the end of the
children's school term.
4. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the parties
shall share custody of the children during the following holiday
vacations as follows:
A. Thanksgiving: The holidays shall commence
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 3
Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. and continue until
Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. In even numbered
years Mother shall have custody from Thursday
morning at 9:00 a.m. until Saturday morning at
9:00 a.m. and Father shall have the remainder of
the holiday. In odd numbered years Father shall
have custody from Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
until Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and Mother
shall have the remainder of the holiday.
B. Christmas: The Christmas holiday shall.
commence on December 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and
continue until the evening prior to the day that
the children return to school in the new year.
In even numbered years Father shall have custody
from December 23rd at 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m.
on December 28th and Mother shall have the
remainder of the holiday. In odd numbered years
Mother shall have custody from December 23rd at
6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m., December 28th, and
Father shall have the remainder of the holiday.
C. Spring vacation. In the event that the
children have a spring vacation from school, the
parties shall divide that vacation equally. The
vacation shall commence at 6:00 p.m. on the last
day of school and shall continue until 6:00 p.m.
the day before school resumes. In even numbered
years Father shall have the first half of the
vacation and Mother shall have the second half.
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 4
In odd numbered years Mother shall have the first
half and Father shall have the second half of
that vacation. Each party shall notify the other
in writing at least 30 days prior to the
commencement of the vacation of their proposed
exchange time at the middle of the vacation.
D. Easter. If the Easter holiday does not fall
within the children's spring vacation from
school, the parties shall share the Easter
holiday as follows. The Easter holiday shall
commence at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening
immediately preceding Easter Sunday and shall
continue until 7:00 p.m. Easter evening.
In even numbered years Mother shall have custody
during the Easter holiday. In odd numbered
years Father shall have custody during the Easter
holiday.
5. Mother shall have custody of the children on
Mother's Day from 6:00 p.m. the day before Mother's Day until
6:00 p.m. on Mother's Day. Father shall have custody of the
children on Father's Day from 6:00 p.m. the evening before
Father's Day until 6:00 p.m. on Father's Day.
6. Unless otherwise agreed, the parent receiving
custody of the children shall be responsible to provide
transportation for the children for custody exchanges. If the
party surrendering custody does not have the children ready and
their pick up by the other parent is delayed by 20 minutes, the
parent surrendering custody will be then responsible to deliver
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 5
the children to the other parent.
7. Both parents shall the right to initiate daily
telephone contact with the children, except when the children are
on vacation with the other parent. In addition, even during
periods of vacation, the children shall have the right to
initiate telephone contact with the non-custodial parent. In the
event of telephone contact, the telephone discussions shall not
be excessive or overly lengthy.
8. Should either of the parties take the children out
of town for an overnight period, they shall provide 24 hours
advance notice, via e-mail, to the other parent and that notice
shall include emergency contact information.
9. The parties will contribute equally to the costs
of medical care, extracurricular and musical activities and the
like for the children, including, without limitation, music and
other lessons, camps, doctor's visits, dental care and related
expenses, provided that neither parent will incur non-medical
expenses for the children in excess of $250.00 without the prior
consent of the other parent. Neither party shall change any of
the activities in which the children are presently involved or
schedule additional activity for the children which will affect
the other parent's custodial time without prior consultation with
and a prior consent of the other parent.
10. The parties acknowledge that there have been
expenses incurred by each of them up to now that they have not
yet resolved since the prior order in this matter dated September
8, 2006. Issues regarding those expenses, which include the cost
of the children's attendance at the Harrisburg Academy for the
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 6
school year 2007 and 2008, are hereby referred to the Divorce
Master to be resolved at the time that the other economic issues
in the divorce action now pending between the parties are
resolved. The parties shall each provide to the other, at least
quarterly, from this date forward, lists of the expenses which
they have incurred for the children for which they seek
contribution from the other parent. In the event that the
parties are not able to resolve any disagreements about those
prospective expenses, we hereby refer the resolution of those
disputes to the Divorce Master to be resolved at the time the
other economic issues are resolved.
11. The children shall be enrolled in the Harrisburg
Academy for the upcoming school year and for all future school
years in which Mother pays the tuition and other direct expenses
resulting from their enrollment. Mother shall be solely
responsible to pay those expenses without any contribution from
Father.
12. The parties accept the provisions for the payment
of the extracurricular activity and medical expenses for the
children in full satisfaction of any claim either party has
against the other for the financial support of the children.
Accordingly, neither party shall file a support action or
otherwise seek the entry of a support order against the other as
long as the parties remain married and, as long as the parties
remain married and this custody order is in full force and
effect, neither party shall seek an award of spousal support or
alimony pendente lite from the the other.
13. Father shall pay to wife the sum of $1800.00
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 7
within 30 days of the date of this Order to pay his one-half
share of the professional fees incurred by Arnold Shienvold for
his evaluation in this case.
14. Our prior Orders in this matter are vacated and
replaced entirely with this order.
By the Court,
,W\ I ?A
M. L. Ebert, Jr. J.
.X*a'muel L. Andes, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
vd'. Paul Helvy, Esquire
For the Defendant `t
.mtf V
c
_'n
/V\C
0
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
Defendant IN CUSTODY
PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY
AND NOW comes the Petitioner, Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Petition to Modify Custody Schedule and, in
support thereof, avers as follows:
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17055.
2. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Father"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17055.
3. The parties are the parents of Zachary M. Snyder, born on May 12, 1993, and
Benjamin M. Snyder, born on January 16, 1998.
4. The parties separated in March 2006.
5. Since that time, Dr. Arnold Shienvold has conducted two separate custody
evaluations. The first evaluation concluded with a report issued on August 11, 2006, and
the second evaluation concluded with a report issued on May 20, 2008.
6. Dr. Shienvold recommended in his first custody evaluation that the boys
spend alternating weekends from Friday after school until Monday morning, every
Wednesday after school until Thursday, and alternating Monday evenings from after school
until 8 p.m. with their Father, Mother agreed to the entry of an Order as recommended by
Dr. Shienvold, except she agreed to make the alternating Mondays an overnight rather than
simply a period of time from after school until 8 p.m.
7. An Order was entered on September 8, 2006, consistent with this agreement.
8. The second evaluation reveals that Zach stated that he continues to hold a
grudge for his Father for hitting him in the past, and also stated that he feels that his father
only wants custody of him "for show." Ben reported that although his Father has never hit
him, he did see the things that happened to Zach. Ben stated that "when nothing is wrong, I
feel safe to be around dad, but when something is wrong, I don't feel that way." By
"something wrong," Ben stated that he meant if his Father had a bad day. (See Dr.
Shienvold's report of May 20, 20098, pp. 13-14.)
9. In spite of Dr. Shienvold's findings regarding the children's concerns as they
relate to their Father, he concluded in a second evaluation that "the current evaluation does
not reveal any significant change in the overall living situations that would warrant a need
for change in the custody arrangement."
10. On August 13, 2008, the date scheduled for trial on cross-petitions for
modification of the existing order by the parties, an agreement was reached confirming the
alternating weekend continuing the every other Wednesday after school until Thursday
morning partial custody for Father, but deleting the Monday period of partial custody. A true
and correct copy of said Order is attached hereto and marked Exhibit "A."
11. It had been Mother's sincere hope that by agreeing to a Custody Order which
was substantially similar to the prior Custody Order, that she would be able to keep the
peace and reduce the hostility and conflict that existed between her and Father.
-2-
II. THE OCTOBER 9, 2008 INCIDENT RESULTING IN
THE ENTRY OF A PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER
12. Unfortunately, on October 9, 2008, when Mother arrived at Father's house to
pick up the children, Father slammed the car door on Plaintiffs leg, as Mother attempted to
effectuate the exchange of the children. He then grabbed Mother by both upper arms, lifting
her off the ground, shaking her and then slammed her down hard on the ground. All the
while making comments such as "You need to learn to listen, "Oh that hurts," "Oh too bad,"
and "Scared, Julie?" All of this occurred in the presence of young Ben.
13. As a result of this incident, a Protection From Abuse Complaint was filed, and
a Temporary Order was entered on October 24, 2008 with a permanent order being entered
on October 24, 2008. A copy of the permanent Order is attached hereto and marked
Exhibit "B."
111. REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY ORDER
14. Since this incident occurred, both boys have expressed fear and concern
about going to Father's house.
15. Mother believes and therefore avers that although it is important that the boys
have an ongoing relationship with Father, it is in the children's best interest that Father's
time with the children be limited to every other weekend from Friday at a specified time until
Sunday evening at a specified time.
16. The midweek periods of partial custody have proven to be increasingly
disruptive to the children, particularly given the degradation in the parties' relationship
associated with Father's behavior.
17. Although Dr. Shienvold recommended in his first evaluations that Father
engage in counseling so that he could "begin to explore the impact of some of his early
-3-
experiences on his parenting, as well as deal with some of the issues he has with
interpersonal relationships," Dr. Shienvold found that Father had attended very few
sessions by the time of the May 2008 evaluation. (Dr. Shienvold's May 2008 Report, p. 16.)
18. Dr. Shienvold found in the May 2008 evaluation that "Mike does a very poor
job of masking his anger and disdain for Julie, and has not worked on that issue in his
therapy."
19. Based on Dr. Shienvold's recommendations and on the recent incident of
physical abuse, Mother believes that it is imperative that Father commence a regular course
of treatment and therapy.
20. Mother believes that until Father becomes more fully involved in counseling,
which includes an anger management component, that the children are in danger of
becoming victims of Father's anger.
21. Concurrent with the filing of this Petition, Mother is filing a separate Petition, a
copy of which is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "C," requesting the a) appointment
of a Guardian Ad Litem in order to provide the children with an individual with whom they
can confer outside of the context of a therapeutic setting, who can then act as an
intermediary between the children and the Court; and b) requesting that an Order be
entered permitting the children to continue seeing Dr. Mark Bigger.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court to
A) Modify the existing Custody Order in order to provide Father with periods of
partial custody from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening;
B) Require Father to engage in counseling, and make Father's periods of partial
custody contingent upon his continued involvement and participation in said counseling until
such time as he is released from counseling by his therapist;
-4-
C) Appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to act as an intermediary between the children
and the Court, so that their voices can be heard in this matter; and
D) Permit the children to see Dr. Mark Bigger.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
J. Paul H vy, Esquire
I.D. N 3148
10 ine Street
O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 232-5343
(7170 237-5300 (fax)
Dated: October 28, 2008 Attorneys for Petitioner
-5-
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing document are true and correct.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. §4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: , OW10? rM, Juyder
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V 06-1888 CIVIL TERM
JULIE M. SNYDER, IN CUSTODY
Defendant
IN RE: CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 13th day of August, 2008, the parties
having appeared in court for a hearing and reporting to the Court
that they have reached an agreement to resolve all issues
currently pending in this custody action, we hereby order and
decree as follows:
1. The plaintiff, Michael E. Snyder, hereinafter
referred to as Father, and Julie M. Snyder, hereinafter referred
to as Mother, shall share legal custody, as defined by the laws
of Pennsylvania, of their minor children, Zachary M. Snyder, born
May 12, 1993, and Benjamin M. Snyder, born January 16, 1998. The
parties shall cooperate with each other to insure prompt exchange
and disclosure of all significant information regarding the
children and shall cooperate to jointly make all decisions of
significance in the children's lives.
2. During the school year, Mother shall have primary
physical custody of the children and Father shall have the
following periods of temporary or partial custody:
A. Alternating weekends from Friday after school
until Monday evening at 7:00 p.m., commencing with the second
weekend after Father's last period of summer custody; and
B. Every Wednesday from after school until the
children return to school Thursday morning.
In the event that the children do not have school
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 2
on any of the days Father is to return the
children to school, if Mother is working, and if
Father is not scheduled to work himself, Father
will keep the children with him for the day and
Mother shall assume custody when she returns from
work later in the day. If the children do not
have school on any of the mornings Father is to
return the children to school, and he is not
available to care for them because he must work,
he will deliver the children to whoever the
parties have arranged by their mutual agreement
to provide child care for the children on those
days, by 9:00 a.m. Further, on any day when
Father is scheduled not to work but Mother is
required to work, Father shall have the right of
first refusal to provide child care for the
children on those days.
3. During the summer months, during the children's
school vacation, the parties shall share physical custody of the
children on a week to week basis, with the time of exchange being
at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The weekly schedule during the summer
months shall commence with Father having the children for the
week which commences on the first Friday after the end of the
children's school term.
4. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the parties
shall share custody of the children during the following holiday
vacations as follows:
A. Thanksgiving: The holidays shall commence
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 3
Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. and continue until
Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. In even numbered
years Mother shall have custody from Thursday
morning at 9:00 a.m. until Saturday morning at
9:00 a.m. and Father shall have the remainder of
the holiday. In odd numbered years Father shall
have custody from Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m.
until Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and Mother
shall have the remainder of the holiday.
B. Christmas: The Christmas holiday shall.
commence on December 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and
continue until the evening prior to the day that
the children return to school in the new year.
In even numbered years Father shall have custody
from December 23rd at 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m.
on December 28th and Mother shall have the
remainder of the holiday. In odd numbered years
Mother shall have custody from December 23rd at
6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m., December 28th, and
Father shall have the remainder of the holiday.
C. Spring vacation. In the event that the
children have a spring vacation from school, the
parties shall divide that vacation equally. The
vacation shall commence at 6:00 p.m. on the last
day of school and shall continue until 6:00 p.m.
the day before school resumes. In even numbered
years Father shall have the first half of the
vacation and Mother shall have the second half.
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 4
In odd numbered years Mother shall have the first
half and Father shall have the second half of
that vacation. Each party shall notify the other
in writing at least 30 days prior to the
commencement of the vacation of their proposed
exchange time at the middle of the vacation.
D. Easter. If the Easter holiday does not fall
within the children's spring vacation from
school, the parties shall share the Easter
holiday as follows. The Easter holiday shall
commence at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening
immediately preceding Easter Sunday and shall
continue until 7:00 p.m. Easter evening.
In even numbered years Mother shall have custody
during the Easter holiday. In odd numbered
years Father shall have custody during the Easter
holiday.
5. Mother shall have custody of the children on
Mother's Day from 6:00 p.m. the day before Mother's Day until
6:00 p.m. on Mother's Day. Father shall have custody of the
children on Father's Day from 6:00 p.m. the evening before
Father's Day until 6:00 p.m. on Father's Day.
6. Unless otherwise agreed, the parent receiving
custody of the children shall be responsible to provide
transportation for the children for custody exchanges. If the
party surrendering custody does not have the children ready and
their pick up by the other parent is delayed by 20 minutes, the
parent surrendering custody will be then responsible to deliver
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 5
the children to the other parent.
7. Both parents shall the right to initiate daily
telephone contact with the children, except when the children are
on vacation with the other parent. In addition, even during
periods of vacation, the children shall have the right to
initiate telephone contact with the non-custodial parent. In the
event of telephone contact, the telephone discussions shall not
be excessive or overly lengthy.
8. Should either of the parties take the children out
of town for an overnight period, they shall provide 24 hours
advance notice, via e-mail, to the other parent and that notice
shall include emergency contact information.
9. The parties will contribute equally to the costs
of medical care, extracurricular and musical activities and the
like for the children, including, without limitation, music and
other lessons, camps, doctor's visits, dental care and related
expenses, provided that neither parent will incur non-medical
expenses for the children in excess of $250.00 without the prior
consent of the other parent. Neither party shall change any of
the activities in which the children are presently involved or
schedule additional activity for the children which will affect
the other parent's custodial time without prior consultation with
and a prior consent of the other parent.
10. The parties acknowledge that there have been
expenses incurred by each of them up to now that they have not
yet resolved since the prior Order in this matter dated September
8, 2006. Issues regarding those expenses, which include the cost
of the children's attendance at the Harrisburg Academy for the
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 6
school year 2007 and 2008, are hereby referred to the Divorce
Master to be resolved at the time that the other economic issues
in the divorce action now pending between the parties are
resolved. The parties shall each provide to the other, at least
quarterly, from this date forward, lists of the expenses which
they have incurred for the children for which they seek
contribution from the other parent. In the event that the
parties are not able to resolve any disagreements about those
prospective expenses, we hereby refer the resolution of those
disputes to the Divorce Master to be resolved at the time the
other economic issues are resolved.
11. The children shall be enrolled in the Harrisburg
Academy for the upcoming school year and for all future school
years in which Mother pays the tuition and other direct expenses
resulting from their enrollment. Mother shall be solely
responsible to pay those expenses without any contribution from
Father.
12. The parties accept the provisions for the payment
of the extracurricular activity and medical expenses for the
children in full satisfaction of any claim either party has
against the other for the financial support of the children.
Accordingly, neither party shall file a support action or
otherwise seek the entry of a support order against the other as
long as the parties remain married and, as long as the parties
remain married and this custody order is in full force and
effect, neither party shall seek an award of spousal support or
alimony pendente lite from the the other.
13. Father shall pay to wife the sum of $1800.00
Snyder V Snyder
06-1888 Civil Term
Page 7
within 30 days of the date of this order to pay his one-half
share of the professional fees incurred by Arnold Shienvold for
his evaluation in this case.
14. Our prior Orders in this matter are vacated and
replaced entirely with this Order.
By the Court, IN\ I_ Uj
M. L. Ebert, Jr. J.
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
For the Defendant
mtf
'RUE COPY FROM RECORD
in 7 tsrronv whereof, I Xat utlt? set my ! ant
, d/ e S04 c? io Co Carlisle, k-
/
10-24-'08 11:21 FROM-
Julie Maria Snyder
Plaintiff
V.
Michael Eugene Snyder
Defendant
T-112 P002/006 F-659
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON
: PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
No. 08-6169
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
' PROTECTION FROM ABUSE
FINAL ORDER OF COURT
Defendant's Name: Michael Eugene Snyder
Defendant's Date of Birth: October 2, 1960
Defendant's Social Security Number:
Names and Dates of Birth of All Protected Persons, including Plaintiff and
minor children:
Names Dates of Birth
1. Julie Maria Snyder January 28, 1966
Plaintiff or Protected Person(s) is/are:
[X) spouse or former spouse of Defendant
[Xl parent of a child with Defendant
[X] current or former sexual or intimate partner with Defendant
[ ] child of Plaintiff
[ ) child of Defendant
[ ] family member related by blood (consanguinity) to Defendant
C ] family, member related by marriage or affinity to Defendant
[ ] sibling (person who shares parenthood) of Defendant
[X] current or former cohabitant (person who lives with) Defendant.
Defendant was served in accordance with Pa. R.C.P. 1930.4 and provided
notice of the time, date and location of the hearing scheduled in this matter.
Appearances by Parties and/or Counsel:
. Plaintiff appeared personally and is represented by:
Grace E. D'Alo
10-24-'08 11;21 FROM- T-112 P003/006 F-659
. Defendant appeared personally and is represented by..
Samuel L. Andes
AND NOW, this 23rd Day of October, 2008 the court having jurisdiction over
the parties and the subject-matter, it is ORDERED, ADfUDGED and
DECREED as follows:
This order is entered by agreement without an admission. Without regard as to how the
order was entered, this is a final order of court subject to full enforcement pursuant to the
Protection From Abuse Act.
Plaintiff's request for a final protection order is granted.
5.
1. Defendant shall not abuse, stalk, harass, threaten or attempt to use physical
force that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury to Plaintiff or
any other protected person in any place where they might be found.
2. Defendant is completely evicted and excluded from the residence at:
7 Dewberry Court
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
or any other residence where Plaintiff or any other person protected under
this order may live. Exclusive possession of the residence is granted to
Plaintiff. Defendant shall have no right or privilege to enter or be present on
the premises of Plaintiff or any other person protected under this order.
3. Except as provided in Paragraph 5 of this order, Defendant is prohibited
from having ANY CONTACT with Plaintiff either directly or indirectly, or
any other person protected under this order, at any location, including but not
limited to any contact at Plaintiffs or other protected party's school, business,
or place of employment.
4. Except as provided in paragraph 5 of this order, Defendant shall not contact
Plaintiff, either directly or indirectly, or any other person protected under this
order, by telephone or by any other means, including through third persons.
Temporary custody of the minor children:
1. Zachary Michael Snyder
2. Benjamin Michael Snyder
shall be as follows:
• Custody and visitation of the above mentioned
children shall be determined by the Orders Issued by
10-24-'08 11;21 FROM-
T-112 P004/006 F-659
this court in Custody currently at Docket No. 06-1888.
Non-harassing, non-threatening, non-abusive contact
between the parties related to care, custody or at
custody exchanges shall not be deemed a violation of
this Order.
THIS ORDER SHALL NOT SUPERSEDE THE CURRENT
CUSTODY ORDER.
6. A certified copy of this Order shall be provided to the police department
where Plaintiff resides and any other agency specified hereafter:
Upper Allen Township Police Department
East Pennsboro Township Police Department
Lower Allen Township Police Department
Harrisburg City Police Department
7. All provisions of this order shall expire in 3 years on October 23, 2011.
NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT
VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER MAY RESULT IN YOUR ARREST ON
THE CHARGE OF INDIRECT CRIMINAL CONTEMPT WHICH IS
PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF UP TO $1,000 AND/OR. A JAIL SENTENCE
OF UP TO SIX MONTHS. 23 PA.C.S.A. §6114. VIOLATION MAY ALSO
SUBJECT YOU TO PROSECUTION AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES
UNDER THE PENNSYLVANIA CRIMES CODE. A VIOLATION OF THIS
ORDER MAY RESULT IN THE REVOCATION OF THE SAFEKEEPING
PERMIT, WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE IMMEDIATE
RELINQUISHMENT OF YOUR FIREARMS, OTHER WEAPONS AND
AMMUNITION TO THE SHERIFF. PLAINTIFF'S CONSENT TO
CONTACT BY DEFENDANT SHALL. NOT INVALIDATE THIS ORDER
WHICH CAN ONLY BE MODIFIED BY FURTHER ORDER OF COURT.
23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6108(g).
THIS ORDER IS ENFORCEABLE IN ALL FIFTY (50) STATES, THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TRIBAL LANDS, U.S. TERRITORIES AND
THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO UNDER THE VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN ACT, 18 U.S.C. §2265. IF YOU TRAVEL OUTSIDE
OF THE STATE AND INTENTIONALLY VIOLATE THIS ORDER, YOU
MAY BE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS UNDER
THAT ACT. 18 U.S.C §§2261-2262. IF YOU POSSESS A FIREARM OR
ANY AMMUNITION WHILE THIS ORDER IS IN EFFECT, YOU MAY BE
CHARGED WITH A FEDERAL OFFENSE EVEN IF THIS
PENNSYLVANIA ORDER DOES NOT EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT YOU
FROM POSSESSING FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION. 18 U.S.C. §922(g)
10-24-'08 11;21 FROM-
(s).
T-112 P005/006 F-659
NOTICE TO SHERI", POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
The police and sheriff who have jurisdiction over Plaintiffs residence OR any
location where a violation of this order occurs OR where Defendant may be
located, shall enforce this order. The court shall have jurisdiction over any
indirect criminal contempt proceeding, either in the county where the violation
occurred or where this protective order was entered. An arrest for violation of
paragraphs l through 5 of this order may be without warrant, based solely on
probable cause, whether or not the violation is committed in the presence of the
police or any sheriff. 23 Pa.C.S.A. §6113.
Subsequent to an arrest, and without the necessity of a warrant, the police
officer or sheriff shall seize all firearms, other weapons and ammunition in
Defendant's possession that were used or threatened to be used during the
violation of the protection order or during prior incidents of abuse and any
other firearms in Defendant's possession.
The Sheriff of Cumberland County..shall maintain:?ossession of 1he>`firearms,
other weapons or ammunition.urttil1urther order of.this court..
When Defendant is.placed..under.arrest for violationof.this order, Defendant
shall be taken to the appropriate authority .or-authorities before whom
Defendant is to be arraigned. A "Complaint for Indirect Criminal Contempt"
shall then be completed and signed by the police officer, sheriff OR plaintiff.
Plaintiffs presence and signature are not required to file the complaint.
If sufficient grounds for violation of this order are alleged, Defendant shall be
arraigned, bond set, if appropriate and both parties given notice of the date of
10-24-'08 11;21 FROM-
T-112 P006/006 F-659
BY THE COURT
Date M. L. Ebert, Jr., Judge
Entered pursuant to the consent of Plaintiff and Defendant:
Maria
Grace E. D'Alo Date
Attorney for Plaintiff
MidPenn Legal Services
401 East Louther Street
Carlisle PA 17013
Distribution to:
MidPenn Legal Services, Attorney for Plaintiff
Samuel L. Andes, Attorney for Defendant
Michael fAigene Snyder, Date
Defendant
Date
Samuel L. Andes Date
Attorney for Defendant
P.O. Box 168
Lemoyne, PA 17043
4C& &--
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
in Testimony whereof, 1 her,- unto set my hand
and the seal of said Court at Carlisle, Pa,
.. .... da ?c?
This. v of ....?..,...,
Prothonotary
Faxed and Mailed to PSP
C
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 06-1888
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this day of , 2008, upon review of the foregoing
Petition, it is Ordered that:
A. Lucy Johnston Walsh of the Children's Advocacy Clinic is appointed as
Guardian Ad Litem in this matter; and
B. The children shall have the right to continue counseling with Dr. Mark
Bigger.
BY THE COURT:
J.
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 06-1888
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant IN CUSTODY
PETITION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
AND NOW comes the Petitioner, Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Petition for Special Relief, and, in support
thereof, avers as follows:
L BACKGROUND
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania 17055.
2. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Father"),
an adult individual who currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania 17055.
3. The parties are the parents of Zachary M. Snyder, born on May 12, 1993,
and Benjamin M. Snyder, born on January 16, 1998.
4. Concurrent with the filing of this Petition, a Petition for Modification of
Custody has been filed, a copy of which is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "A,"
the contents of which are incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
II. REQUEST FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
A. Request for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem
5. Petitioner believes that an appointment of a guardian ad litem should be
made on an expedited basis given the traumatic incident that has recently occurred as
more fully described in the Petition for Modification.
6. Lucy Johnston Walsh with the Children's Advocacy Clinic of the Penn
State Dickinson School of Law has been appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem in other
cases in Cumberland County, and therefore has experience serving in this capacity.
7. Lucy Johnston Walsh has indicated that she is willing to serve as
Guardian Ad Litem in this case.
8. Petitioner believes and therefore avers that it is in the best interests of the
children that a guardian ad litem be appointed so that the children can speak with an
individual outside of the therapeutic context who can act as an intermediary between
the children and the Court.
B. Request For Permission to Continue Counseling
9. Shortly after the parties separated in 2006, mother attempted to get the
children involved in counseling to assist them in dealing with the issues associated with
the parties separation.
10. Although Father made this process extremely difficult and costly by
withholding his consent to counseling, with assistance of counsel, mother was able to
obtain counseling for the children with Dr. Mark Bigger.
11. The children have developed a relationship with Dr. Bigger and have
benefited as a result of that relationship.
-2-
12. Although father was well aware of the fact that the children were involved
in counseling, he did not participate in the counseling process until after he filed a
Petition to Modify Custody (behavior which is consistent with Zach's belief that the
positions that father has taken in this custody litigation have been "for show" rather than
for the best interests of the children).
13. To date, father has been minimally involved in children's counseling
process. In fact, in his May 2008 report, Dr. Shienvold found that "...Mike was not
proactive nor particularly supportive in finding Zach an individual therapist. The process
was delayed as a function of Mike's lack of response. When he responded, he stated
he was not going to be a part of the therapy. It was not until the custody evaluation was
initiated that Mike became a participant in Zach's therapy." (Dr. Shienvold's May 2008
Report, p. 16.)
14. Shortly after mother initiated the Protection from Abuse Proceedings,
Father, through counsel, advised that he would no longer agree to allow the children to
continue seeing Dr. Bigger. (Correspondence to this effect is attached hereto and
marked as Exhibit "B" )
15. Mother believes it is in the best interest of the children that they be
permitted to continue to see Dr. Bigger rather than being forced to select and develop a
relationship with a new counselor.
16. Given the fact that the parties have joint legal custody, barring an order of
court, father has the ability to deny the children access to the counselor with whom they
have established a relationship.
-3-
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court to
a) appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to act as an intermediary between the children and the
Court, so that their voices can be heard in this matter; and b) permit the children to
continue seeing Dr. Mark Bigger.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By.
J. Pau elvy quire
I.D o. 53 8
100 Pine treet
P.O. Bo 1166
Harrisbur , 108
(717) 232-5343
(7170 237-5300 (fax)
Dated: October 28, 2008 Attorneys for Petitioner
-4-
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing document are true and correct.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. §4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date; 0 L l
Ju a M, Snyder
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on the-2SV\daY of
,
2008, a true and correct copy of the foregoing document was served via facsimile and via
first class mail upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
525 North Twelfth Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
dicedIlle Armour
Secretary for J. Paul Helvy
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on the day of 2008, a
true and correct copy of the foregoing document was served via facsimile and via first class
mail upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
525 North Twelfth Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
4MW*llbeA r Secretary for J. Paul Helvy
s O
00
W
y?
v
-? rn
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
V. NO. 06-1888
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant IN CUSTODY
PETITION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
AND NOW comes the Petitioner, Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Petition for Special Relief, and, in support
thereof, avers as follows:
I. BACKGROUND
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania 17055.
2. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Father"),
an adult individual who currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania 17055.
3. The parties are the parents of Zachary M. Snyder, born on May 12, 1993,
and Benjamin M. Snyder, born on January 16, 1998.
4. Concurrent with the filing of this Petition, a Petition for Modification of
Custody has been filed, a copy of which is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "A,"
the contents of which are incorporated herein as if set forth in full.
11. REQUEST FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
A. Request for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem
5. Petitioner believes that an appointment of a guardian ad litem should be
made on an expedited basis given the traumatic incident that has recently occurred as
more fully described in the Petition for Modification.
6. Lucy Johnston Walsh with the Children's Advocacy Clinic of the Penn
State Dickinson School of Law has been appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem in other
cases in Cumberland County, and therefore has experience serving in this capacity.
7. Lucy Johnston Walsh has indicated that she is willing to serve as
Guardian Ad Litem in this case.
8. Petitioner believes and therefore avers that it is in the best interests of the
children that a guardian ad litem be appointed so that the children can speak with an
individual outside of the therapeutic context who can act as an intermediary between
the children and the Court.
B. Request For Permission to Continue Counseling
9. Shortly after the parties separated in 2006, mother attempted to get the
children involved in counseling to assist them in dealing with the issues associated with
the parties separation.
10. Although Father made this process extremely difficult and costly by
withholding his consent to counseling, with assistance of counsel, mother was able to
obtain counseling for the children with Dr. Mark Bigger.
11. The children have developed a relationship with Dr. Bigger and have
benefited as a result of that relationship.
-2-
12. Although father was well aware of the fact that the children were involved
in counseling, he did not participate in the counseling process until after he filed a
Petition to Modify Custody (behavior which is consistent with Zach's belief that the
positions that father has taken in this custody litigation have been "for show" rather than
for the best interests of the children).
13. To date, father has been minimally involved in children's counseling
process. In fact, in his May 2008 report, Dr. Shienvold found that "...Mike was not
proactive nor particularly supportive in finding Zach an individual therapist. The process
was delayed as a function of Mike's lack of response. When he responded, he stated
he was not going to be a part of the therapy. It was not until the custody evaluation was
initiated that Mike became a participant in Zach's therapy." (Dr. Shienvold's May 2008
Report, p. 16.)
14. Shortly after mother initiated the Protection from Abuse Proceedings,
Father, through counsel, advised that he would no longer agree to allow the children to
continue seeing Dr. Bigger. (Correspondence to this effect is attached hereto and
marked as Exhibit "B" )
15. Mother believes it is in the best interest of the children that they be
permitted to continue to see Dr. Bigger rather than being forced to select and develop a
relationship with a new counselor.
16. Given the fact that the parties have joint legal custody, barring an order of
court, father has the ability to deny the children access to the counselor with whom they
have established a relationship.
-3-
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court to
a) appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to act as an intermediary between the children and the
Court, so that their voices can be heard in this matter; and b) permit the children to
continue seeing Dr. Mark Bigger.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By
J. Pau elvy quire
I. o. 53 8
100 Pine treet
P.O. Bo 1166
Harrisbur , 108
(717) 232-5343
(7170 237-5300 (fax)
Dated: October 28, 2008 Attorneys for Petitioner
-4-
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing document are true and correct,
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa,
C,S, §4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities,
Date: , Q?VJID? r?-d-A-
Ju der
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
NOTICE AND ORDER TO APPEAR
You, Michael E. Snyder, Plaitniff, have been sued in court ito modify custody of
the children: Zachary M. Snyder and Benjamin M. Snyder.
You are ordered to appear in person at
on
2008, at m., for
a conciliation or mediation conference.
a pretrial conference.
a hearing before the court.
If you fail to appear as provided by this order, an order for custody, partial
custody or visitation may be entered against you or the court may issue a warrant for
your arrest.
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.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply with
the Americans with Disabilities 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.
BY THE COURT:
Dated: J.
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this day of , 2008, upon review of the foregoing
Petition, it is Ordered that:
A) Father will have periods of partial custody from Friday afternoon through
Sunday evening;
B) Father will engage in counseling. Father's partial custody is contingent upon
his continued involvement and participation in said counseling until such time as he is
released by his therapist;
C) A Guardian Ad Litem is appointed hereto to act as an intermediary between
the children and the Court, so that their voices can be heard in this matter; and
D) Children will continue to see Dr. Mark Bigger.
BY THE COURT:
J.
MICHAEL E. SNYDER,
Plaintiff
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-1888
Defendant IN CUSTODY
PETITION TO MODIFY CUSTODY
AND NOW comes the Petitioner, Julie M. Snyder, by and through her attorneys,
McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC and files this Petition to Modify Custody Schedule and, in
support thereof, avers as follows:
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. The Petitioner is Julie M. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Mother"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 7 Dewberry Court, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17055.
2. The Respondent is Michael E. Snyder (hereinafter referred to as "Father"), an
adult individual who currently resides at 908 Peachtree Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
17055.
3. The parties are the parents of Zachary M. Snyder, born on May 12, 1993, and
Benjamin M. Snyder, born on January 16, 1998.
4. The parties separated in March 2006.
5. Since that time, Dr. Arnold Shienvold has conducted two separate custody
evaluations. The first evaluation concluded with a report issued on August 11, 2006, and
the second evaluation concluded with a report issued on May 20, 2008.
6. Dr. Shienvold recommended in his first custody evaluation that the boys
spend alternating weekends from Friday after school until Monday morning, every
Wednesday after school until Thursday, and alternating Monday evenings from after school
until 8 p.m. with their Father, Mother agreed to the entry of an Order as recommended by
Dr. Shienvold, except she agreed to make the alternating Mondays an overnight rather than
simply a period of time from after school until 8 p.m.
7. An Order was entered on September 8, 2006, consistent with this agreement.
8. The second evaluation reveals that Zach stated that he continues to hold a
grudge for his Father for hitting him in the past, and also stated that he feels that his father
only wants custody of him "for show." Ben reported that although his Father has never hit
him, he did see the things that happened to Zach. Ben stated that "when nothing is wrong, I
feel safe to be around dad, but when something is wrong, I don't feel that way." By
"something wrong," Ben stated that he meant if his Father had a bad day. (See Dr.
Shienvold's report of May 20, 20098, pp. 13-14.)
9. In spite of Dr. Shienvold's findings regarding the children's concerns as they
relate to their Father, he concluded in a second evaluation that "the current evaluation does
not reveal any significant change in the overall living situations that would warrant a need
for change in the custody arrangement."
10. On August 13, 2008, the date scheduled for trial on cross-petitions for
modification of the existing order by the parties, an agreement was reached confirming the
alternating weekend continuing the every other Wednesday after school until Thursday
morning partial custody for Father, but deleting the Monday period of partial custody. A true
and correct copy of said Order is attached hereto and marked Exhibit "A."
11. It had been Mother's sincere hope that by agreeing to a Custody Order which
was substantially similar to the prior Custody Order, that she would be able to keep the
peace and reduce the hostility and conflict that existed between her and Father.
-2-
II. THE OCTOBER 9, 2008 INCIDENT RESULTING IN
THE ENTRY OF A PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER
12. Unfortunately, on October 9, 2008, when Mother arrived at Father's house to
pick up the children, Father slammed the car door on Plaintiffs leg, as Mother attempted to
effectuate the exchange of the children. He then grabbed Mother by both upper arms, lifting
her off the ground, shaking her and then slammed her down hard on the ground. All the
while making comments such as "You need to learn to listen, "Oh that hurts," "Oh too bad,"
and "Scared, Julie?" All of this occurred in the presence of young Ben.
13. As a result of this incident, a Protection From Abuse Complaint was filed, and
a Temporary Order was entered on October 24, 2008 with a permanent order being entered
on October 24, 2008. A copy of the permanent Order is attached hereto and marked
Exhibit "B."
III. REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY ORDER
14. Since this incident occurred, both boys have expressed fear and concern
about going to Father's house.
15. Mother believes and therefore avers that although it is important that the boys
have an ongoing relationship with Father, it is in the children's best interest that Father's
time with the children be limited to every other weekend from Friday at a specified time until
Sunday evening at a specified time.
16. The midweek periods of partial custody have proven to be increasingly
disruptive to the children, particularly given the degradation in the parties' relationship
associated with Father's behavior.
17. Although Dr. Shienvold recommended in his first evaluations that Father
engage in counseling so that he could "begin to explore the impact of some of his early
-3-
experiences on his parenting, as well as deal with some of the issues he has with
interpersonal relationships," Dr. Shienvold found that Father had attended very few
sessions by the time of the May 2008 evaluation. (Dr. Shienvold's May 2008 Report, p. 16.)
18. Dr. Shienvold found in the May 2008 evaluation that "Mike does a very poor
job of masking his anger and disdain for Julie, and has not worked on that issue in his
therapy."
19. Based on Dr. Shienvold's recommendations and on the recent incident of
physical abuse, Mother believes that it is imperative that Father commence a regular course
of treatment and therapy.
20. Mother believes that until Father becomes more fully involved in counseling,
which includes an anger management component, that the children are in danger of
becoming victims of Father's anger.
21. Concurrent with the filing of this Petition, Mother is filing a separate Petition, a
copy of which is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "C," requesting the a) appointment
of a Guardian Ad Litem in order to provide the children with an individual with whom they
can confer outside of the context of a therapeutic setting, who can then act as an
intermediary between the children and the Court; and b) requesting that an Order be
entered permitting the children to continue seeing Dr. Mark Bigger.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests this Honorable Court to
A) Modify the existing Custody Order in order to provide Father with periods of
partial custody from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening;
B) Require Father to engage in counseling, and make Father's periods of partial
custody contingent upon his continued involvement and participation in said counseling until
such time as he is released from counseling by his therapist;
-4-
C) Appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to act as an intermediary between the children
and the Court, so that their voices can be heard in this matter; and
D) Permit the children to see Dr. Mark Bigger.
Respectfully submitted,
McNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC
By r.
J. Paul H vy, Esquire
I.D. No 3148
10 ine Street
.O. Box 1166
Harrisburg, PAS
(717) 232-5343
(7170 237-5300 (fax)
Dated: October 28, 2008 Attorneys for Petitioner
-5-
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the foregoing document are true and correct,
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. §49D4, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities,
Date: YM, JSnyder.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on thec Si' day of 2008, a
true and correct copy of the foregoing document was served via facsimile and via first class
mail upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
525 North Twelfth Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
4Mille Armour
Secretary for J. Paul Helvy
OCT-24-2008(FRI) 09:01
MA ZING A001 *15;
R O. DOS Joe
I.MNOYNK. 1% 17040-01t"
X-MJ,IL! f+ %A W-0-4m-
Dr. Mark Bigger
Pinnacle Health Psychological Associates
205 S. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17105
24 October 2008
RE. Zachary & Benjamin Snyder
Dear Dr. Bigger.
P. 0021002
Y'KLItY110M K
(717) 701-3001
TAX
(7171 "1.1433
I represent Michael Snyder in what has proven to be a long and very difficult custody
relationship with his wife, Julie. At Julie's request and insistence, their two sons, Zachary and
Benjamin have been working with you on a personal counseling program for sometime. My
client has attempted to become involved in the counseling program and has repeatedly
attempted to communicate with you about the work you are doing with his sons. You have
failed or refused to involve him in the counseling program in any meaningful way and recently
have refused to communicate with him. Frankly, I find it very difficult to understand how you
can work with the boys, in any serious therapeutic way, without receiving information from both
of their parents. Since I assume you are communicating with Julie Snyder, I can only draw the
conclusion that you are receiving information about the boys only from her. Since the boys are
involved in the midst of the custody dispute between her parents, receiving information from
only one side of that dispute prevents you from performing your function in a competent or
impartial fashion.
Michael Snyder has shared legal custody of the boys with his wife. Under the
circumstances, we cannot agree to have you continue to work with the boys. Your refusal to
communicate with Mr. Snyder and your apparent partiality, makes it impossible for us to have
any confidence in your professional performance. Accordingly, you are directed to cease all
further counseling sessions with the boys unless we can work something out that will assure the
equal participation of both parents and a meaningful show of progress in your counseling
program-
If you have any questions about this, please contact my office directly. In the meantime,
please discontinue all counseling sessions with the boys.
Sincerely,
amh
Samuel Hndes, Esq.
(FRX)717 761 1435
SAMUEL L. ANDES
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
525 NOU= TWJS'YA#Tn 24TUMGV
P. a nox Wu
7XWOYNX. ARNNSYLVANIA 17043
Samuel L. Andes
cc: J. Paul Helvy, Esquire
Mr. Michael E. Snyder
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on the,7&V\day of /d b-?e?,
2008, a true and correct copy of the foregoing document was served via facsimile and via
first class mail upon the following:
Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
525 North Twelfth Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Jelle Armour
Secretary for J. Paul Helvy
0o T?
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
DEFENDANT NO. 06-1888 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 31St day of October, 2008, upon consideration of Julie M.
Snyder's Petition for Special Relief,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERD AND DIRECTED that Lucy Johnston-Walsh, Esquire,
of the Children's Advocacy Clinic is appointed Guardian Ad Litem for the children of the
Parties.
In regard to the issue of continued counseling with Dr. Mark Bigger,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that a hearing on this matter will be
held on Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the
Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In the interim, IT IS
FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the children shall continue counseling with
Dr. Mark Bigger.
By the Court,
N,-4,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
? Samuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Paul Helvey, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
./?Lucy Johnston-Walsh, Esquire, GAL
Cop 10-S rnat tccL
I
,1(1a19*
Court Administrator , gAS 11???og
bas
V! N N il,4 -1
Qimno
? 0 -.Oi V £- AON 9002
AM
MICHAEL E. SNYDER IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2006-1888 CIVIL ACTION LAW
JULIE M. SNYDER
IN CUSTODY
DEFENDANT
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Tuesday, November 04, 2008 , upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Dawn S. Sunday, Esq. , the conciliator,
at 39 West Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 at 11:30 AM
for a Pre-Hearing Custody Conference. At such conference, an effort 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. Failure to appear 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: /s/ Dawn S. Sunday, Esq. j I&
Custody Conciliator
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) 249-3166
?P? . I'- T" '4V 5 67-?,7
%: 1
S5
JAN ? F 2009 4
MICHAEL E. SNYDER IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. 06-1888 CIVIL ACTION LAW
JULIE M. SNYDER
Defendant IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this day of 0.hv ax -4 2009, upon
consideration of the attached Custody Conciliation Report, it is o dered and directed as follows:
1. Pending further Order of Court or agreement of the parties, the prior Order of this Court
dated August 13, 2008 shall continue in effect.
2. The Guardian Ad Litem for the Children shall contact the Children's counselor, Dr. Mark
Bigger to attempt to arrange an appointment between the Father and Dr. Bigger to take place prior to
the hearing currently scheduled in this matter for February 12, 2009 on the issue of the Children's
continued participation in counseling with Dr. Bigger. The purpose of the meeting shall be to provide
the Father with an opportunity to discuss with the Children's counselor, without the counselor
disclosing confidential communications with the Children, the counselor's goals for the counseling, the
means to achieve the goals of counseling and possible suggestions for ways in which the Father can
contribute to the goals of the Children's counseling. It is anticipated that following the meeting
between the Father and Dr. Bigger, the Father will reassess the necessity of proceeding with the
hearing scheduled for February 12, 2009 on the issue of whether the Children should continue in
counseling with Dr. Bigger.
3. Within ten (10) days of the date of this Order, the parties shall contact the appropriate school
personnel to schedule meetings on each Child's school performance and progress for the purpose of
identifying concerns and establishing plans to address any concerns. Both parents and the Guardian
Ad Litem for the Children shall attend the meetings.
4. The parties shall cooperate in further considering the possibility of initiating co-parenting
counseling to establish sufficient communication and cooperation to enable them to effectively co-
parent the Children and promote the Children's emotional well-being.
BY THE COURT,
?*t ?
M. L. Ebert, Jr. J.
cc: el L. Andes, Esquire - Counsel for Father
*uI Helvy, Esquire - Counsel for Mother
ucy Johnston-Walsh, Esquire - GAL for the Children
}i'i - I I NN L Z 14V 5092
MICHAEL E. SNYDER
Plaintiff
vs.
JULIE M. SNYDER
Defendant
Prior Judge: M. L. Ebert, Jr.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
06-1888 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 1915.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
1. The pertinent information concerning the Children who are the subjects of this litigation is as
follows:
NAME DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN CUSTODY OF
Zachary M. Snyder May 12, 1993 Mother/Father
Benjamin M. Snyder January 16, 1998 Mother/Father
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on January 15, 2009, with the following
individuals in attendance: the Father, Michael E. Snyder, with his counsel, Samuel L. Andes, Esquire,
the Mother, Julie M. Snyder, with her counsel, J. Paul Helvy, Esquire, and Lucy Johnston-Walsh,
Esquire and Amanda Franzen of the Children's Advocacy Clinic, who have been appointed Guardian
Ad Litem for the Children by Order of this Court dated October 31, 2008.
3. The parties agreed to entry of an Order in the form as attached.
G,n u aw, moo, ?cao 9
Date cr- Dawn S. Sunday, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
MICHAEL E. SNYDER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
JULIE M. SNYDER,
DEFENDANT NO. 06-1888 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 10th day of February, 2009, upon consideration of the request
from Counsel for the Defendant and with the concurrence of Counsel for Plaintiff,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERD AND DIRECTED that the hearing scheduled for
Thursday, February 12, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland
County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania is continued generally. Either party may
request that the hearing be rescheduled if needed.
vKamuel L. Andes, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Paul Helvey, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
,, cy Johnston-Walsh, Esquire, GAL
bas
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
J
eel
/,o
0
kNOCY-
6 S -.6 WV 01 93.E 6601
rfi lls i+ : <L ud 3HI JO