HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-3649KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO.~::;'~ - ..3'~, ~ ~ 2002
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
NOTICE TO DEFEND AND CLAIM RIGHTS
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the
claims set forth in the following pages, you must take prompt action. You are warned
that if you fail to do so, the case may proceed without you and a decree of divorce or
annulment may be entered against you by the court. A judgment may also be entered
against you for any other claim or relief requested in these papers by the Plaintiff. You
may lose money or property or other rights important to you, including custody or
visitation of your children.
When the grounds for the divorce is indignities or irretrievable breakdown of
the marriage, you may request marriage counseling. A list of marriage counselors is
available in the Office of the Prothonotary at Room 101, Dauphin County Courthouse,
Front and Market Streets, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A CLAIM FOR ALIMONY, DIVISION OF
PROPERTY, LAWYER'S FEES OR EXPENSES BEFORE THE DIVORCE OR
ANNULMENT IS GRANTED, YOU MAY LOSE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM ANY OF THEM.
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.
Lawyer Referral Service
Cumberland County Bar Association
2 Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO.c~,~.~,,._ 2002
:
: CIVlLACTION ~ LAW
IN DIVORCE
AND NOW, comes the Plaintiff, Kevin S. Meeker, by and through his
attorneys, Wix, Wenger & Weidner, and files the within Complaint against the
Defendant, averring as follows:
Count I - Divorce Under SP~cti(3n ~.301 !c) and 3301 (d) of the Divorce Code
1. Plaintiff is Kevin S. Meeker, an adult individual who currently resides at
2433 Rolling Hills Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17055, since February 22, 1999.
2. Defendant is Tammy L. Meeker, an adult individual who currently
resides at 19 Neponsit Lane, Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011,
since June 28, 2002.
3. Plaintiff and Defendant have been bona fide residents of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for at least six months immediately previous to the
filing of this Complaint.
4. The Plaintiff and Defendant were married on March 27, 1993 in West
Lawn, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
5. The Plaintiff and Defendant are both citizens of the United States of
America and are not members of the Armed Forces.
6. The Plaintiff and Defendant were last separated from each other on
May 15, 2002 and have lived separate and apart from each other since that time.
7. There have been no prior actions of divorce or for annulment between
the parties in this or any other jurisdiction and this action is not collusive.
8. The marriage is irretrievably broken.
9. Plaintiff has been advised that counseling is available and that Plaintiff
may have the right to request that the Court require the parties to participate in
counseling.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Honorable Court to enter a Decree of
Divorce pursuant to Section 3301(c) or 3301(d) of the Divome Code.
10. Paragraphs 1 through 9 hereof are incorporated herein by reference as
if set forth in full.
11. Plaintiff seeks shared legal and partial physical custody of the parties two
minor children, Cody S. Meeker, born December 12, 1995, age 6 and Samantha A. Meeker
born August 3, 1998, age 3.
The children were not born out of wedlock. The children are presently in the custody
of their mother, Tammy L. Meeker, who resides at 19 Neponsit Lane, Camp Hill,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011.
During the past five years, the children have resided with the following persons:
PERSONS ADDRESS DATE
Kevin S. Meeker and Tammy L. 2433 Rolling Hills Drive Date of Birth
to June 28,
Meeker Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 2002
Tammy L. Meeker 19 Neponsit Lane, June 28,
2002 to the
Camp Hill, PA 17011
present
The mother of the children is Tammy L. Meeker, currently residing at 19 Neponsit
Lane, Camp Hill, PA 17011. She is married to, but separated from the Plaintiff.
The father of the children is Kevin S. Meeker, currently residing at 2433 Rolling Hills
Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. He is married to, but separated from the
Defendant.
12. The relationship of the Plaintiff to the children is that of father. The
Plaintiff currently resides alone.
13. The relationship of the Defendant to the children is that of mother.
On information and belief, the Plaintiff avers that the Defendant currently resides
only with the children.
14. Plaintiff has not participated as a party or witness, or in another
capacity, in other litigation concerning the custody of the children in this or another
court. Plaintiff has no information of a custody proceeding concerning the children
pending in a court of this Commonwealth or any other state.
15. Plaintiff does not know of a person not a party to the proceeding
who has physical custody of the children or claims to have custody or visitation
rights with respect to the children.
16. The best interests and permanent welfare of the children will best
be served by granting the relief requested because the parties to this proceeding
are separated from one another, the Plaintiff is important to the raising and growth
of the children, and has a firm bond and relationship with the children. Further, it is
in the best interests of the children to have a stable and consistent schedule of
custody with the Plaintiff.
17. 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.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Honorable Court to
grant joint legal custody and shared physical custody of the children to the Plaintiff,
such shared physical custody of the Plaintiff to consist of at least every Monday and
Friday evening and one weekend each month, plus a sharing of holidays, vacation
time and other important events, and to grant such other relief as this court deems
just and appropriate.
I, verify that the statements made in this Complaint are true and
correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject ~:o the
penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. §4904, relating to unsworn falsificatiOn to authorities.
Kevin S. Meeker, Plaintiff
Respectf~Jly submitted,
WIX, V~TNGER & WEIDNER
. ~/S~'~en J. I~z~urani~squire
,' ~Attc~ney I.Dl ~5265~
/~ 508 North S~cond Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
(717) 234-4182
Date: July ~ , 2002 Attorney for Plaintiff
F:~sjd~5654 Meeker, Kevin\l 1812 Domestic Relations\Documents\Divorce Complaint.doc
KEVIN S. MEEKER
PLAINTIFF
TAMMY L. MEEKER
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
IN CUSTODY
:
ORDER OF COURT
02-3649 CIVIL ACTION LAW
AND NOW, Tuesday, August 06, 2002 , 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 301 Market Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 at 8:30 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. 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 ali 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. Greevy. 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 ATrORNEY 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
2 Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3166
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02 3649
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
I, Tammy L. Meeker, the Defendant in the above-captioned matter, do hereby
accept service of the Complaint In Divorce.
Tammy '[(L~ er
KEVIN S. MEEKER, :
Plaintiff :
v. : NO. 02-3649
:
TAMMY L. MEEKER, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant : IN CUSTODY
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENT
THIS CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENT ("Custody Agreement") is made as of
the ~?~ ~ ~ day of ~,., , 2002, by and between Tammy L. Ueeker (the
"Mother") and Kevin S. Meeker (the "Father"). Mother and Father are the parents of
two minor children, Cody S. Meeker (born December 12, 1995 - age 6) and Samantha
A. Meeker (born August 3, 1998 - age 4) (the "Children"). Mother and Father hereby
agree to the following parenting plan for the custody of the said Children:
1. The parties shall have joint legal custody, as defined in 23 Pa.C.S. § 5302,
of the minor Children; legal custody being defined as the legal right to make
major decisions affecting the upbringing of the Children, including but not limited
to medical, religious and educational decisions. The parties agree to discuss and
consult with one another on these decisions with a view to adopting a
harmonious policy calculated to promoting the Children's best interests. Both
parties shall have the right to share in major parenting decisions affecting the
health, education, welfare and religious activities of the Children.
2. Mother and Father shall share physical custody in accordance with the
following schedule:
Exhibit A
a. Father shall have physical custody every Monday from 5:00 p.m. until
Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. or arrange to transport them to school, if
appropriate, and every Friday from 5:00 p.m. until Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
b. Father shall have physical custody during the first weekend of each
calendar month (the weekend after the first Friday of the calendar month)
from 5:00 p.m. on Friday until 5:00 p.m. on the subsequent Sunday.
c. Mother shall have physical custody at all other times.
3. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the following shall also apply as to both
Children:
a. Mother shall have every Mother's Day and Father shall have every
Father's Day, from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 7:00 p.m. on the day.
b. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Father shall have Thanksgiving
Day from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 9:00 a.m. on the following
Friday. In 2003 and all odd-numbered years, Mother shall have
Thanksgiving Day from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 9:00 a.m. the
following Friday.
c. It is the intention of the parties that both parents have Christmas
morning with the Children together. In 2002 and all even-numbered years,
Mother shall have Christmas Day from 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Day until
9:00 a.m. December 26. In 2003 and all odd-numbered years, Father
shall have Christmas Day from 2:00 p.m. on Christmas day until 9:00 a.m.
on December 26.
d. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Father shall have New Years
from 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day. In
2003 and all odd-numbered years, Mother shall have New Years Eve from
6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day.
e. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Mother shall have Easter from
6:00 p.m. on the day before until 9:00 p.m. on Easter Day. In 2003 and all
odd-numbered years, Father shall have Easter from 6:00 p.m. on the day
before until 9:00 p.m. on Easter Day.
4. The parties agree that the holiday and Mother's Day/Father's Day schedules
will supercede (but otherwise be unaffected thereby) the regular schedule, which
will resume thereafter.
5. For purposes of vacation time, the calendar will be divided into two parts: Part
A will consist of January 1st through June 30th of each year and Part B will consist
of July Ist through December 31st of each year. Each parent shall be entitled to a
one-week (seven consecutive days) for vacation with both Children during each
Part A and Part B. Additionally, each party shall be entitled to another one-week
(seven consecutive days) for vacation during one of the following holidays:
Christmas, if that year is scheduled for the person taking the vacation week,
Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4. Thirty-day (30) notice must be given to the
other party of the intention to take the vacation time. In the event of a conflict of
a selected vacation, the party first giving notice to the other party shall be entitled
to the selected week. In no event shall either party schedule a vacation if such
will interfere with the holiday schedule set forth in paragraph 3 above.
6. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the party responsible for
receiving the Children shall provide the transportation.
7. Each parent is entitled to receive information concerning the Children directly
from schools, health care providers, or other relevant sources.
8. Each parent shall encourage the Children to comply with the parenting
agreement and shall attempt to foster in the Children a positive view of the other
parent.
9. Each parent shall keep the other parent informed with an address and
telephone number at which the Children will be while in their custody. Each
parent shall be entitled to reasonable telephone contact with the Children while
the Children are in the custody of the other parent.
10. The parties may decide different time arrangements other than those
provided for in the Custody Agreement and make decisions for the Children
whenever they mutually agree to do so. Nothing in this Custody Agreement is
understood to limit or restrict the ability of the parties to mutually agree on
alternative parenting arrangements. If for any reason the parties cannot agree,
the terms of this Custody Agreement will be followed.
11. During any period of custody or visitation, the parties shall not possess or
use any controlled substance, nor shall they consume alcoholic beverages to the
point of intoxication, or subject the child to any unlawful activities. The parties
shall use their best efforts to assure that other household members and/or
houseguests comply with this prohibition.
12. The parties further agree to, and do hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the
courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for purposes of the instant matter,
and that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be the "home state" of the
Children for all purposes.
13. The parties agree that this Stipulation shall be made an Order of the Court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND hereby,
Mother and Father have execute this Custody Agreement as of the day and year first
above written.
WITNESS:
MOTHER:
Tammy~. Meeker
WITNESS:
FATHER:
Kevin S. Meeker
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER TO RELINQUISH JURISDICTION
AND NOW, this 17th day of September, 2002, the parties having reached an agreement
which has been memorialized in a Stipulation and filed with this Court, the Conciliator hereby
relinquishes jurisdiction of the above captioned matter.
FOR THE ~_T: ~"~
Custody Conciliator /
:162927
KEVIN S. MEEKER, :
Plaintiff :
:
v. : NO. 02-3649
:
TAMMY L. MEEKER, .' CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant : IN CUSTODY
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ORDER OFCOURT
AND NOW, this z ¥' day of September, 2002, upon consideration of the Child
Custody Agreement dated the 30th day of August, 2002, copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A, and is incorporated herein by reference, the said Child Custody
Agreement, is hereby approved and adopted as an Order of Court.
BY THE COURT:
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please enter the appearance
PRAECIPE
of Theresa Barrett Male,
Esquire as
counsel on behalf of
Defendam in this proceeding.
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
Date: February 24, 2003
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
DEFENDANT'S PETITION FOR MODIFICATION OF CUSTODY ORDER
AND FOR PLOWMAN HEARING ON RELOCATION REQUEST
1. The petition of defendant Tammy L. Meeker C'Mother") respectfully represents
that, on September 24, 2002, this Court entered a consent order for custody. A copy of the
order is attached as Exhibit 1.
The Order should be modified because, since entry of the order:
a.
bo
Mother has decided to relocate with the children, Cody S. Meeker (dob:
12/12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker (dob: 08/02/98), from Camp Hill,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to Lusby, Maryland.
As more particularly set forth in Mother's application for special relief,
which she is filing concurrently with this ]petition, she has serious concerns
about Father's erratic and volatile behavior, and fears for the safety and
the welfare of her children. A copy of' the special relief application is
attached as Exhibit 2.
o
c. Father was cited by the Lower Allen Township police for harassment
against Mother.
Factors militating in favor of Mother's relocation with the children include:
a. Mother is, and has been, the children's primary caregiver.
b. Mother has no support system here.
c. Mother has no immediate family here. Her mother resides in Ebensburg,
Pennsylvania, near Johnstown. Mother's brother lives in Johnstown,
which is where Mother grew up.
d. Mother's sister and her children reside in Lusby, Calvert County,
Maryland.
e. Mother has employment opportunities Maryland.
f. Maryland also offers Mother non-economic factors which likely will
contribute to Mother's well-being and general happiness.
g. The move will enhance the quality o:~' Mother's life and that of the
children.
h. The potential advantages of the move outweigh the disadvantages.
i. Mother will be returning to a network of family and friends.
j. The move will improve the quality of life for Mother and the children.
k. Mother is not motivated by a desire to frustrate Father's partial custody
rights or impede his relationship with the children.
1. There are realistic substitute visitation arrangements to ensure Father's
contacts with the children.
2
m. When Mother informed Father of her plans, he initially consented,
providing Mother made certain financial concessions to him. He now
opposes the move.
n. Father's failure to pay child support and apl timely, as required by the
parties' marital settlement agreement, has placed Mother in economic
jeopardy, including a risk of losing her home. Mother was forced to
borrow money from her family to make her May mortgage payment and to
secure necessities for herself and the children.
o. Father grew up in Jefferson, New Jersey. His parents and his brother
reside in Jacksonville, Florida. Although his sister lives in Dingman's
Ferry, Pennsylvania, he rarely speaks with her.
4. Pennsylvania favors relocation of the primary caregiver. ~
5. This Court has granted relocation petitions over the objections of the non-
custodial parent. 2
6. The children's best interests and permanent welfare will be served by relocating to
Maryland with Mother in advance of the 2003-2004 school year'.
i See, e.g., Lee v. Fontine, 594 A.2d 724 (Pa. Super. 1991) (allowing mothe, r to relocate to Washington state);
Kaneski v. Kaneski, 604 A.2d 1075 (Pa. Super. 1992) (allowing mother to relocate to New York); Vineski v.
Vineski, 675 A.2d 722 (Pa. Super. 1996) (allowing mother to relocate to Tennessee); Gancas v. Schultz, 683 A.2d
1207 (Pa. Super. 1996) (reversing order denying mother' s petition to relocate to New Jersey); Mealy v. Arnold, 733
A.2d 652 (Pa. Super. 1999) (reversing order denying mother's petition to relocate to North Carolina); Ferdinand v.
Ferdinand, 763 A.2d 820 (Pa. Super. 2000) (reversing order denying mother's petition to relocate to Michigan);
Boyer v. Schake, 799 A.2d 124 (2003) (reversing order denying mother's peti[tion to relocate to Virginia.
2 See, e.g., Hyde v. Hyde, # 97-5832, Hoffer, J. (allowing mother to relocate to Florida), affirmed on appeal;
Krusen v. Krusen, # 94-7082, Oler, J. (allowing mother to relocate to North Dakota).
7. The trial court must set an evidentiary hearing in advance of the relocation, or, in
exigent circumstances, shortly thereafter. Plowman v. Plowman, 597 A.2d 701 (Pa. Super.
1991).
Wherefore, defendant requests the court promptly to set this matter for a Plowman
hearing and thereafter to modify the existing custody order because it will be in the best interests
of the children to relocate with defendant to Maryland.
Date: May 12, 2003
Theresa Bm'rett Male, Esquire
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-:t220
Counsel for Defendant
4
VERIFICATION
I, Tammy L. Meeker, state upon personal knowledge or information and belief that the
averments set forth in the foregoing document are tree.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
§ 4904, relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
Exhibit 1
01/_0._8/2003 09:59. _F,~ 763 1907
,
~.002
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
Vm
TAMMY L MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649
CIVIL ;ACTION -. LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this .~ y ~ day of September, 2002, upon consideration of the Child
Custody Agreement dated the 30~*day of August, 2002, copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A, and is inCorporated herein by reference, the said Child Custody
Agreement, is hereby approved and adopted as an Order of Court.
· BY THE COURT:
01/08/2003 10:00 FAX 763 1907
REAGEI~&AI)LER
~00~
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
NO. 02-3649
CIVIL ~ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
CHILD CUSTODY A. ,GREEMENT
THIS CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENT ( Custody Agreement") is ~B-~.~e e~of
the
day of .. ~ ,2002, by and between Tammy L~eke~ (th~r~
two minor children, Cody S. Meeker (bom December 12, '! 995 - age 6) and Samantha
A. Meeker ('bom August 3, 1998 - age 4) (the "Children"), Mother and Father hereby
agree to the following parenting plan for the custody of thE; said Children:
1. The parties shall have joint legal custody, as; defined in 23 Pa, C,S. § 5302,
of the minor Children; legal custody being defined as the legal right to make
major decisions affecting the upbringing of the Children, 'including but not limited
to medical, religious and edUcational decisions. The parties agree to discuss and
consult with one another on these decisions with a view to adopting a
,,
harmonious policy calculated to promoting the Children's best interests. Both
parties shall have the right to share in major parenting decisions affecting the
health, education, welfare and religious activities of the Children.
2. Mother and Father shall share physical custody in accordance with the
following schedule:
01/0~/2003 10:00 FiX 763 1907
- .. REAGER&ADLER
OO4
a. Father shall have physical custody every Monday from 5:00 p.m. until
Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. or arrange to transport them to school, if
appropriate, and every Friday from 5:00 p.m. until Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
b. Father shall have physical custody during the first weekend of each
calendar month (the weekend after the first Friday of the calendar month)
from 5:00 p,m, on Fdday until 5;00 p,m. on the Subsequent Sunday.
c. Mother shall have physical custody'at all other times.
3. Notwithstanding the above schedule, the following shall also apply as to both
Children:
a. Mother shall have every Mother's Day and Father shall have every
Father's Day, from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 7:00 p,m. on the day.
b, In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Father shall have ThanksgMng
Day from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 9:00 a,m, on the following
Friday. In 2003 and all odd,numbered years, Mother shall have
ThanksgMng Day from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 9:00 a.m. the
following Friday.
c. It is the intention of the parties that both parents have Christmas
morning with the Children together, In 2002 and all even-numbered years,
Mother shall have Christmas Day from 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Day until
9:00 a,m. December 26. In 2003 and all odd,numbered years, Father '
shall have ChriStmas Day from 2:00 p.m. on Christmas day .until 9:00 a.m.
on December 26.
01/08/2003
10:00 FAX 763 ~907 ~ REAGEI~3~OLER
~005
d. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Father shall have New Years
from 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day. In
2003 and all odd-numbered years, Mother shall have New Years Eve from
6:00 p.m, until 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day.
e. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Mother shall have Easter from
6:00 p,m. on the day before until 9:00 p.m. on Easter Day. In 2003 and all
odd-numbered yearn, Father shall have Easter from 6:00 p,m, on the day
before, until 9:00 p.m. on Easter Day.
4. The parties agree that the holiday and Mother's Day/Father's Day schedules
will supercede (but othenvis'e be unaffected thereby) the regular schedule, which
will resume thereafter.
5. For purposes of vacation time, the calendar Will be divided into two parts: Part
A will consist of Janua~/Is~ through June 30a of each'year and Part B will consist
of July lS~ through December 31~t of each year. Each parent shall be entitled to a
one-week (seven consecutive days) for vacation with both Children during each
Part A and Part B'. Additional!y, each party shall be entitled to another one-week
(seven consecutive days) for vacation during one of the following holidays:
Christmas, if that year is scheduled for the person taking the vacation week,
Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4. Thirty-day (30) notice must be given to the
other party of the intention to take the vacation time. In the event of a conflict of
aselected vacation, the party first giving notice to the other party shall be entitled
01/08/2003 10:00 FAX 763 1907 REAGEI~ADLER ~006
to the selected week. In no event shall either party schedule a vacation if such
will interfere with the holiday schedule set forth in paragraph 3 above.
6. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the party responsible for
receiving the Children shall provide the transportation.
7. Each parent is entitled to receive information concerning the Children directly
from schools, health Care providers, or Other relevant sources.
8. Each parent shall encourage the Children to comply with the parenting
agreement and shall attempt to foster in the Children a positive view of the other
parent..
9. Each parent shall keep the other parent informed with an address and
telephone number at which the Children will be 'while in their custody, Each
parent shall be entitled to reasonable telephone contact with the Children while
the Children are in the custody of the other parent.
10. The parties may decide different time arrangements other than those
provided for in the Custody Agreement and make deoisions for the Children
whenever they mUtually agree to do so. Nothing in this Custody Agreement is
understood to limit or restrict the ability of the parties to mutually agree on
alternative parenting arrangements. If for any reason the parties cannot agree,
the terms of this .Custody Agreement will be followed.
11. During any period of custody or visitation, the p,arties shall not possess or
use any controlled substance, nor shall they consume alcoholic beverages to the
point of intoxication, or subject the child to any unlawful activities. The parties
01/08/2003 10:00 FAX 763 1907
REAGEl~ADLER
· ;
007
shall use their best efforts to assure that other household members and/or.
houseguests comply w'ah this prohibition.
12. The parties further agree to, and do hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the
courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for purposes of the instant matter,
and that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be the "home state" of the
Children for all purposes.
13. The parties agree that this Stipulation shall be made an Order of the Court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND hereby,
Mother and Father have execute this Custody Agreement as of the day and year first
above written.
WITNESS:
MOTHER:
mmy~..~eeker - .
WITNESS:
FATHER:
Kev/n S. Meeker
Exhibit 2
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
Vo
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendam
AND NOW, May
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
,2003, the Court (;RANTS Defendant's Application
for Special Relief. Within five (5) days of the date of this order, Plaintiff shall comact
Interworks, 4435A North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 [717-236-6630] to arrange for six
(6) supervised visits with the parties' children, Cody S. Meeker (dob: 12/12/95) and Samantha
A. Meeker (dob: 08/02/98). Plaintiff shall pay the costs associated with the visits.
Upon conclusion of the supervised visits, the supervising therapist shall submit a
summary to the parties' counsel recommending additional supervision, or a remm to the partial
custody schedule set forth in the September 24, 2002 order.
BY THE COURT:
Kevin A. Hess, J.
Distribution:
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esq., 508 N. Second St., P.O. Box 845, Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Theresa Barrett Male, Esq., 513 North Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17101
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
Vo
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
DEFENDANT'S APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL RELIEF
PURSUANT TO 1915.13
1. Plaintiff Kevin S. Meeker ("Father") and Defendant Tammy L. Meeker
("Mother") are the parents of Cody S. Meeker (dob: 12/12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker (dob:
08/02/98).
2. On September 24, 2002, this court, per the Honorable Kevin A. Hess entered an
order incorporating the terms of the parties' custody agreement. A copy of the order is attached
as Exhibit 1.
3. Concurrently with filing this application, Mother' is filing a petition to modify the
order so that she can relocate with the children to Maryland.
4. Mother believes and therefore avers that the ctfildren's physical and emotional
safety and well-being may be compromised without immediate court intervention, as more
particularly set forth below:
a. On May 1, 2003, Mother delivered the children to Father for his custody
period. Approximately one hour later, Father called Mother at work,
demanding that she come back for t]-ae children( Upon her arrival,
Mother observed the children and Father waiting for her in the driveway.
Father told Mother in front of the chilcken that he never wanted to see the
children again and would no longer support them.
b. On May 1, 2003, Cody informed Mother that his father kicked and hit
him during the hour that the children were with Father that morning.
Mother reported this to the Lower Allen Township Police.
c. Samantha told Mother about Father's behavior towards Cody. She also
told her teacher that Father kicked, hit and punched her brother.
d. Although Mother advised Father that she intended to retain custody of
both children on May 5, based on tile children's complaints, Father
attempted to secure custody with the assistance of the police. Both
children refused to go with Father, but he took Samantha anyway,
ignoring her screams and emotional upset.
e. Cody's pediatrician recommends a restriction on Cody's contact with his
Father at this time. 2
5. Mother credits the children's reports about Father, and understands their anxiety
about seeing him, in part because of Father's conduct towards Mother, including his citation by
the police for harassment last year.
His message was: "Tammy, you'd better come and get these kids - they're out of control."
Although Mother informed Father of the appointment, Father did not participate.
This Court has the authority to enter orders for interim or special relief:
At any time after the commencement of the action, the court on application or its
own motion may grant appropriate interim relief The relief may include but is not
limited to the award of temporary custody, partial custody or visitation; ....
Pa. R.C.P. 1915.13 (emphasis added).
7. The best interests of Cody and Samantha will be
contacts pending assessment by a qualified mental health professional.
served restricting Father's
Wherefore, defendant requests the court to enter an interim order suspending the partial
custody provisions of the extant custody order and directing supervised contacts between plaintiff
and the children.
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg,, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
Date: May 12, 2003
Exhibit 1
09:$~. FAX 7~B 1907 ::% RNAGERAADL~R
KEVIN S. MEEKER, :
Plaintiff :
.-
v. : NO. 02-3649
TAMMY L. MEEKER, : CIVIL 'ACTION - LAW
Defendant : IN CUSTODY
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS oF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this .~,/~ day of September, 2002, upon consideration of the Child
Custody Agreement dated the 30~ day of August, 2002, copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A, and is incorporated herein by reference, the said Child Custody
Agreement, is hereby approved and adopted as an Order of Court.
· BY THE COURT:
01/08/2003 IO:O0.FAX 7§3 1907
OO3
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
Va
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
NO. 02-3649
CIVIL ~ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
CHILD cUSTODY A.,GREEMENT ~ r~ ~
THIS CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENT ("Custody' Agreement") is _~'~e ~of ~
the ~~ ~ ~ day of ,. ,2002, by and be~een T~my L~ek~(~
"Mother") and Kevin S. Meeker (the "F~he~'). Mo~er ~d Fa~er are ~e ~re~ o~
~o minor children, Cody S. Meeker (bom December 12, 1995 - age 6) and Samantha
A. Meeker (born August 3, 1998 - age 4) (the 'Children"). Mother and Father hereby
agree to the following parenting plan for the custody of thE; said Children:
1. The parties shall have joint legal custody, as defined in 23 Pa, C,S. § 5302,
of the minor Children; legal custody being defined as the legal right to make
major decisions affecting the upbringing of the Children, 'including but not limited
to medical, religious and educational decisi°ns. The parties agree to discuss and
consult with one another on these decisions with a ,view to adopting a
harmonious polidy calculated to promoting the Children's best interests. Both
parties shall have the right to share in major parenting decisions affecting the
health, education, welfare and religious activities of the Children.
2. Mother and Father shall share physical custody in accordance with the
following schedule:
01/08/2003 10:00.FAX 7§3 190_.7_
- REAGER~ADI~R
004
a. Father shall have physical custody every Monday from 5:00 p.m. until
Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. or arrange to transport them to school, if
appropriate, and every Friday from 5'.00 p,m. until Saturday at 9',00 a.m,
b. Father shall have physical custody during the first weekend of each
calendar month (the weekend after the first Friday of the calendar month)
from 5:00 p,m, on Friday until 5:00 p,m. on the Subsequent Sunday.
c. Mother shall have physical custody'at all other times.
.3, Notwithstanding the above schedule, the following shall also apply as to both
Children:
a. Mother shall have every Mother's Day and Father shall have every
Father's Day, from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 7:00 p,m. on the day.
b, In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Father shall have ThanksgMng
Day from 6:00 p.m. on the day before until 9:00 a,m, On the following
Friday. In 2003 and all odd.numbered years, Mother shall have
Thanksgiving Day from 6:00 p.m, on the day before until 9:00 a,m, the
following Friday~
c. It is the intention of the parties that both parents have Christmas
morning with the Children together, In 2002 and all even-numbered years,
Mother shall have Christmas Day from 2:00 p.m, on Christmas Day until
9:00 a,m, December 26. In 2003 and all Odd-numbered years, Father '
shall have Christmas Day from 2:00 p.m. on Christmas dayuntii 9:00 a.m.
on December 26.
01/08/2005 10:.00,FAX ~3 1907 REAGER~k~DLER ~005
d. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Father shall have New Years
from 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day. In
2003 and all odd-numbered years, Mother shall have New Years Eve from
6:00 p.m, until 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Day.
e. In 2002 and all even-numbered years, Mother shall have Easter from
6:00 p,m. on the day before until 9:00 p.m. on Easter Day. In 2003 and all
odd-numbered year~, Father shall have Easter from 6:00 p.m, 'on the day
before, until 9:00 p.m. on Easter Day.
4. The parties agree that the holiday and Mother's Day/Father's Day schedules
will supercede (but otherwise be unaffected thereby) th® regular schedule, which
will resume thereafter.
5. For purposes of vacation time, the calendar Will be divided into two parts: Part
A will consist of January 1~ through June 30~ of each year and Part B will consist
of July Ist through December 31st of each year. Each parent shall be entitled to a
one-week (seven consecutive days) for vacation with both Children during each
Part A and Part B. Additional!y, each party shall be entitled to another one-week
(seven consecutive days) for vacation during one of the following holidays:
Christmas, if that year is scheduled for the person taking the vacation week,
Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4. Thirty-day (30) notice must be given to the
other party of the intention to take the vacation time, In the event of a conflict of
a'selected vacation, the party first giving notice to the other party shall be entitled
01~08/2003 [0:00.FAX 7~3 1907 " REAGEI~ADLER ~006
to the selected week. In no event shall either party schedule a vacation if such
will interfere with the holiday schedule set forth in paragraph 3 above.
6. Except as otherwise specifically set forth herein, the party responsible for
receiving the Children shall provide the transportation.
7. Each parent is entitled to receive information concerning the Children directly
from schools, health Care providers, or other releva, nt sources.
8. Each parent shall encourage the Children to comply with the parenting
agreement and shall attempt to foster in the Children a positive view of the other
parent..
9. Each parent Shall keep the other parent informed with an address and
telephone number at whiCh the Children will beWhile in their custody, Each
parent shall be entitled to reasonable telephone contact with the Children while
the Children are in the custody of the other parent.
10. The parties may decide different time arrangements other than those
provided' for in the Custody Agreement and make decisions for the Children
whenever they mutually agree to do so. Nothing in this Custody Agreement is
understood to limit or restrict the ability of the parties to mutually agree on
alternative parenting arrangements. If for any reason the parties cannot agree,
the terms of this .Custody Agreement will be followed.
11. During any period of custody or visitation, the parties shall not possess or
use any controlled substance, nor shall they consurne alcoholic beverages to the
point of intoxication, or subject the child to any unlawful activities. The parties
01/08/2003
10:00. FAZ 763 1907
REAG~LER
- ;
007
shall use their best efforts to assure that other household members and/or
houseguests comply w'~ this prohibition,
12. The parties further agree to, and do hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the
courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for purposes of the instant matter,
and that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be the 'home state" of the
Children for all purposes. '
13. The parties agree that this Stipulation shall be made an Order of the Court.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND hereby,
Mother and Father have execute this Custody Agreement as of the .day and year first
above written.
WITNESS:
MOTHER:
Tammy~.~Meeker
WITNESS:
FATHER:
Kevin S. Meeker
VERIFICATION
I, Tammy L. Meeker, state upon personal knowledge or information and belief that the
averments set forth in the foregoing document are true.
I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S.
§ 4904, relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
Tammy L. ~.eker 7'
'Date: .~-]o~ '- ,2003
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
PROOF OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that, pursuam to the requirements of Pa. R.C.P. 440, I served Stephen J.
Dzuranin, Esquire, counsel for Plaintiff in the above-referenced custody action, as follows:
Documents:
Time-stamped copy of Defendam's Petition for Modification of Custody
Order and Plowman Hearing on Relocation Request.
Time-stamped copy of Defendant's Application for Special Relief.
Date of Service:
Time of Service:
Place of Service:
Manner of Service:
Dated: May 14, 2003
May 14, 2003.
Not applicable.
Wix, Wenger & Weidner, 508 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA
Hand-delivery
(p~l~by, lb~ralega-11-I- ~
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 19th day of May, 2003, upon consideration of Defendant's
Application for Special Relief Pursuant to 1915.13, and following a telephone conference
with counsel for Plaintiff Kevin S. Meeker in the person of Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esq.,
and counsel for Defendant Tammy L. Meeker in the person of Theresa Barrett Male,
Esq., it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. Pursuant to an agreement of counsel, the parties and children
shall submit themselves to an evaluation at Interworks, 4435A North
Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, in connection with the
allegations of Defendant's application; and the cost of such
evaluation, to the extent not paid by insurance, shall be shared
equally by the parties, conditioned upon Plaintiff's prompt payment
of any arrearages due on his support obligations; and
2. Defendant's application is otherwise referred to the custody
conciliation process, and the Court Administrator is requested to
facilitate this referral.
BY THE COURT,
~] Wesley i31~.~!., ~'~.
Cumberland County Court Administrator
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esq.
508 N. Second Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Attorney for Plaintiff
Theresa Barrett Male, Esq.
513 N. Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
:rc
KEVIN S. MEEKER :
PLAINTIFF :
V. :
TAMMY L. MEEKER
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
02-3649 CIVIL ACTION LAW
~'CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Wednesday, May 21, 2003 , 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 301 Market Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at 10:30 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. All children age five or older may also be present at the conference. Failure to apl~ear 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.
FORTHE COURT.
By: /s/
Melissa P. Greevy, 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 (71.7) 249-3166
,JUN 2 ~ ZOO3 ~
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
iN CUSTODY
OLER, J. ---
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this ~ day of June, 2003, upon consideration of the attached
Custody Conciliation Summary Report, and it appearing that the parties are in need of a
hearing, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. Hearing. A hearing is scheduled in Courtroom Number 1 of the Cumberland
County Courthouse, on the 21st day of August, 2003, at 9:30 o'clock A.M., at which
time testimony will be taken. For the purposes of the hearing, the Mother, TAMMY L.
MEEKER, shall be deemed to be the moving party and shall proceed initially with testimony.
Counsel for the parties or the parties pro se shall file with the Court and opposing
counsel/party a memorandum setting forth each party's position on relocation, 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 ten days prior to the
hearing date.
Dist:
/I.'Z~/esley Oler, ~J~:~'., J.
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esquire, 508 N. Second St., P.O. Box 845, Harrisburg, PA 17108-084l
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire, 513 N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17101
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
CUSTODY CONCILIATION SUMMARY REPORT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
19'15.3-8, the undersigned Custody Conciliator submits the following report:
1. The pertinent information concerning the children who are the subject of this
litigation is as follows:
NAME DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN THE CUSTODY OF
Samantha A. Meeker August 29, 1998 Mother
Cody S. Meeker December 12, 1995 Mother
2. A custody conciliation conference was held on June 17, 2003, pursuant to
Defendant's petition for modification of Custody Order and for a Plowman hearing on
relocation request filed May 14, 2003. Concurrently with this filing, was the filing for Petition
for Special Relief which resulted in Judge Oler's Order of May 19, 2003. The parties have
scheduled their appointments to begin their work with the staff of Interworks. Mother's first
appointment is June 17, 2003. Father's first appointment is June 23, 2003. Attending the
Custody Conciliation Conference were: the Father, Kevin S. Meeker, and his counsel,
Steven Dzuranin, Esquire; the Mother, Tammy L. Meeker, and her counsel, Theresa Barrett
Male, Esquire.
3. Mother's position on custody is as follows: Mother reports that she has been
the primary caretaker of the children since birth. She is presently not working outside the
home. However, during the marriage, she did work on a limited part-time basis. Mother is
exploring the possibility of returning to work in a physician's office as a receptionist. While
she has no job offers, she believes that the work possibilities are greater in Maryland than
they are in Central Pennsylvania. Additionally, Mother has a sister in the Maryland
Community where she proposes to move. This sister is a stay-at-home mother who would
be available to assist with baby-sitting and daycare arrangements. In correspondence
dated April 17, 2003, Mother's counsel proposed an alternative schedule, approximating an
alternate weekend schedule with a sharing of holidays, a sharing of transportation, and
three (3) weeks during the summer school recess. Under the present circumstances, the
parties are in close proximity to each other. However, the marital home is for sale at this
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
time. The drive time to the community where Mother would intend to reside is three to three
and one-half hours. Mother alleges that there are significant difficulties in the relationship
between the children and their Father. She reports that he has, on a number of occasions,
contacted her to come and pick up the children early or has dropped them off early from a
custodial visit because he complains that they are "out of hand". She also reports that the
children have alleged that, during one visit in May, the Father kicked the older child.
Therefore, Mother believes she is better suited to remain the primary custodial parent.
4. Father's position on custody is as follows: Father opposes the move to
Maryland, which he attributes to Mother's desire to be with a new boyfriend. He alleges that
she used the children as a tool and is not adequately supporting his relationship with the
children. He denies the allegations around the incident in May. However, he concedes
that, at times, he has Mother come to pick up the children before his custodial time is over.
He also alleges that she has asked him to come and pick up the children during her
custodial time. Father also acknowledges there is difficulty with the children at the time of
custodial exchanges. Father objects to the children being schooled in Maryland because he
believes that the school district in which Mother would reside is inferior to their present
school district. While Father has indicated that he is willing to negotiate the custodial
arrangement, which would allow Mother to retain pdmary custody during the school year, his
agreement to her relocation would be strictly contingent upon the achievement of a
comprehensive settlement, making modifications to the Marital Settlement Agreement, an
agreement with regard to child support and discontinuance of alimony. Broadly stated,
Father's proposed alternative schedule would be to have custody on alternate weekends
and approximately eight (8) weeks of the summer, excluding the first week before school
starts and the first week of the summer school break and two other non-consecutive weeks
for Mother to have vacation. He also proposes that Mother have alternate weekends during
summer. Father seeks additional time during school breaks and holidays and expects that,
because Mother has chosen the relocation, she should provide all of the transportation
incident to custodial exchanges. Father acknowledges that the parties have frequent
disagreements and, therefore, places great importance on his preference that the parties
contemporaneously settle all of their custody issues, economic issues and sign the
appropriate consents to achieve a no-fault divorce. Father is presently employed as an
owner of a Papa John's Pizza store. His attorney relates that he has a hectic schedule and
works long hours.
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
5. The parties presently have a custodial schedule, by stipulation, which provides
Father to have one (1) weekend, per month, from Friday at 5:00 PM until Sunday at 5:00
PM and custody each Monday and Friday. For some period of time, this agreement was
modified and Father's weekly Friday periods of custody occurred on Thursdays. There is a
factual dispute about whether this occurred for a year or a period of approximately nine (9)
months.
6. In as much as the parties could not reach an agreement, with regard to an
alternate schedule in the event of Mother's relocation to Maryland, and because of Father's
unwillingness to reach a custody agreement in the absence of a comprehensive agreement
on issues beyond the scope of the conciliator's authority,~e~ is referred for a hearing
before the Court.
Dat ' '~' Mel~ssa Peel Greevy, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
:214977
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT Of COMMON PLEAS Of CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVlN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
.~,__[~, 2003, upon agreement of the parties, the Court
AND NOW, August
ORDERS and DECREES:
1. The parties will share legal custody, as defined in 23 Pa. C.S.A. § 5302, of their
children, Cody S. Meeker (dob: 12/12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker (dob: 08/03/98). All
decisions affecting the children's growth and development, inc, luding but not limited to medical
treatment, education, and religious training, are major decisions which the parties will make
jointly after discussion and consultation with each other.
2. Each parent shall have the right to receive and have access to school, medical
and other important records regarding the children.
3. Mother will have primary physical custody as defined under Pennsylvania law.
Mother also will have residential custody, and her residence shall be the children's residence
for school and other purposes.
Father will have partial physical custody as follows:
a. Beginning Friday, September 5, 2003, alternating weekends from Friday
at 8:30 p.m. until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The parties will exchange
custody at Hoss's Steak and Sea House, 61 Gettysburg Pike,
Mechanicsburg, [Turnpike Exit 17 / off Route 15].
b. Beginning Friday, October 31, 2003, alternating weekends from Friday
at 7:00 p.m. until Sunday at 7:00 p.m. The parties will exchange
custody at the McDonald's at Exit 20A of Interstate 83.
c. Four (4) weeks each summer when schc,ol is not in session, only two (2)
of which may be taken consecutively. The weeks shall begin and end on
a Friday. Reserved to Mother is the two-week period each summer when
her family rents a cabin. Mother shall notify Father by e-mail of these
dates by February I of each year. Father shall notify Mother by e-mail of
the dates he selects for his summer custody periods not later than May
15 of each year. Neither parent shall use the first full week after the
school year ends or the last full week before the school year begins for
vacation
The parties will share holidays as follows:
Odd-Numbered Years
Even-Numbered Years
Easter F M
Memorial Day M F
Fourth of July F M
Labor Day M F
Thanksgiving M F
Christmas Schedule A F M
Christmas Schedule B M F
a. The Easter holiday begins on Good Friday at 7:00 p.m. and ends on
Easter Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
b. Memorial Day and Labor Day begin ,an Friday preceding the holiday
at 7:00 p.m. and end on the holiday at 7:00 p.m.
c. The July Fourth holiday begins on July 3 at 7:00 p.m. and ends on
July 5 at 7:00 p.m.
d. The Thanksgiving holiday begins on Thanksgiving Eve at 7:00 p.m.
and ends on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
e. Christmas Schedule A begins on December 23 at 7:00 p.m. and
ends on December 28 at 7:00 p.m. If the children are in school on
December 23, then this schedule will begin on December 24 at 7:00
p.m.
f. Christmas Schedule B begins on December 28 at 7:00 p.m. January
2 at 7:00 p.m. If, however, classes resume on January 2, then the
return time is January I at 7:00 p.m.
6. Mother's Day weekend is reserved to Mother. Father's Day weekend is
reserved to Father.
7. Upon seven (7) days' notice by e-mail to Mother, Father may have three (3)
hours with each child on the child's birthday provided Father is in Lusby, Maryland on the
child's birthday.
8. The parties will exchange custody for holidays and vacation periods identified in
the preceding paragraphs at the McDonald's at Exit 20A of Interstate 83.
3
9. The parties will not deviate from the alternating weekend schedule because of
holidays or vacation unless it would result in a parent having more than two (2) consecutive
weekends.
10. Each parent shall be entitled to reasonable telephone contact with the children
when they are in the other parent's custody. Neither parent will call before 9:00 a.m. or after
8:00 p.m. The parties will return telephone calls promptly, but not later than 48 hours.
11. The parties shall keep each other informed of their addresses, telephone
numbers, including cell phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Not later than fourteen (14)
days before assuming custody, each parent shall e-mail th(.' other with the addresses and
telephone numbers of the children's whereabouts during their summer vacations and the
Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.
12. The parties may vary the custody schedule from time to time. Absent
agreement, the terms of this Order shall control.
13. The parties shall not possess, use or consume any controlled substances;
consume alcoholic beverages to the point of intoxication when the children are in that parent's
custody; or drink any alcoholic beverages before transporting 'the children.
14. Holidays take precedence over the other provisions of this order.
15. The August 21, 2003 hearing is continued to October 29, 2003 at 9:30 a.m.
16. The Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas will retain jurisdiction provided
Father continues to reside in Cumberland County.
BY THE COURT:
4
O.g- 3byq
MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS MARITAL SETI'LEMENT AGREEMENT is made as of the "~day
of June, 2002, by and between KEVIN S. MEEKER, an adult individual residing at
2433 Rolling Hills Ddve, Mechanicsburg Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17055
(the "Husband"), and TAMMY L. MEEKER, an adult individual residing at 2433
Rolling Hills Ddve, Mechanicsburg Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17055 (the
"Wife").
Recitals
The background of this Agreement is as follows:
R-I. The parties hereto, being Husband and Wife, were lawfully married on'
March 27, 1993, in West Lawn, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
R-2. Differences have adsen between Husband and Wife and, as a result,
they live separate and apart from each other (despite residing in the same house)
and have done so continuously since May 15, 2002 (the "Separation Date").
R-3. There are two children bom of the mardage between Husband and
Wife, Cody S. Meeker (bom December 12, 1995) and Samantha A. Meeker (bom
August 3, 1998).
R-4. Husband and Wife desire to settle and determine finally, and for all
time, their mutual property dghts, support and other matters related in any way to
their marriage.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants,
and undertakings herein contained, the parties hereto, each INTENDING TO BE
LEGALLY BOUND HEREBY, agree as follows:
1. Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are incorporated herein by reference as if
set forth in full.
2. _Divorce. It is specifically understood and agreed by and between the parties,
and each party does hereby warrant and represent to the other that, as defined
in the Pennsylvania Divorce Code, their marriage is irretrievably broken. Either
party may file a Complaint in Divorce in a court of competent jurisdiction. This
Agreement shall not be affected in any way by the filing of a Complaint in
Divorce. In the event a divorce action is filed, the parties agree to take all legal
steps (including the timely and prompt submission of all documents and the
taking of all action) necessary to assure that a divorce pursuant to Section
3301 (c) of the Divorce Code is entered as soon as passible. This Agreement
shall be incorporated by reference, but not merged into the Divorce Decree
presented to the Court. Husband and Wife shall at all times hereafter have the
right to live separate and apart from each other and to reside from time to time
at such place or places as they shall respectively deem fit, free from any control,
restraint, or other interference whatsoever by the other. Neither party shall
molest the other nor endeavor to compel the other to, cohabit or dwell with him
or her by any legal or other proceedings. The foregoing provision shall not be
taken to be an admission on the part of either Husband or Wife of the
lawfulness or unlawfulness of the causes leading to their living apart.
3. Marital Residence. Husband is the title owner of cedain real property located at
2433 Rolling Hills Ddve, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
(the "Real Property"), on which Real Property the parties had their marital
residence and on which they continue to reside. Wife agrees to transfer all of
her dght, title and interest in and to the Real Property to Husband. Wife shall
execute the Quit Claim Deed attached hereto as Exhibit A transferring to
Husband all of her interest in the Real Property at the time of signing this
Agreement. Said Quit Claim Deed shall be held in escrowwith Husband's
attorney and shall be released to Husband upon payment by Husband to Wife
in the amount of Five Thousand & 00/1.00 ($5,000.00) Dollars pursuant to
paragraph 7.b) hereof. The parties agree that Wife may, but shall not be
obligated to, reside in the Real Property, until such time as she doses on the
purchase of a house reasonably acceptable to Wife; provided that such dosing
occur not later than three (3) months from the date of this Agreement, after
which time, sole possession of the Real Property shall be with the Husband.
Husband shall be solely liable for all mortgages, taxes, insurance, rePairs and
maintenance relative to the Real Property and shall save Wife harmless from
any and all liability adsing out of the same.
4. Equitable Distribution of Personal Property. Husband and Wife acknowledge
that, except as specifically set forth herein, they have divided all personal
property acquired dudng the marriage to their mutual satisfaction. In addition to
the personal effects of each of the parties (such as clothing, toiletries and
jewelry), which each party shall keep as separate property, attached hereto as
Exhibit B is a partial list of personal property items to go to or be retained by the
parties. Such items shall be transferred to the proper party not later than the
expiration date that Wife may be in the Real Property pursuant to paragraph 3
above. To the extent Wife wishes to have any other item(s) of personal
property in the Real Property, she shall have the dght to submit to the Husband,
within thirty (30) days of the date of this Agreement a list of additional items of
personal property she would like to have. If Wife does not timely submit such a
list, in writing, she shall be deemed to have waived her dght to request any
additional items. If Wife does submit such a list, Husband shall respond to it by
indicating the items he is willing to give to Wife and the parties will then set a
time for the exchange of those items; provided, however, that Husband shall
only be obligated to give such of those items requested by W#e as Husband
shall agree in his sole, but reasonable discretion. Except to the extent
specifically set forth herein, or in the case of failure of either party to materially
disclose the same, each party hereby specifically agrees and by this Agreement
does hereby releasa all of his or her right, title, and interest to the other's
personal property in such other barty's possession.
5. Vehicles. Husband shall transfer to Wife all of his dght, title and interest in and
to the 1995 Toyota Camry. Husband hereby waives any right, title or interest
that he may have in said automobile. Wife shall be responsible for all payments
on loans secured by this automobile, repairs, insurance and all other costs
incurred as a result of such ownership. Husband shall retain ownership of the
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. Wife hereby waives any dght, title or interest that she
may have in said vehicle. Husband shall be responsible for all payments on the
loan to M&T Bank secured by this vehicle, repairs, insurance and al~ other costs
incurred as a result of such ownership. Husband shall retain ownership of the
1996 Rinker Boat and shall be responsible for the signature loan used to
purchase this Boat, repairs, insurance and all other costs incurred as a result of
such ownership.
6. Time Share. The parties are the owners of a Marriott: Time Share (the "Time
Share"), which they had used for vacations. Husband agrees to transfer all of
his right, title and interest in and to the Time Share to Wn'e. Husband sball
execute a deed or other document necessary to confirm this transfer. Wife shall
be solely liable for all mortgages, taxes, insurance, fees, repairs and
maintenance relative to the Time Share and shall save Husband harmless from
any and all ~iability adsing out of the same.
7. Profit Sharing, Retirement, and Secudtie,~ The parties will evenly divide the
Morgan Stanley IRA currently in Husband's name and shall transfer 50 %
thereof to Wife to be rolled over into an IRA in Wife's name by whatever
mechanism results in no immediate tax consequeoces. Each party otherwise
agrees that any other accounts or securities titled in his or her name shall be the
sole and exclusive property to the party in whose name the asset is titled and
the other party hereby waives any right, title or interest that he or she may have
in said assets.
8. Husband's Business. Husband shall retain sole ownership of his interests in
Circle C Corp. and C Prime Corporation and Wife hereby waives any right, title
or interest that she may have in said business interests. Husband shall pay to
Wife the sum of Ten Thousand and 00/1.00 ($10,000.00) Dollars, to be paid to
Wife as follows:
a) Five Thousand and 00/1.00 ($5,000.00) Dollars upon her closing on the
purchase of a house as intended in paragraph 3 hereof; and
· b) Five Thousand and 00/1.00 ($5,000.00) Dollars within five (5) years after the
entry of a Decree in Divorce, said payments to be made with 25% of any net
dividends distributed to Husband from his interest in Circle C Corp., which
shall be paid to Wife within five (5) days of receipt of the same, until the
entire amount is paid in full or the expiration of said five (5) year pedod,
whichever comes first, at which time there shall be no further obligation of
Husband to Wife pursuant to this paragraph 7.b).
9. After-Acquired Property, Husband and Wife acknowledge that they have been
living separate and apart since the Separation Date. Each party expressly
waives and relinquishes any dght or interest he and she may have in property,
real, personal, or mixed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the other party
after the Separation Date; except as specifically set forth herein.
10. Joint Debts. Husband and Wife represent that there are no joint debts or other
obligations incurred by either of them currently outstanding with respect to which
the other party may incur any liability now or in the future, except as otherwise
set forth herein.
a) Obligations to be Assumed by Wife,. In addition tc, any other obligations
expressly assumed by Wife hereunder, Wife shall bear sole responsibility for
the outstanding balance of her Discover Card (with an approximate balance
of $41.00) and the monthly installments for her Karate classes.
b) Obligations to be Assumed by Husband. In addition to any other obligations
expressly assumed by Husband hereunder, Husband shall bear sole
responsibility for the outstanding balance of the parties' debts on the
Signature Loan to Allflrst Bank (with an approximate balance of $17,650),
the First USA Account (with an approximate balance of $99.00) the Fleet
Account (with an approximate balance of $6,512.00), and the MBNA
Account (with an approximate balance of $529.00)
c) Future Debts. Neither parly shall contract or incur any debt or liability for
which the other party or his or her property or estate might be responsible,
and shall indemnify and save harmless the other party from any and all
claims or demands, including attorneys' fees and costs, made against the
other party by reason of debts or obligations incum~l by such parbj.
11. Indemnification. Each party hereby expressly agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the other from any and all liability, direct or indirect, including
attorneys' fees and costs, that may arise in connection with any obligation, joint
or otherwise, for which the party has agreed hereunder to bear sole
responsibility, or which the party has failed to disclose and provide for herein.
12. Child Custody. Husband and Wife agree that the parties shall have joint legal
custody and shared physical custody of their children in accordance with the
agreement reached by the parties from time to time, taking into account each
party's work schedules and flexibility to care for the children. For purposes of
declaring head of household status on Wife's Federal Tax Retum, the parties
agree that Wife shall be deemed to be the primary physical custodian of the
minor children. The parties agree to cooperate with each other to minimize the
need for any childcare expenses, taking into account aach party's work
schedules and flexibility to care for the children. Each party specifically
reserves the right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction for custody or
visitation dghts relative to said children.
13. Child Support. Based on the parties' respective current incomes, Husband
agrees to pay to Wife child support in the amount of $1,500.00 per month for
the two children, said support to commence on the first day of the month
immediately following the date Wife moves out of the Real Property, and
continuing on the first day of each month thereafter. Said amount shall be
subject to modification (either to increase or to dec~"ease or terminate) in
accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Support Law and Guidelines. To the
extent deemed to be necessary by mutual agreement of the parties, taking
into account the standards set forth to determine physical custody pursuant to
paragraph 11 hereof, the parties agree to evenly divide the cost of any
reasonable, necessary and agreed upon childcare expenses. The parties
also agree to evenly divide the costs and expenses of any child activities to
the extent the same are reasonable and agreed upon by the parties.
Husband agrees to continue to maintain health insurance for the children as
long as the same continues to be offered through his employer at no or
nominal cost to Husband (to include the cost as Husband may now be paying
to include the children on his health insurance policy. Wife shall pay the first
$250.00, per child per calendar year, of uncovered rnedicel expenses for the
children and any additional uncovered expenses shall be evenly divided
between the parties. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary,
the parties agree that Husband shall claim both children as dependents on his
tax retums and Wife agrees to execute any IRS foml necessary to confirm
this agreement.
'7
14. ~pousal Support/Alimony. Husband agrees to pay to Wife the sum of One
Thousand and 00/1.00 ($1,000.00) Dollars per month, as spousal support or
alimony, as appropriate, commencing thirty days before the date Wife
anticipates closing on the purchase of real property as a personal residence
(provided however, that Husband shall be obligated to pay only $1,000.00
before the said closing), and continuing on the same day of each subsequent
month, starting again one month after the Wife closes on the purchase of said
real property, for an indefinite period of time, subject however to modification
or termination in accordance with, and to be reviewed pursuant to,
Pennsylvania Law.
15. Other Writings. Each of the parties hereto agrees to execute any and all
documents, deeds, bills of sale or other writings necessary to carry out the
intent of this Agreement or any part thereof, without undue delay or objection.
16. Counsel Fees. Each party agrees to pay his or her own attorney fees and
other costs associated with the subject matter of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the Divorce Action.
17. Mutual Release. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the parties
hereby release and discharge, absolutely and forever, each other from any and
all dghts, claims and demands, past, present, or future, specifically, without
limitation, from the following: alimony pendente lite; alimony; spousal support;
division of property; claims or rights of dower and dght to live in the madtal
residence; right to act as executor or administrator in the other's estate; rights as
devisee or legatee in the Last Will and Testament of the other; any claim or right
as beneficiary in any life insurance policy of the other; and any claim or dght in
the distributive share or intestate share of the other party's estate.
18. Entire A,qreement]Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding between the parties, and there are no covenants, conditions,
representations or agreements, oral or wdtten, of any nature whatsoever, other
than those herein contained. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
only by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
19. Nonwaiver of Performance, This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
unless and until terminated under and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
The failure of either party to insist upon strict performance of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent default of the same or similar nature.
20. Invalidity. If any term, condition, clause or provision of this Agreement shall be
determined or declared to be void or invalid in law or otherwise, then only that
term, condition, clause or provision shall be stdcken from this Agreement, and in
all other respects, this Agreement shall be valid and continue in full force, effect
and operation as if such provision had not been initially included. The failure of
any party to meet her or his obligations under any one or more of the provisions
herein, with the exception of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent, if any,
shall in no way avoid or alter the remaining obligations of the parties.
21. Breach. If either party materially breaches any provision of this Agreement after
notice by the other party and failure of the breaching I~rty to correct the breach,
the other party shall have the dght, at his or her election, to sue for such breach
at law or in equity to enforce any dghts and remedies which the party may have,
and the party breaching this Agreement shall be responsible for legal fees and
costs incurred by the other in enforcing his or her rights under this Agreement.
22. Governin,q Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
23. Successors in Interest. Except as other~se provided herein, this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns.
24. Le.qal Effect. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to effect a
legally binding property settlement between the parties. Husband has
been represented by Wix, Wenger & Weidner and Stephen J. Dzuranin,
Esquire. Wife has been advised by Husband's counsel to obtain
separate legal counsel and has voluntadly~¢ose not to seek counsel
Each party acknowledges that s~~th,s Agreement,
has been afforded sufficient time to seek counsel and to discuss this
Agreement and all financial information related to this Agreement with
counsel, fully understands the facts, has been fully informed as to her
or his legal dghts and obligations by counsel, or has waived the right to
do so and each party acknowledges and accepts that this Agreement is
fair and equitable, that it is being entered into freely and voluntarily and
that this Agreement and the execution thereof is not the result of any
duress, undue influence or collusion.~'~'~
25. Telecopier This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be considered an original instrument and all of which
together shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become
effective when counterparts, which together contain the signatures of each
party, shall have been delivered to all of the parties hereto. Delivery of
executed signature pages by facsimile transmission shall constitute effective
and binding execution and delivery of this Agreement. Thereafter, the parties
will make good faith efforts to exchange original signed counterparts
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals the day
and year first above written.
WITNESS: WIFE:
WITNESS:
Tammy L~k&r ~
HUSBAND:
Kevin S. Meeker
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUN OF .ss.
On this, the /~ ~ day of June, 2002, before rne, a Notary Public, the
undersigned officer, personally appeared Tammy L. Meeker, known to me (or
satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is signed to the foregoing
instrument and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes therein
expressed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and notarial seal.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF ~ ' SS.
On this, the ~ day of June, 2002, before me, a Notary Public, the
undersigned officer, personally appeared Kevin S. Meeker, known to me (or
satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is signed to the foregoing
instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes therein
expressed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my' hand and notarial seal.
Rotary Public
My Commission Expires~
17
EXHIBIT A
QUIT CLAIM DEED
EXHIBIT B
PERSONAL PROPERTY
F:~sj(flS~54 Meeks', Ke~n~11812 Domes~c ReJations~3ocurnentsWlarltal Settlement Agreement.doc 6/7/02 2:24 PM
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
NO. 02 3649
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN DIVORCE
AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT
1. A Complaint in Divome under § 3301(c) of the Divorce Code was filed on July
31, 2002 and served on the Defendant on or about August 12, 2002. An Acceptance of
Service form was signed by the Defendant on August 12, 2002 and filed with the Court on
August 19, 2002.
2. The marriage of Plaintiff and Defendant is irretrievably broken and ninety (90)
days have elapsed from the date of filing and service of the Complaint.
3. I consent to the entry of a final decree of divorce.
I verify that the statements made in this Affidavit 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: August 21, 2003
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
5'L3 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COIJNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEViN S. MEEKER :
Plaintiff :
:
v. :
:
TAMMY L. MEEKER :
Defendant :
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT
1. A complaint in divorce under § 3301(c) of the Divorce Code was filed on July 31,
2002.
2. The marriage of plaintiff and defendant is irretrievably broken and ninety days
have elapsed from the date of filing and service of the Complaint,
3. I consent to the entry of a final decree of divorce after service of notice of
intention to request entry of the decree.
I verify that the statements made in this affidavit 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.
Tammy L. IV~k~r X
Date: August (3~/,, ,2003
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
,,
NO. 02 3649
:
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
:
: IN DIVORCE
WAIVER OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REQUEST
ENTRY OF A DIVORCE DECREE UNDER § 3301(c)
OF THE DIVORCE CODE
1. I consent to the entry of a final decree of divorce without notice.
2. I understand that I may lose rights concerning alimony, division of
property, lawyer's fees or expenses if I do not claim them before a divorce is granted.
3. I understand that I will not be divorced until a divorce decree is entered
by the Court and that a copy of the decree will be sent to rne immediately after it is filed
with the Prothonotary.
I verify that the statements made in this affidavit are true and correct. I
understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalti,~of 18 Pa.C.S.
/ /
{}4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. / /
Kev~n S. Meeke~, Pla~nbff
Dated: August 21,2003
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COIJNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
WAIVER OF NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REQUEST ENTRY OF
A DIVORCE DECREE UNDER § 3301(c) OF THE DIVORCE CODE
1. I consent to the entry of a final decree of divorce without notice.
2. I understand that I may lose rights concerning alimony, division of property,
lawyer's fees or expenses if I do not claim them before a divorce is granted.
3. I understand that I will not be divorced until a divorce decree is entered by the
Court and that a copy of the decree will be sent to me immediately after it is filed with the
prothonotary.
I verify that the statements made in this affidavit 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.
~mmy L. I~\ e~ei ~
Date: August q~l ,2003
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02 - 3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN DIVORCE
PRAECIPE TO TRANSMIT RECORD
To the Prothonotary:
Transmit the record, together with the following information, to the Court for entry
of a divorce decree:
1. Ground for divorce: irretrievable breakdown under Section [3301(c)
339!(d)] of the Divorce Code. (Strike out inapplicable section).
2. Date of filing and manner of service of complaint: Complaint in Divorce
filed July 31,2002 and served by certified mail upon Defendant on or about August 12,
2002. Acceptance of Service signed by the Defendant was filed with the Court on
August 19, 2002.
3. Complete either paragraph (a) or (b).
(a) Date of execution of the affidavit of consent required by §3301 (c) of the
Divorce Code: by Plaintiff dated August 21,2003, filed August 22, 2003; by Defendant
dated August 21, 2003, filed August 22, 2003.
(b)(1) Date of execution of the affidavit required by §3301(d) if the Divorce Code:
N/A; (2) Date of filing and service of the Plaintiff's affidavit upon the respondent: N/A
4. Related claims pending. None.
5. (Complete either (a) or (b).)
(a) Date and manner of service of the notice of intention to file Praecipe to
Transmit Record, a copy of which is attached: N/A.
(b) Date Plaintiff's Waiver of Notice was filed with the Prothonotary: August
22, 2003.
Date Defendant's Waiver of Notice Divorce was filed with the
Prothonotary: August 22, 2003.
Date: August 22, 2003
Respectfully submitted,
WiX, WEf~. ER & WEIDNER
Sep n3. Dzu nin ~Esquire
508 North Seco Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
(717) 234-4182
Attorney for Plaintiff,
Kevin S. Meeker
KEVIN S. MEEKER~
Plaintiff
VERSUS
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
STATE OF ~ PENNA.
NO. 02 - 3649 Civil Term
DECREE IN
DIVORCE
AND NOW, °C5' z9
DECREED THAT KEVIN S . MEEKER
~> , it IS OrDEred aND
, PLAINTIFF,
AND
TAMMY L. MEEKER
.,DEFENDANT,
ARE DIVORCED FROM THE BONDS OF MATRIMONY.
THE COURT RETAINS JURISDICTION OF THE FOL],OWING CLAIMS WHICH HAVE
BEEN RAISED OF RECORD IN THIS ACTION fOR WHICH A FINAL ORDER HAS NOT
YET BEEN ENTERED;
The Marital Settlement Agreement dated June 7, 2002, attached
hereto is incorporated herein by reference but not merged into this
Decree in Divorce.
BY THE COURT: //7 ~/~
PROTHONOTARY
KEVIN S. MEE
Plaintiff
Defendan
AND NO~
custody hearing
rescheduled to Mo
County Courthous~
'~ephen J. Dzuranir
508 N. Second Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Attorney for Plaintiff
'~eresa Barrett Male,
513 N. Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendan
ER, :
C~ER,
1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
this 27th day of October, 2003, upon agreement of counsel, the
~viously scheduled in the above matter for October 29, 2003, is
clay, February 2, 2004, at 9:30 a.m.,, in Courtroom No. 1, Cumberland
Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
BY THE COURT,
~sq.
-0845
Esq.
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff/Petitioner
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant/Respondent
IN THE COURt[' OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
: CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
PETITIONER'S PETITION FOR CONTEMPT
AND TO ENFORCE CUSTODY ORDER
AND NOW, comes the Petitioner, Kevin S. Meeker, by and through his attorneys,
Wix, Wenger & Weidner, and files this Petition for Contempt and to Enfome Custody
Order, and in support thereof avers as follows:
1. The Petitioner is Kevin S. Meeker (the "Father"), ar~ adult individual who currently
resides at 2433 Rolling Hills Drive, Mechanicsburg,, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania.
2. The Respondent is Tammy L. Meeker (the "Mother"), an adult individual who
currently resides at 11256 Sitting Bull Circle, Lusby, Maryland.
3. The parties are the parents of the minor children Cody S. Meeker (born
December 12, 1995; age 7) and Samantha A. Meeker (born August 3, 1998; age
5) (the "Children").
4. On August 21,2003, this Honorable Court entered and Order of Court relating to
custody of the Children (the "Order"). A true and correct copy of the Order is
attached hereto as Exhibit A and is incorporated herein by reference.
5. Paragraph 1 of the Order specifically directed that:
The parties will share legal custody, as defined in 23 Pa.C.S.A § 5302, of
their children, Cody S. Meeker (dob: 12/12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker
(dob: 08/03/98). All decisions affecting the children's growth and
development, including but not limited to medical treatment, education,
and religious training, are major decisions which the parties will make
jointly after discussion and consultation with each other.
Since the entry of the Order, Mother has violated, and Father believes that
Mother will continue to violate, paragraph 1 of the Order as follows:
a. Mother has not involved Father in any discussions or decisions regarding
the schooling of the Children. Father was not notified, consulted or
involved in the decision regarding the enrolh'nent of Samantha in
kindergarten, nor in the decision regarding the enrollment of Samantha in
before-school care.
b. Mother has not provided Father with an emergency contact list, and
Father suspects that he is not included on said list for the Children at
school
c. Father was not consulted regarding the medical decisions concerning the
Children.
d. Father has not been consulted regarding the babysitting of the Children.
Paragraph 2 of the Order specifically directed that: "Each parent shall have the
right to receive and have access to school, medical and other important records
regarding the children."
Mother has violated paragraph 2 of the Order as follows:
a. Mother refuses to provide Father with information about the Children's
schooling aside from the names of the teachers. The schools have
refused to release such information directly to Father.
10.
11.
b. Mother has refused to provide information about the doctor she has
chosen to treat the Children, and has provided no information regarding
the health of the Children.
c, Mother has refused to provide information about the Children's enrollment
in activities such as the Cub Scouts and after-school programs,
d. Mother has refused to provide information about the babysitter she has
chosen to care for the Children.
e. Mother refused to notify Father of the need 1:o order and pay for school
pictures for the Children until it was too late to do so. Mother also refuses
to share such pictures she has with the Father,
Paragraph 10 of the Order specifically directed that: "Each parent shall be
entitled to reasonable telephone contact with the children when they are in the
other parent's custody. Neither parent will call before 9:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.
The parties will return telephone calls promptly, but not later than 48 hours."
Mother has violated paragraph 10 of the Order as follows:
a. Mother has not allowed reasonable telephone contact with the Children.
b. Mother had not returned, or had the Children return, phone messages left
for the Children by Father.
Father loves his children and Mother's behavior in violating the Order, as set
forth above, is interfering with Father's ability to have meaningful consistent
contact with the Children.
12. Father has incurred counsel fees, costs and expenses as a direct result of
Mother's violations of the Order.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner/Father respectfully requests that this Honorable Court
enter an Order finding Respondent/Mother in contempt of court and direct the Mother to
immediately comply with the Order to:
A. Fully inform Father of each and every decision affecting the Children's
growth and development and make decisions regarding these aspects
only after discussion and consultation with Father.
B. Provide copies of all school related and other information relating to the
Children.
C. Notify the schools that the Children attend to add Father as a contact and
to inform the schools that they shall provide all information relating to the
Children to Father.
D. Allow the Children to call Father and allow Father reasonable and
uninterrupted telephone contact with the Children, including returning all
phone calls left by Father within twenty-four hours.
E. Grant to Father the reasonable counsel fees, costs and expenses he has
incurred as a result of Mother's failure to abide by the terms of the Order.
Petitioner further respectfully requests this Honorable Court to grant such further
relief as this Court deems just and appropriate.
Date:
Respectfully Submitted,
WiX, WENGER & WEIDNER
By: /~
Stel~l~t
Jeffret
508 North Second Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
(717) 234-4182
Attorneys for Petitioner
· I~zu~anin, I.D. #52653
Clark, I.D. #89277
F:~sjd~5654 Meeker, Kevin\11812 Domestic Relations~Documents\Petition for Contem,pt.doc
VERIFICATION
I, Kevin S. Meeker, Petitioner in the foregoing Petition for Contempt and
to Enforce Custody Order, have read the foregoing Petition and hereby affirm and
verify that it is true and correct to the best of my personal knowledge, information
and belief. I verify that all of the statements made in the foregoing are true and
correct and that false statements made therein may subject me to the penalties of
unswom fal ification aut ori'
18 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4904, relating to ~'~/~~
Kevin S. Meeker, Petitioner
EXHIBIT A
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
53.3 NoAh Second Street
Harrisburg, PA ~.7:L01
(73.7} 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND CO[JNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVlN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
v.
TAMMY L. MEEKER Defendant
AND NOW, August
ORDERS and DECREES:
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
,,,, 2003, upon agreement of the parties, the Court
1. The parties will share legal custody, as defined in 23 Pa. C.S.A. § 5302, of their
children, Cody S. Meeker (dob: 12/12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker (dob: 08/03/98). All
decisions affecting the children's growth and development, including but not limited to medical
treatment, education, and religious training, are major decisions which the parties will make
jointly after discussion and consultation with each other.
2. Each parent shall have the right to receive and have access to school, medical
and other important records regarding the children.
3. Mother will have primary physical custody as defined under Pennsylvania law.
Mother atso will have residential custody, and her residence shall be the children's residence
for school and other purposes.
Father will have partial physical custody as follows:
a. Beginning Friday, September 5, 200:3, alternating weekends from Friday
at 8:30 p.m. until Sunday at 4:00 p.m, The parties will exchange
custody at Hoss's Steak and Sea House, 6Z Gettysburg Pike,
Mechanicsburg, [Turnpike Exit 17 / off Route 15].
b. Beginning Friday, October 31, 2003, alternating weekends from Friday
at 7:00 p.m. until Sunday at 7:00 p.m. The parties will exchange
custody at the McDonald's at Exit 20A of Interstate 83.
c. Four (4) weeks each summer when school is not in session, only two (2)
of which may be taken consecutively. The weeks shall begin and end on
a Friday. Reserved to Mother is the tw¢~week period each summer when
her family rents a cabin. Mother shall notify Father by e-mail of these
dates by February I of each year. Father shall notify Mother by e-mail of
the dates he selects for his summer custody periods not later than May
15 of each year. Neither parent shall use the first full week after the
school year ends or the last full week before the school year begins for
vacation
The parties will share holidays as follows:
Odd-Numbered Years
Even-Numbered Years
Easter F M
Memorial Day M F
Fourth of July F M
Labor Day M F
Thanksgiving M F
Christmas Schedule A F M
Christmas Schedule B M F
2
a. The Easter holiday begins on Good Friday at 7:00 p.m. and ends on
Easter Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
b. Memorial Day and Labor Day begin on Friday preceding the holiday
at 7:00 p.m. and end on the holiday at 7:00 p.m.
c. The July Fourth holiday begins on July 3 at 7:00 p.m. and ends on
July 5 at 7:00 p.m.
d. The Thanksgiving holiday begins on Thanksgiving Eve at 7:00 p.m.
and ends on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
e. Christmas Schedule A begins on December 23 at 7:00 p.m. and
ends on December 28 at 7:00 p.m. If the children are in school on
December 23, then this schedule will begin on December 24 at 7:00
p.m.
f. Christmas Schedule B begins on December 28 at 7:00 p.m. January
2 at 7:00 p.m. if, however, classes resume on January 2, then the
return time is January 1 at 7:00 p.m.
6. Mother's Day weekend is reserved to Mother. Father's Day weekend is
reserved to Father.
7. Upon seven (7) days' notice by e-mail to Mother, Father may have three (3)
hours with each child on the child's birthday provided Father is in Lusby, Maryland 'on the
child's birthday.
8. The parties will exchange custody for holidays and vacation periods identified in
the preceding paragraphs at the McDonald's at Exit 20A of Interstate 83.
9. The parties will not deviate from the alternating weekend schedule because of
holidays or vacation unless it would result in a parent having more than two (2) consecutive
weekends.
ZO, Each parent shall be entitled to reasonable telephone contact with the children
when they are in the other parent's custody. Neither parent will call before 9:00 a.m, or after
8:00 p.m. The parties will return telephone calls promptly, but not later than 48 hours.
Z1. The parties shall keep each other informed of their addresses, telephone
numbers, including cell phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Not later than fourteen (14)
days before assuming custody, each parent shall e-mail the other with the addresses and
telephone numbers of the children's whereabouts during their summer vacations and the
Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.
12. The parties may vary the custody schedu;le from time to time, Absent
agreement, the terms of this Order shall control.
13. The parties shall not possess, use or consume any controlled substances;
consume alcoholic beverages to the point of intoxication when the children are in that parent's
custody; or drink any alcoholic beverages before transportinl-~ the children.
:Z4. Holidays take precedence over the other provisions Of this order.
15. The August 21, 2003 hearing is continued to October 29, 2003 at 9:30 a.m,
16. The Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas will retain jurisdiction provided
Father continues to reside in Cumberland County.
BY THE COURT:
4
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff/Petitioner
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant/Respondent
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:
: NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
:
:
: CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that the foregoing Petition for Contempt and to Enforce Custody
Order was sent by first class mail or hand delivery this day to the following:
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
514 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Respondent
Date:
WiX, WENGER & WEIDNER
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
(717) 234-4182
Attorneys for Petitioner
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
TAMlVIY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COL2qTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 17th day of November, 2003, upon consideration of Plaintiff's
Petition for Contempt and To Enforce Custody Order, this matter is referred to the
custody conciliation process, and the Court Administrator is requested to facilitate and
expedite this referral.
BY THECOURT,
~ephen J. Dzuranin, Esq.
508 N. Second Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Attorney for Plaintiff
~eresa Barrett Male, Esq.
514 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
· ~esley Oler,~) J. ~
Cumberland County Court
Administrator _
KEV1N S. MEEKER
PLAINTIFF
TAMMY L. MEEKER
DEFENDANT
1N THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND C OUN I Y, PENNSYLVANIA
02-3649 CIVIL ACTION LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, Thursday, November 20, 2003
_, upon consideration of the attached Complaint,
it is hereby directed that parties and their respective counsel appear before Melissa P. Greev , Es~5~q:~, the conciliator,
at 301 Market Street, Le~e, PA 17043 on Wednesday, December 10, 2003
for a Pre-Hearing ustody Conference. At such conference, an eftbrt will be made to resolve the issues in dispute; or
C ~ at I:30~PM
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. 15ailure 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,
Sl~ecial Relief orders, and Custody orders to the conciliator 48 hours prior to scheduled hearing.
FOR THE COURT.
By: /s/
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 informahon 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 bearing or business before the court. You must attend the scheduled
conference or hearing.
YOU SHOULD TAKE TI[tIS PAPER TO YOUR ATTORNEY .AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HAVE AN ATTORNEy OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone (717) 249-3 166
DEC 1 7 2003 ~:~
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 1~{¼ day of December, 2003, upon consideration of the
attached Custody Conciliation Summary Report, and it appearing that the parties are in
need of a hearing, it is hereby ordered and directed as follows:
1. Hearin.q. A hearing is scheduled in Courtrogm Number / of the
Cumberland C,ounty Courthouse, on the ~' day of '-~_~,.,,~,c,.,j ~ 2004, at
~';~, ~ o clock ~ .M., at which time testimony will be taken. For ti~ purposes of the
hearing, the Father, Kevin S. Meeker, shall be deemed to be the moving party and shall
proceed initially with testimony. Counsel for the parties or the parties pro se shall file with
the Court and opposing counsel/party a memorandum setting forth 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 ten days
prior to the hearing date.
Dist:
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esquire, P.O. Box 845, Harrisburg, PA 17108
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire, 513 N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17101
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
IN THE COl JRT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
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 conceming the children who are the subject of this
litigation is as follows:
NAME DATE OF BIRTH CURRENTLY IN THE CUSTODY OF
Samantha A. Meeker
Cody S. Meeker
August 29, 1998
December 12, 1995
Mother
Mother
2. A Custody Conciliation Conference was held on December 10, 2003, upon
referral to conciliation by Judge Oler, following his review of a Petition for Contempt and
Enforcement filed by Father. Attending the Custody Conciliation Conference were: the
Father, Kevin S. Meeker, and his counsel, Stephen Dzuranin, Esquire; the Mother's
counsel, Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire. Mother, Tammy L. Meeker, participated by
telephone as she resides in Maryland.
3. Fathers position is as follows: The parties entered an agreement which was
made into an Order of Court of August 21, 2003. This agreement allowed Mother to
relocate to Maryland and provided periods of partial custody for Father. Father alleges that
since the entry of the Order, Mother has violated the Order by failing to involve him in
decision-making regarding topics such as enrollment of the parties' daughter at school,
enrollment in before school care and choice of babysitters. Father further alleges that
Mother has violated Paragraph 2 of the Order by failing to provide him with information
regarding the school, the name of the physician that treated their son, information regarding
extra-curricular activities and school pictures. Father further alleges that Mother is not
returning 60-70% of phone messages which have been left by the Father and not permitting
reasonable telephone contact with the children. Father seeks a finding of contempt and an
Order directing Mother's compliance and counsel fees and costs associated with her failure
to abide by the Order.
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
4. Mother's position is as follows: With regard to access to school and medical
information, Mother points out that the Order to which padies agreed provided that Father
be allowed access, but did not require her to be the provider of that information. Mother
reports that she has provided the schools with the Order and does not believe she should
be held responsible for the failure of the school to comply 'with their duty to cooperate with
providing information to Father. Mother reports that she informed Father that she enrolled
the child in school in kindergarten. She did this despite his objection, because she reports
that Maryland law requires her to enroll the child at age five (5). There are multiple factual
disputes between the parties about whether Mother has provided certain information to
Father and whether Mother provided information in advance of a decision being made,
rather than after the fact. Additionally, Mother did not find it necessary to inform Father that
the parties' son had seen a doctor to rule out the possibility of strep throat or bronchitis.
Mother produced a copy of the emergency contact form for the school district which did
provide Father's name and phone number. However, she did not mark a portion of the form
that indicated that he was to be contacted in an emergency. Mother reports that this was
because the school district asked for names of local people that they could contact in the
event that they could not reach her. Mother reports the school policy was to ask the parents
to designate only local adults as emergency contact, and that only in the event of a life
threatening situation will they contact a non-local parent. With regard to extra-curricular
activities, Mother reports that she had discussed the daughter's enrollment in Daisies with
the Father during the summer and that Father had agreed to allow her to participate in a
summer program associated with Daisies as a pre-cursor to her enrollment in that program
after the school year began. She also points out that Father knew that the parties' son had
participated in Cub Scouts locally. With regard to the school pictures, Mother reports that
the parties' son did not bring the form home until the day before the pictures were to be
taken and then failed to turn in the form and the money. Therefore, he is only recently had
his school pictures taken. She has agreed to provide Father with the information through
which he can order copies of the children's school photographs. With regard to telephone
contact, Mother reports that she has returned telephone calls from Father with in twenty-four
(24) hours of the message. She also notes that each message that she receives from
Father is marked urgent. With regard to the after school program, Mother reports that she
has e-mailed Father information about the Panda's Pride.
5. It is apparent the parent the parties continue to have serious discord and
distrust in their parenting relationship. It is also clear that each of them read the paragraph
providing Father right to access the information differently. Father expects that his right to
access should not require any effort on his part, rather he views it a duty which the Mother
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
should fulfill. Father is quite pessimistic that Mother will change her behavior in the ways
that he seeks them to be changed unless the Court finds her in contempt. He has,
therefore, asked for a hearing. /t]~~~~
'D~ae~~;~/''''/~ '~ ~ (- I~elissa Peel (~re~vy, Esquire
Custody Conciliator
:222015
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
VS.
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
AND NOW, this
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
02-3649 CIVIL
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
ORDER OF COURT
day of February, 2004, upon consideration of Defendant's
Petition for Modification of Custody Order and for Plowman Hearing on Relocation Request and
of Plaintiff's Petition for Contempt and To Enforce Custody Order, with respect to the parties'
children, Cody S. Meeker (d.o.b. December 12, 1995) and Samantha A. Meeker (d.o.b. August 2,
1998), and following a hearing held on February 2, 2004, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. The Court finding that (a) the mother's relocation to Maryland
was likely to significantly improve the quality of life for the mother and
the children, and has done so, (b) the move was not motivated simply by
a desire to frustrate the visitation rights of Plaintiff, (c) visitation
arrangements compatible with the relocation are feasible to ensure a
continuing, meaningful relationship between the father aa~d the children,
and (d) the custodial terms of the order of court dated August 21, 2003,
represent such an arrangement and are in the best interests of the children, the
mother's relocation to Maryland as primary physical custodian of the
children is approved, and the custodial terms of the order of court dated
August 21, 2003, shall remain in full force and effect.
2. Plaintiff's petition for contempt is dismissed; and
3. All other relief requested by either party is denied.
4. The parties are encouraged to try to behave more civilly toward
each other to promote the children's welfare and sense of well-being.
BY THECOURT,
~/~tephen J. Dzuranin, Esquire
508 N. Second Street
P. O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Attorney for Plaintiff
~l~heresa Barrett Male, Esquire
513 N. Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
:rim
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
Vo
TAMMY L. MEEKER,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - CUSTODY
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 2nd day of February, 2004, upon
consideration of Defendant's Petition for Modification of Custody
Order and for Plowman Hearing on Relocation Request, and of
Plaintiff's Petition for Contempt and To Enforce Custody Order with
respect to the parties' children, Cody S. Meeker (date of birth
December 12, 1995), and Samantha A. Meeker (date of birth August 2,
1998), and following a hearing held on this date, the record is
declared closed, and the matter is taken under advisement.
By the Court,
Steven J. Dzuranin, Esquire
508 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
For the Plaintiff
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
For the Defendant
esley O~a~, Jr~ J.
pcb
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
52.3 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER : Plaintiff
v, : NO, 02-3649 Civil Term
:
TAMMY L. MEEKER :
Defendant : CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
DEFENDANT'S PETITION TO ENFORCE SE]TLEMENT AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO 23 PA. C.S.A. § 3:502(e)
1. Plaintiff Kevin S. Meeker currently resides at 2433 Rolling Hills Drive,
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
2. Defendant Tammy S. Meeker currently resides at 12036 Bullwhip Trail, Lusby,
MD 20657.
3, On June 7, 2002, the parties executed a marital settlement agreement
("agreement") resolving all economic issues incident to their divorce. A copy of the agreement
is attached as Exhibit 1.
counsel,
The agreement was prepared by Mr. Meeker's ceunsel.
When the parties executed the agreement, Ms. Meeker was not represented by
6. The parties were divorced on August 27, 2003. A copy of the Decree in Divorce
is attached as Exhibit 2.
7. The agreement was incorporated but not merged into the divorce decree.
8. Pursuant to paragraph 7 of the agreement, Mr. Meeker agreed to transfer to
Ms. Meeker, by a rollover IRA, fifty percent (50%) of his Morgan Stanley IRA.
9. Mr. Meeker did not comply with this provision.
10. On November 13, 2003, Ms. Meeker, through her current counsel, requested
information from Mr. Meeker in order to facilitate transfer of her marital portion of the Stanley
Morgan IRA.
11. On November 14, 2003, Ms. Meeker's counsel confirmed, in writing, her
request. A copy of the fax is attached as Exhibit 3.
12. As of the filing date of this petition, Mr. Meeker has not complied.
13. As of the filing date of this petition, Mr. lVleeker has not complied with
paragraph 7 of the agreement.
14. Pursuant to paragraphs 13 and 14 of the agreement, Mr. Meeker agreed to pay
Ms. Meeker certain sums for child support and spousal support, respectively.
15. Mr. Meeker failed to pay child support and spousal support as required by the
agreement, thus necessitating Ms. Meeker's institution and prosecution of a support action.~
16. Pursuant to paragraph 14 of the agreement, Mr. Meeker agreed to pay Ms.
Meeker alimony in the amount of $1,000.00 per month.
1 Pending are Mr. Meeker's demand for de novo hearing and his modification petition on the DRS-
recommended support order dated June 23, 2003.
2
17. Mr. Meeker has failed to comply with this provision.
18. In consideration of, and in reliance on, Mr. Meeker's promise to pay child
support, spousal support, and alimony under the terms of the agreement, Ms. Meeker agreed
to allocate to Mr. Meeker the dependency exemptions for the parties' children, Cody S. Meeker
(dob: 12/:12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker (dob: 08/13/98).
:19. Mr. Meeker's failure to comply with his support obligations under the agreement
required Ms. Meeker to claim the dependency exemptions, thereby providing an additional
source of support for herself and her children.2
20. Because Mr. Meeker failed to comply with his support obligations under the
agreement, he is estopped from claiming the dependency exennptions.
2:1. Section 3502 of the Divorce Code provides in relevant part:
If... a party has failed to comply with ... the terms of an agreement as entered into
between the parties, after hearing, the court may, in addition to any other remedy
available under this part, in order to effect compliance with its order:
(:1) enter judgment;
(2) authorize the taking and seizure of the goods and chattels and collection of
the rents and profits of the real, personal, ta~ngible and intangible property of
the party;
(3) award interest on unpaid installments;
(4) order and direct the transfer and sale of any property required in order to
comply with the court's order;
(5) require security to insure future payments in compliance with the court's
order;
Mr. Meeker has been unemployed since July 2003.
3
(6) issue attachment proceedings, directed to tile sheriff or other proper officer
of the county, directing that the person named as having failed to comply
with the court order be brought before the court, at such time as the court
may direct. If the court finds, after hearing, that the person willfully failed to
comply with the court order, it may deem the person in contempt of court
and, in its discretion, make an appropriate order, including, but not limited
to, commitment of the person to the county jail for a period not to exceed six
months;
(7) award counsel fee and costs;
(8) attach wages; or
(9) find the party in contempt.
23 Pa. C.S.A. § 3502(e).
22. ~s a direct and proximate result of Mr. Meeker's conduct, Ms. Meeker has
incurred attorney's fees.
23. As a direct and proximate result of Mr. Meeker's conduct, Ms. Meeker has
incurred expenses, including but not limited to, incidental damages.
24. Ms. Meeker anticipates that she will incur additional legal fees, and expenses,
in connection with this petition.
Wherefore, Defendant respectfully requests the Court set a hearing on this petition,
and, after hearing, enter an order pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(e), including but not limited
to the following relief:
a. Awarding Defendant past-due alimony, with inte~rest.
b. Directing Plaintiff to pay alimony as required by the settlement agreement.
c. Directing Plaintiff to post a bond to secure future alimony payments.
4
Directing Plaintiff to transfer fifty (50%) perce]~t of his Morgan Stanley IRA to
Defendant.
Awarding Defendant all of her legal fees, costs, and expenses, and damages
flowing from Plaintiff's failure to comply with the settlement agreement.
Date: February 11, 2004
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
5
Exhibit 1
MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
THiS MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT is made as of the day
of June, 2002, by and between KEVIN S. MEEKER, an adult individual residing at
2433 Rolling Hills Drive, Mechanicsburg Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17055
(the "Husband"), and TAMMY L MEEKER, an adult individual residing at 2433,
Rolling Hills Ddve, Mechanicsburg Cumberland Count~, Pennsylvania, 17055 (the
"Wire").
Recitals
The background of this Agreement is as follow~;:
R-1. The padies hereto, being Husband and Wife, ware lawfully married on
March 27, 1993, in West Lawn, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
R-2. Differences have arisen between Husband and Wife and, as a result,
they live separate and apart from each other (despite residing in the same house)
and have done so continuously since May 15, 2002 (the "Separation Date").
R-3. There are two children bom of the marriage between Husband and
Wife, Cody S. Meeker (born December 12, 1995) and Samantha A. Meeker (bom
August 3, 1998).
R-4. Husband and Wife desire to settle and determine finally, and for all
time, their mutual property rights, support and other matters related in any way to
their marriage.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants,
and undertakings herein contained, the parties hereto, each INTENDING TO BE
LEGALLY BOUND HEREBY, agree as follows:
1. Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are incorporated herein by reference as if
set forth in full.
2. Divorce. It is specifically understood and agreed by and between the parties,
and each pady does hereby warrant and represen~ to the other that, as defined
in the Pennsylvania Divorce Code, their marriage is irretrievably broken. Either
party may file a Complaint in Divorce in a court of competent jurisdiction. This
Agreement shall not be affected in any way by the filing of a Complaint in
Divorce. In the event a divorce action is filed, the parties agree to take all legal
steps (including the timely and prompt submission of all documents and the ~
taking of all action) necessary to assure that a divorce pursuant to Section
330'1(c) of the. Divorce Code is entered as soon as possible. This Agreement
shall be incorporated by reference, but not merged into the Divorce Decree
presented to the Court. Husband and Wife shall at all times hereafter have the
right to live separate and apart from each other and to reside from time to time
at such place or places as they shall respectively deem fit, free from any control,
restraint, or other interference whatsoever by the other. Neither party shall
molest the other nor endeavor to compel the other 1o cohabit or dwell with him
or her by any legal or other proceedings. The foregoing provision shall not be
taken to be an admission on the part of either Husband or Wife of the
lawfulness or unlawfulness of the causes leading to their living apart.
Marital Residence. Husband is the title owner of certain real property located at
2433 Rolling Hills Drive, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
(the "Real Property"), on which Real Property the p~arties had their marital
residence and on which they continue to reside. Wife agrees to transfer all of
her right, title and interest in and to the Real Property to Husband. Wife shall
execute the Quit Claim Deed attached hereto as Exhibit A transferring to
Husband all of her interest in the Real Property at the time of signing this
Agreement. Said Quit Claim Deed shall be held in escrowwith Husband's
attorney and shall be released to Husband upon payment by Husband to Wife
in the amount of Five Thousand & 00/1.00 ($5,000.00) Dollars pursuant to
paragraph 7.b) hereof. The parties agree that Wife may, but shall not be
obligated to, reside in the Real Property, until such time as she closes on the
purchase of a house reasonably acceptable to Wife;; provided that such closing
occur not later than three (3) months from the date of this Agreement, after
which time, sole possession of the Real Property shall be with the Husband.
Husband shall be solely liable for all mortgages, taxes, insurance, repairs an..d
maintenance relative to the Real Property and shall save Wife harmless from
any and all liability arising out of the same.
Equitable Distribution of Personal Property. Husband and Wife acknowledge
that, except as specifically set forth herein, they have divided all personal
property acquired during the marriage to their mutual satisfaction. In addition to
the personal effects of each of the parties (such as clothing, toiletries and
jewelry), which each party shall keep as separate preperty, attached hereto as
Exhibit B is a partial list of personal property items to go to or be retained by the
parties. Such items shall be transferred to the proper party not later than the
expiration date that Wife may be in the Real Property pursuant to paragraph 3
above. To the extent Wife wishes to have any other item(s) of personal
property in the Real Property, she shall have the right to submit to the Husband,
within thirty (30) days of the date of this Agreement, a list of additional items of
personal property she would like to have. If Wife does not timely submit such a
list, in writing, she shall be deemed to have waived her right to request any
additional items. If Wife does submit such a list, Husband shall respond to it by
indicating the items he is willing to give to Wife and the parties will then set a
time for the exchange of those items; provided, however, that Husband shall
only be obligated to give such of those items requested by Wife as Husband
shall agree in his sole, but reasonable discretion. E>(cept to the extent
specifically set forth herein, or in the case of failure of either party to materially
disclose the same, each party hereby specifically agrees and by this Agreement
does hereby release all of his or her right, title, and iinterest to the other's
personal property in such other party's possession.
5. Vehicles. Husband shall transfer to Wife all of his right, title and interest in and
to the 1995 Toyota Camry. Husband hereby waives any right, title or interest
that he may have in said automobile. Wife shall be responsible for all payments
on loans secured by this automobile, repairs, insurance and all other costs
incurred as a result of such ownership. Husband shall retain ownership of the
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. Wife hereby waives any right, title or interest that she
may have in said vehicle. Husband shall be responsible for all payments on the
loan to M&T Bank secured by this vehicle, repairs, insurance and all other costs
incurred as a result of such ownership. Husband shall retain ownership of the
1996 Rinker Boat and shall be responsible for the signature loan used to
purchase this Boat, repairs, insurance and all other costs incurred as a result of
such ownership.
6. Time Share. The parties are the owners of a Marriott Time Share (the "Time
Share"), which they had used for vacations. Husband agrees to transfer all of
his right, title and interest in and to the Time Share te Wife. Husband shall
execute a deed or other document necessary to confirm this transfer. Wife shall
be solely liable for all mortgages, taxes, insurance, fees, repairs and
maintenance relative to the Time Share and shall save Husband harmless from
any and all liability arising out of the same.
7. Profit Sharin,q, Retirement, and Securities. The parties will evenly divide the
Morgan Stanley IRA currently in Husband's name and shall transfer 50 %
thereof to Wife to be rolled over into an IRA in Wife's name by whatever
mechanism results in no immediate tax consequences. Each party otherwise
agrees that any other accounts or securities titled in his or her name shall be the
sole and exclusive property to the party in whose name the asset is titled and
,4
the other party hereby waives any right, title or interest that he or she may have
in said assets.
8. Husband's Business. Husband shall retain sole ownership of his interests in
Circle C Corp. and C Prime Corporation and Wife hereby waives any right, title
or interest that she may have in said business interests. Husband shall pay,to
Wife the sum often Thousand and 00/1.00 ($10,0,00.00) Dollars, to be paid to
Wife as follows:
a) Five Thousand and 00/1.00 ($5,000.00) Dollars upon her closing on the
purchase of a house as intended in paragraph 3 hereof; and
b) Five Thousand and 00/1.00 ($5,000.00) Dollars within five (5) years after the
entn/of a Decree in Divorce, said payments to be made with 25% of any net
dividends distributed to Husband from his interest in Circle C Corp., which
shall be paid to Wife within five (5) days of receipt of the same, until the
entire amount is paid in full or the expiration of s;aid five (5) year period,
whichever comes first, at which time there shall be no further obligation of
Husband to Wife pursuant to this paragraph 7.b).
9. After-Acquirad Property. Husband and Wife ackno~Medge that they have been
living separate and apart since the Separation Date. Each party expressly
waives and relinquishes any right or interest he and she may have in property,
real, personal, or mixed, purchased or otherwise acquirad by the other party
after the Separation Date, except as specifically set forth herein.
10. Joint Debts. Husband and Wife represent that there are no joint debts or other
obligations incurred by either of them currently outstanding with respect to which
the other pady may incur any liability now or in the fiJture, except as otherwise
set forih herein.
a) Obli,qations to be Assumed by Wife. In addition to any other obligations
expressly assumed by Wife hereunder, Wife shall bear sole responsibility for
the outstanding balance of her Discover Card (with an approximate balance
of $41.00) and the monthly installments for her Karate classes.
b) Ob .qations to be Assumed by Husband. In addition to any other obligations
expressly assumed by Husband hereunder, Husband shall bear sole
responsibility for the outstanding balance of the parties' debts on the
Signature Loan to Allflrst Bank (with an approximate balance of $17,650),
the First USA Account (with an approximate balance of $99.00) the Fleet
Account (with an approximate balance of $6,512.00), and the MBNA
Account (with an approximate balance of $529.00)
c) Future Debts. Neither party shall contract or incur any debt or liability for
which/he other party or his or her property or estate might be responsible,
and shall indemnify and save harmless the other' party from any and all
claims or demands, including attorneys' fees and costs, made against the
other party by reason of debts or obligations incurred by such party.
11. Indemnificatioq. Each party hereby expressly agrees to indemnity and hold
harmless the other from any and all liability, direct or' indirect, including
attorneys' fees and costs, that may arise in connection with any obligation, joint
or otherwise, for which the party has agreed hereunder to bear sole
responsibility, or which the party has failed to disclose and provide for herein.
12. Child Custody. Husband and Wife agree that the parties shall have joint legal
custody and shared physical custody of their children in accordance with the
agreement reached by the padies from time to time, taking into account each
pady's work schedules and flexibility to care for the children. For purposes of
declaring head of household status on Wife's Federal Tax Return, the parties
agree that Wife shall be deemed to be the primary physical custodian of the
minor children. The parties agree to cooperate with each other to minimize the
need for any childcare expenses, taking into accounl each party's work
schedules and flexibility to care for the children. Each party specifically
reserves the right to petition a court of competent jurisdiction for custody or
visitation rights relative to said children.
13. Child Support. Based on the parties' respective ,current incomes, Husband
agrees to pay to Wife child support in the amount of $1,500.00 per month, for
the two children, said support to commence on the first day of the month
immediately following the date Wife moves out of the Real Property, and
continuing on the first day of each month thereafter. Said amount shall be
subject to modification (either to increase or to dacrease or terminate) in
accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Support Law and Guidelines. To the
extent deemed to be necessary by mutual agreement of the parties, taking
into account the standards set forth to determine physical custody pursuant to
paragraph 11 hereof, the parties agree to evenly divide the cost of any
reasonable, necessary and agreed upon childcar'e expenses. The parties
also agree to evenly divide the costs and expenses of any child activities to
the extent the same are reasonable and agreed upon by the parties.
Husband agrees to continue to maintain health insurance for the children as
long as the same continues to be offered through his employer at no or
nominal cost to Husband (to include the cost as Husband may now be paying
to include the children on his health insurance policy. Wife shall pay the first
$250.00, per child per calendar year, of uncovered medical expenses for the
children and any additional uncovered expenses shall be evenly divided
between the parties. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary,
the parties agree that Husband shall claim both children as dependents on his
tax returns and Wife agrees to execute any IRS form necessary to confirm
this agreement.
14. Spousal Support/Alimony. Husband agrees to pay to Wife the sum of One
Thousand and 00/1.00 ($1,000.00) Dollars per month, as spousal support or
alimony, as appropriate, commencing thirty days before the date Wife
anticipates closing on the purchase of real prope,rty as a personal residence
(provided however, that Husband shall be obligated to pay only $1,000.00
before the said closing), and continuing on the same day of each subsequent
month, starting again one month after the Wife closes on the purchase of said
real property, for an indefinite period of time, subject however to modification
or termination in accordance with, and to be reviewed pursuant to,
Pennsylvania Law.
15. Other Writin,qs. Each of the parties hereto agrees to execute any and all
documents, deeds, bills of sale or other writings necessary to carry out the
intent of this Agreement or any part thereof, without undue delay or objection.
16. Counsel Fees. Each party agrees to pay his or he~' own attorney fees and
other costs associated with the subject matter of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the Divorce Action.
17. Mutual Release. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the parties
hereby release and discharge, absolutely and forever, each other from any and
all rights, claims and demands, past, present, or future, specifically, without
limitation, from the following: alimony pendente lite; alimony; spousal support;
division of property; claims or rights of dower and right to live in the marital
residence; right to act as executor or administrator in the other's estate; rights as
devisee or legatee in the Last Will and Testament of the other; any claim or right
as beneficiary in any life insurance policy of the other; and any claim or right in
the distributive share or intestate share of the other ioarty's estate.
18. Entire Agreement/Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding between the parties, and there are no covenants, conditions,
representations or agreements, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever, other
than those herein contained. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
only by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
19. Nonwaiver of Performance. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
unless and until terminated under and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
The failure of either party to insist upon strict perforrnance of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent default of the same or similar nature.
20. Invalidity. If any term, condition, clause or provision of this Agreement shall be
determined or declared to be void or invalid in law or otherwise, then only that
term, condition, clause or provision shall be stdcken from this Agreement, and in
all other respects, this Agreement shall be valid and continue in full force, effect
and operation as if such provision had not been initially included. The failure of
any party to meet her or his obligations under any one or more of the provisions
herein, with the exception of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent, if any,
shall in no way avoid or alter the remaining obligations of the parties.
21. Breach. If either party materially breaches any provision of this Agreement after
notice by the other party and failure of the breaching party to correct the breach,
the other party shall have the right, at his or her election, to sue for such breach
at law or in equity to enforce any rights and remedies which the party may have,
and the party breaching this Agreement shall be responsible for legal fees and
costs incurred by the other in enforcing his or her rights under this Agreement.
22. Govemin.q Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the Commonweallh of Pennsylvania.
23. Successors in Interest. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns.
24. Le,qal Effect. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to effect a
legally binding property settlement between the parties. Husband ha.,s
been represented by Wix, Wenger & Weidner and Stephen J. Dzuranin,
Esquire. Wife has been advised by Husband's counsel to obtain
separate legal counsel and has vo_.__.~luntarily,~chosen not to seek counsel.
Each party acknowledges that sh~this Agreement,
has been afforded sufficient time to seek counsel and to discuss this
Agreement and all financial information related to this Agreement with
counsel, fully understands the facts, has been fully informed as to her
or his legal fights and obligations by counsel, or has waived the fight to
do so and each party acknowledges and accepts that this Agreement is
fair and equitable, that it is being entered into freely and voluntarily and
that this Agreement and the execution thereof is not the result of any
duress, undue influence or collusion.~'- ")4'~,
25. Telecopier This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be considered an original instrument and all of which
together shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become
effective when counterparts, which together contain the signatures of each
party, shall have been delivered to all of the parties hereto. Delivery of
executed signature pages by facsimile transmissien shall constitute effective
and binding execution and delivery of this Agreement. Thereafter, the parties
will make good faith efforts to exchange original signed counterparts
10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the padies hereto have set their hands and seals the day
and year first above written.
WITNESS: WIFE:
VVITNESS:
Tammy L~ek&r ~
HUSBAND:
Kevin S. Meeker
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
· SS.
COUNTY OF ~
On this, the '/ day of June, 2002, before rne, a Notary Public, the
undersigned officer, personally appeared Tammy L. Meeker, known to me (or
satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is signed to the foregoing
instrument and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes therein
expressed.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
SS.
COUNTY OF ~L~~
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and notarial seal.
My Commission Expires: I
(SEAL) !
On this, the '/-- day of June, 2002, before rne, a Notary Public, the
undersigned officer, personally appeared Kevin S. Meeker, known to me (or
satisfactorily proven) to be the person whose name is signed to the foregoing
instrument and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes therein
expressed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set rny hand and notarial seal.
My Commission Expiresl Nom~ ~ '1
Robe~a L Nlckle~l, Nolafy Publk~ I
(SEAL) / L~.~~W i
EXHIBIT A
QUIT CLAIM DEED
EXHIBIT B
PERSONAL PROPERTY
F:~jd~,654 Meeker, Kevin\l 1812 Domestic Relations\Document s~arital Sefflemer)t Agreement.doc 6/7/02 2:24 PM
1,4
D
Exhibit 2
IN THE COURT Of COMMON PLEAS
OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
STATE OF .~. PENNA.
KEVIN S. MEEKER~
Plaintiff
VERSUS
TAMMY L. MEEKER~
Defendant
NO. 02 3649 Civil Term
DeCree iN
DIVORCE
AND NOW,
KEVIN S. MEEKER
DECREED THAT
TAMMY L. MEEKER
AND
,LO ,~ , ~T IS ORDERED AND
, PLAINTIFF,
, DEFENDANT,
ARE DIVORCED FROM THE BONDS OF MATRIMONY.
THE COURT RETAINS JURISDICTION OF THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS WHICh hAVE
BEEN RAISED OF RECORD IN THIS ACTION FOR WHICH A FINAL ORDEr HAS NOT
YET BEEN ENTERED;
The Marital Settlement Agreement dated June 7~ 2002~ attached
hereto is incorporated herein by reference but not merged into this
Decree in Divorce.
BY THe COURT: ///7 //~
PROTHONOTARY
Exhibit 3
THERESA BARRETT MALE, ESQUIRE
To:
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
From:
Stephen J. Dztmanm, Esquire Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
FAX NU~i&~u Date:
717-234-4224 November 14, 2003
COMPANY: TOTAL NO. OF PAGES INCLUDING COVEI~
Wix, Wenger & Weidner 1
PHONE NU~.DG~ SENDER'S REFERENCE NUMBER:
717-234-4182 N/A
Re: YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER:
Meeker v. Meeker 02-3649 Civil Term
[] URGENT X FOR REVIEW [] PLEASE COMMENT X PLEASE REPLY [] PLEASE RECYCLE
NOTES/COMMENTS:
Per my voice mail message to you yesterday, please pro%fie documentation regarding Mr.
Meeker's Morgan Stanley LR~ to facilitate transfer of the 50% portion awarded to our client
pursuant to paragraph of the pames settlement agreement. Thanks.
Susan C. Appleby, Paralegal
Cc: Tammy L. Meeker
513 NORTH SECOND STREET · HARRISBBURG, PA 17101
PIIONE: 717-233-3220 · FAX: 717-233-6862
TRANSMISSION
USER NAME
DESTINATION 2344224
DEST. NUMBER 2344224
F CODE
PAGE3 1 8heet~
RESULT OK
REPORT
(FRt) NOV 14 2003 10:38
DOCUMENT#
TIME STORED
TiME 3ENT
DURATION
MODE
5012741-071
10:37,11/14
10:37,11/14
13sec
ECM
P. 1
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~N
PROOFOFSERVICE
I hereby certify that I am this day serving a copy of the foregoing document upon the
persons and in the manner indicated below which service satisfies the requirements of Pa.
R.C.P. 440:
Service by first-class mail addressed as follows:
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esquire
Wix, Wenger & Weidner
508 North Second Street
P. O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
Date: February 12, 2004
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY L. MEEKER Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
ORDER OFCOURT
AND NOW, February
2004, upon consideration of Defendant's
Petition to Enforce Settlement Agreement Pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3502(e), the Court
enters a rule on Plaintiff to show cause why the relief requested should not be granted.
The Rule is returnable at a hearing set for March ,~/f , 2004, at
~-~...m. in Courtroom #/-d~, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania.
BY THE COURT:
Distribution:
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esq., P. O. Box 845, Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Theresa Barrett Male, Esq., 513 N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17101
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER
Plaintiff
V,
TAMMY L. MEEKER Defendant
NO. 02~3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
PRAECIPE
To the Prothonotary:
Please index this case as lis pendens against the improved real estate located at 2433
Rolling Hills Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
Date; March 24, 2004
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisbuq~, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER :
Plaintiff :
:
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
DEFENDANT'S OBJECTION TO PLAINTIFF'S
REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE
1. At 12:38 p.m. on March 30, 2004, counsel for defendant received by fax from
plaintiff's counsel a "Petition for Continuance."
2. Plaintiff is seeking to continue a hearing set for tomorrow, March 31, 2004, at
9:30 a.m.
3.
a,
Defendant opposes this request for the following reasons:
Defendant filed her petition for enforcement of the parties' marital settlement
agreement on February 17, 2004, and served Plaintiff's counsel that same
date. Plaintiff therefore has had ample notice of the claims.
By order dated February 29, 2004, this Court set the hearing on Defendant's
enforcement petition for March 31, 2004. Plaintiff therefore had ample notice
of the hearing date.
O=
On Monday, March 29, 2004, at 9:51 a.m., Barb, assistant to Attorney Kara
Haggerty, informed defense counsel's paralegal that Attorney Haggerty had met
with Plaintiff. Although she had not been retained, Attorney Haggerty was
requesting a continuance of the March 3~L hearing. Barb also stated that
Plaintiff was out of town, and Ms. Haggerty did not have all of the materials she
needed for the hearing.
Attorney Haggerty later confirmed directly with defense counsel that she had
not been retained by Plaintiff. Defense counsel indicated, however, that
defendant might agree to continue the March 31 hearing if Plaintiff deposited
with Defendant's counsel a substantial payment for past due support.~ and the
issues raised in the enforcement petition, including past due alimony.2
On March 30, 2004, Ms. Haggerty advised that Plaintiff had earmarked the
$210,000.00 for his debts and obligations.3. Plaintiff told Attorney Haggerty,
however, that he had liquidated the Morgan Stanley IRA at issue in Defendant's
enforcement petition.4
~ As of March 22, 2004, Plaintiff's support arrears exceeded $~.4,000.00. He has not made any payments for
the support of his children, much less on his alimony obligation, in months.
2 On March ~.3, 2004, Plaintiff received $2~0,000.00 from two S corporations in which he had been a
shareholder. Defendant did not learn of this payment until the de novo support hearing on March ~9, 2004,
which Plaintiff also attempted, at the last minute, to continue.
3 This did not include, however, his support obligations to his children and his ex-wife.
4 Pursuant to paragraph 7 of the parties' settlement agreement, Defendant was to receive 50% of the IRA via a
domestic relations order.
2
f. Ms. Haggerty relayed Plaintiff's offer to pay a small sum to Defendant in order to
continue the enforcement hearing and to resolve the support action. Defendant
rejected the offer.
g. Plaintiff's last-minute request for continuance is a delay tactic, aimed at
preventing the Court from seizing or attaching any portion of the $210,000.00.
h. If the Court delays the hearing, Plaintiff will have an opportunity to expend all of
these funds, allowing Defendant no opportunity to recoup an award in her favor.
Wherefore, Defendant requests the Court to deny Plaintiff's petition for co~ntinuance.
Alternatively, Defendant requests the Court to enter an order freezing Plaintiff's bank
acco u htS.
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
Date: March 30, 2004
3
PROOF OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I am this day serving a copy of the foregoing document upon the
persons and in the manner indicated below which service satisfies the requirements of Pa.
R.C.P. 440:
Service by fax addressed as follows:
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esquire
Wix, Wenger & Weidner
508 North Second Street
P. O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
Date: March 30, 2004
KEVIN S. MEEKER,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
TAMMY L. MEEKER, :
Defendant :
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: PLAINTIFF'S PETITION FOR CONTINUANCE
OF HEARING ON PETITION TO ENFORCE MARITAl,
SE'I'ILEMENT AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO
23 PA. C.S.A. §3502(e)
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 30th day of March, 2004, Plaintiff's petition for a cominuance is
denied; it is noted that this matter has been scheduled since February 29, 2004 and that
he court s schedule will not accommodate a rescheduled hearing until July, 2004.
~tephen J. Dzuranin, Esq.
508 N. Second Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
Attorney for Plaintiff
v~T~eresa Barrett Male, Esq.
513 N. Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
BY THE COURT,
esley Ol~j~r.,
KEVIN S. MEEKER, :
Plaintiff :
V. :
TAMMY L. MEEKER, :
Defendant :
AND NOW,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
this 31st day of March, 2004, upon
consideration of Defendant's Petition To Enforce Settlement
Agreement Pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3502(e), and
following a hearing held on March 31, 2004, the record is
declared closed, and the matter is taken under advisement.
PENDING FURTHER order of court, the Plaintiff,
Kevin S. Meeker, is enjoined from diminishing, withdrawing,
transferring, encumbering, or otherwise depleting in value
any bank, savings bank, or similar account containing
proceeds from his settlement with Circle C Corporation and
his settlement with C Prime Corporation, and any bank,
savings bank, or similar institution holding said accounts
is, to the extent of this Court's authority, enjoined from
permitting any such diminution, withdrawal, transfer,
encumbrance, or other such depletion. In addition, to the
extent that any proceeds from the said settlement or
settlements are in Plaintiff's possession in any other form,
whether real, personal, or mixed property, the Plaintiff is
similarly enjoined from any such diminution, withdrawal,
transfer, encumbrance or other depletion in value.
Pursuant to a request of counsel for Defendant, the
stenographer is requested to transcribe and file the notes of
testimony from the hearing held on this date.
Pursuant to a request of each counsel and the
Court, briefs shall be submitted within thirty days from
today's date on the issue of whether Defendant may enforce a
support/alimony obligation of Plaintiff through 23 Pa. C.S.A.
Section 3502(e) in this proceeding, given the existence of a
support order relating to Plaintiff's obligations in those
respects and the pendency of an enforcement proceeding
relating to the support order initiated through a contempt
petition in the Domestic Relations Division of this Court.
By the Court,
Stephen J. Dzuranin, Esquire
508 North Second Street
P.O. Box 845
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
For the Plaintiff
Jo
Theresa Barrett Male, Esquire
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
For the Defendant
:lfh
KEVIN S. MEEKER, :
Plaintiff :
V. :
T~MMY L. MEEKER, :
Defendant :
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
NO. 02-3649 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS
Proceedings held before the
Honorable J. WESLEY OLER, JR.,
Cumberland County Courthouse,
on Wednesday, March 31, 2004,
Jo
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
commencing at 9:30 a.m.
in Courtroom Number One
APPEARANCES:
Stephen J. Dzuranin,
For the Plaintiff
Theresa Barrett Male,
For the Defendant
Esquire
Esquire
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
FOR THE PLAINTIFF
Ex. No. 1 letter (9/12/03)
Ex. No. 2 letter (9/5/03)
FOR THE DEFENDANT
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
Ex. No.
1 - marital settlement
agreement
2 - divorce decree
3 - fee bill
4 - support complaint
5 - order of court 6/23/03
6 - de novo request 6/26/03
7 - modification petition
8 - contempt petition
9 - order of court 2/25/04
10 - order of court 3/22/04
11 - order of court 3/26/04
MARKED
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MARKED
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ADMITTED
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ADMITTED
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(Whereupon, Defendant's Exhibit Nos. 1
through 3 were marked for identification.)
THE COURT: We will let the record indicate
that the Court is in session in the case of Meeker versus
Meeker at No. 02-3649 Civil Term. We will also let the
record indicate that the Defendant, Tammy L. Meeker, is
present in court with her counsel, Theresa Barrett Male,
Esquire. The Plaintiff, Kevin S. Meeker, has not appeared;
however, his counsel of record, Stephen J. Dzuranin,
Esquire, is present.
The Court has met in chambers with counsel and
understands that the Plaintiff had called in at some point
after 9:30 this morning, when the matter was scheduled to be
that he would be late but would arrive by
however, it is now 10:15, and he has
heard, to indicate
10:10 this morning;
still not appeared.
For that
reason we will proceed with the hearing,
and we will recess at such time as he may appear to give Mr.
Dzuranin an opportunity to speak further with him about the
case.
The issue before the Court is
to Enforce Settlement Agreement pursuant
Section 3502(e). Having met in chambers with counsel, the
Court understands that Ms. Male will not be pursuing, in
this proceeding, any issues except the enforcement of the
Defendant's Petition
to 23 Pa. C.S.A.
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agreement as it relates to division of marital property and
specifically a certain IRA account of the Defendant without
prejudice to her position that the support and alimony
matters mentioned in this petition could be pursued in this
proceeding.
Instead, the Court's understanding is that Ms.
Male will be pursuing the alimony and support issues through
an alternative proceeding presently pending in the Domestic
Relations Office. Is that correct, Ms. Male?
MS. MALE: For the most part, Your Honor. I
just wanted the record -- I wanted to be clear that it's the
Defendant's position that she has not only her remedy
through the Domestic Relations Section pursuant to the order
that's in place but also through her contract.
Some of the legal precedents that I had cited to
the Court in chambers, including Nicholson v. Combs, Swartz
v. Swartz, Patterson v. Robbins, we have agreed after
conference with the Court and counsel to route those
contract issues to Judge Guido who has an enforcement
proceeding scheduled for May 20.
THE COURT: Well, I don't think the agreement
was that Judge Guido would deal with t[he contract. He would
deal with the issues as support matters rather than as
contract issues. He doesn't have this case that I have now
before me in his courtroom. He has the support matters
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through the support office.
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor. Perhaps I
misunderstood what we were speaking.
THE COURT: Ail right. I'll tell you what.
I'll hear the entire case then, but I won't be able to make
a decision on it today because I need to research the issue
of whether the support orders can be enforced in the way
that you're attempting to enforce them now.
MS. MALE: Well, Your Honor, what I was going
to recommend was we would merely route that part of our
petition --
THE COURT: I won't do that to Judge Guido.
He has too much work of his own.
MS. MALE: Oh.
THE COURT: My understanding was that you
simply were to forego that aspect of your petition here in
reference to enforcing the support and alimony obligations
of Mr. Meeker through the support office and through the
contempt proceedings that are presently being pursued
through that avenue without prejudice to your argument that
it would be enforced through this proceeding as well.
MS. MALE: Then I'm not sure how we would
preserve our issues if Judge Guido doesn't have that
petition or some --
THE COURT:
I'll simply hear the whole
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petition
witness?
BY MS.
20657.
this morning. Do you want to call your first
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor, Tammy L. Meeker.
Whereupon,
TAMMY L. MEEKER
having been duly sworn, testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
MALE:
Q
A
Q
A
State your full name, please.
Tammy L. Meeker.
What is your address?
12036 Bullwhip Trail, Lusby, Maryland,
Q
respect to the enforcement
in his opening remarks?
A Yes, I am.
Q Ms. Meeker,
And, Ms. Meeker, are you the Petitioner with
petition referenced by the Court
let me show' you a copy of the
Petition to Enforce Settlement Agreement and ask you if that
is, in fact, the petition
A Yes, it is.
Q Are all of
true and correct to the best of your
and belief?
that we filed in this matter?
the allegations in this petition
knowledge, information,
A Yes, they are.
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Q Did you and the Plaintiff,
a marital settlement agreement on
A
Kevin Meeker, sign
June 7th, 2002?
Yes, we did.
Showing you what we've marked Plaintiff's
or,
excuse me, Defendant's Exhibit 1 for
you would turn to the signature page.
signature?
identification, and if
Is that your
A Yes, it is.
Q Under Paragraph 7 of this agreement --
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, may I have a copy
of the -- I have a copy of the MSA, but I would like to see
what you're talking about as well.
MS. MALE: I'm sorry, Steve. I apologize.
BY MS. MALE:
Q If you would turn to Paragraph 7 of this
agreement, Ms. Meeker, were you to receive 50 percent of the
balance in a Morgan Stanley IRA titled in your husband's
name through a Domestic Relations order?
A Yes, I was.
Q Have you requested from your husband,
ex-husband, either directly or through counsel to have that
50 percent transferred to you?
A Yes.
Q And as of today's
A No.
date ihas that been done?
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Q
of the time that
agreement?
A
25 thousand.
Meeker?
A Yes.
Do you know what the account balance was as
you and Mr. Meeker signed this settlement
Not the exact amount, somewhere between 20 to
Did those account statements come to Mr.
We were in
A
Up until May of 2003.
What happened in May of 20037
In May of 2003 he stopped paying.
Q Was your name on the account thereby allowing
you access to any of the information?
A No.
Q Under the terms of this agreement, Ms.
Meeker, did Mr. Meeker agree to pay you spousal
support/alimony?
A Yes.
Q And if you would turn, please, to I believe
it's Page 7 of the agreement, excuse me, Page 8. Did Mr.
Meeker agree or, excuse me, commence paying you a thousand
dollars per month thirty days after you closed on your home?
A Yes.
Q Did he continue to pay the thousand dollars
per month thereafter?
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Domestic Relations for child support, and he elected not to
pay anymore.
Q Since May of 2003 have you received any
alimony payments from Mr. Meeker?
A No.
Q Have you received any payments from Mr.
Meeker through a Domestic Relations order that was entered
in June and effective in March of 2003?
A Yes.
Q And do you know when the last payment you
received under that Domestic Relations order was?
A
January 21st,
in that park.
Q
A
They took it from his [Last unemployment check
I believe, and I got the check February 6th,
And how much was that check for?
$225.00.
THE COURT: Of this year?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
BY MS. MALE:
Q
through the
A
Q
payments you've been receiving?
A Basically $450.00
Prior to that did you receive any money
Domestic Relations Section?
Yes.
And could you tell me briefly what sort
of
twice a month, and that was
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ruled in with child support and spousal/alimony support
combined.
was?
all
Q Do you know what the source of the $450.00
A Unemployment.
Q Do you know anything about the status of Mr.
Meeker's employment currently?
A Other than that he's unemployed?
Q Do you know if he's continued to receive
unemployment benefits?
A No, he's not.
Q At some point after May of 2003 did you,
through counsel, make a demand on Mr. Meeker to pay the
thousand dollars per month pursuant to Paragraph 14 on the
first day of each month as required?
to that.
BY MS. MALE:
Q
A
Q
A Yes.
Q And did he
THE COURT:
comply?
I don't think there was an answer
MS. MALE: Was the answer yes?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
And did he comply with that?
No, he did not.
In addition to payments that
you were due
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under this provision,
agreement to pay certain sums
MR. DZURANIN:
not an issue today.
MS. MALE:
the next question.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
did Mr. Meeker also promise in this
to you for child support?
Your Honor, child support is
I'm merely laying a foundation for
Which is going to be what?
Well, it has to do with the child
care and other expenses that are part of the non-Domestic
Relations
support issue.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
THE COURT:
BY MS. MALE:
Q
Did Mr.
Is that in your petition?
Yes, Your Honor, it is.
You may ask the question.
Meeker agree to pay child support
under the terms of this agreement?
A Yes, he did.
Q In addition to the child support amount, were
there other sums that Mr.
the alimony?
A Yes.
don't
those
Meeker was to pay you along with
Q And what were those?
MR. DZURANIN: Excuse me, Your Honor. I
see in the petition where she makes any claim for
expenses or those costs. There was a statement saying
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there was a requirement to pay child support but nothing
referencing child care or any other medical expenses at all.
MS. MALE: Excuse me, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Sure.
MS. MALE: Your Honor, in Paragraphs 14
and
15 of the petition we've alleged that Mr. Meeker agreed to
pay certain sums for support under Paragraphs 13 and 14 of
the agreement, and Paragraph 15 indicates that he failed to
pay those sums which resulted in her ultimately filing and
perfecting the support action, but he still owes certain
sums under those provisions that certainly pre-date the
filing of the support proceeding. I thought that was clear
from that paragraph, Your Honor.
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, we've had
discussions that child support is not at issue in this case.
Asking questions directly relating to that and trying to
then pound them into these paragraphs I think is unfair and
a misrepresentation to the Court.
THE COURT: Well, there were discussions in
chambers about Ms. Male's pursuing the support obligation
through the support enforcement procedure, but my
understanding is that's no longer the case. So that, in
other words, she's pursuing the entire petition in front of
me as well as proceeding in another courtroom on some
support obligation, so I'll permit the question.
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BY MS. MALE:
Q
addition to the
A
Q
A
MS. MALE: Thank you, Your Honor.
Did Mr. Meeker agree to pay other sums
alimony and the child support amounts?
Yes, he did.
And what were those?
Half of day care, I believe,
and half of the
children's outside expenses, T-ball, Daisies, Boy Scouts,
things of that nature.
Q Did there come a time after you and Mr.
Meeker signed this agreement in June of 2002 that Mr. Meeker
stopped paying those expenses?
A Yes.
Q And when was that?
A May of 2003.
Q Since May of 2003 has Mr. Meeker paid you any
money towards child care expenses?
A No, he has not.
Q Has he paid any money towards the children's
extra-curricular activities?
A No, he has not.
Q Has he paid any money towards Daisies or Cub
Scouts or any other extra-curricular activities?
A No, he hasn't.
Q
Do you know what amount of money you've paid
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for those activities
A
Q
since he stopped paying?
Not the exact figure.
Can you estimate what you've paid on a
monthly basis for those things since ]May of 2003?
A Close to 100, between $175.00 to $200.00 per
month.
Q And how are you allocating that 175 to 200 a
month, for what?
A For day care, also for Daisies, for their
uniforms. For Cody, Cub Scouts, for T-ball, for all the
things that I need for those activities to happen.
Q Showing you what we've marked Defendant's 2
for identification, is that a copy of the decree in divorce
that was entered by this Court on August 27th, 2003?
A Yes, it is.
Q After the entry of this divorce decree, Ms.
Meeker, did Mr. Meeker make any efforts to transfer the
funds in the Morgan Stanley IRA to you?
A No, he did not.
Q As a result of the issues we've been
discussing, have you incurred legal fees?
A Yes.
Q Showing you what we've marked Defendant's 3
for identification, is that an accounting of the fees that
you have incurred on the settlement agreement issues that
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you've just testified to?
A Yes, they are.
Q Are those fees based on a written fee
agreement that you have with me?
A Yes, they are.
Q Does that written agreement require you to
pay
A
Q
$195.00 per hour for legal fees?
Yes, it does.
And do you also pay a reduced sum for things
that are handled by a paralegal?
A Yes.
Q This exhibit -- does it indicate total fees
starting in September of 2003 totaling $3,019.007
A Yes,
Q And,
subpoena issued to Mr.
A Yes.
$50.00?
it does.
in addition, does it have a cost
Meeker for today of $3.00?
Q
for a
And a fee to file a re]ply to a petition of
A Yes, it does.
Q Is the total amount that you're seeking for
damages under your contract $3,072.00?
A Yes, it is.
Ms. Meeker, if, in fact,
legal
the Court awards you
fees and 50 percent of the amount that you recall was
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in that Morgan Stanley IRA, is it your request that the
Court freeze Mr. Meeker's accounts in order to allow you to
collect those funds?
A Yes, it is.
Q And could you explain why you feel that's
necessary?
A I believe that Mr. Meeker is going to take
the money and run. I don't think thaL I'll ever see it.
He's proven up until this point that he can't be trusted.
Q What money are you talking about?
A His money that he received, I believe it was,
March llth, $210,000.00.
Q And do you know the so'urce of those funds?
A It was his settlement or buyout from Circle C
Corporation and C Prime.
Q Circle C Corporation?
A Correct.
Q And C Prime Corporation?
A Correct.
Q Are those S corporations in which Mr. Meeker
previously was a shareholder?
A Yes, they are.
Q Is it your understanding that Mr. Meeker has
deposited those funds already?
A I believe that he has.
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Q
bank accounts?
A
Q
A
Q
Do you know where Mr. Meeker maintains any
I only know of M & T.
M & T Bank?
Correct.
Do you know what rate ,Df
interest the Morgan
Stanley IRA was paying at the time that you and Mr. Meeker
signed this settlement agreement?
A No, I do not.
Q Are you asking the Court to award some rate
of interest at the legal rate of 6 percent on the sum of
money that you should have received as of June 7, 2002?
A
Yes, I am.
MS. MALE: Thank you, Ms. Meeker.
THE COURT: Are counsel able to stipulate as
to what the status of the enforcement proceedings are in the
support matter?
MS. MALE:
THE COURT:
Your Honor ---
In other words, number one, can I
have an exhibit which contains the support order, and,
number two, can I have some stipulation as to where the
contempt petition stands in that case.
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor. If I could have
a moment.
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, may I suggest
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while Ms.
record indicate
appeared in the
MS. MALE:
Male looks for that, see if my client is outside.
THE COURT: Certainly. We will let the
that apparently the Defendant has still not
courthouse.
Your Honor, I do not have my
support file with me. I can give you the docket nu~er and
the PACSES number for the support matter, and I can
certainly represent that there had been an enforcement
hearing scheduled in front of Judge Guido for April 22nd.
Within the last two days I received an order rescheduling
that enforcement hearing for May 20th, 2004.
THE COURT: Mr. Dzuranin, are you able to
help out here?
Honor.
MR. DZURANIN: Not from that stack, Your
If I could have just another moment.
THE COURT: Certainly.
MS. MALE: Your Honor, I could contact my
paralegal and have her fax over a copy of that order. We
could have it within a couple of minutes.
THE COURT: What would really help me is not
only the order but the petition for contempt filed in this
matter so that we have some idea of when that was filed
compared to when your petition
MS. MALE: Well,
copy.
for enforcement was filed.
Your Honor, I don't have a
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MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, what I have is the
court order of June 23rd, 2003, which was the initial order
from the Domestic Relations Office. ff counsel can
stipulate, I think we can agree that that order has been
appealed on a de novo basis to the support master.
In addition Mr. Meeker has filed a petition to
modify this order, which is being heard in that same
hearing. The first part of that hearing was held on March
19th, 2004, and it's been continued then until April 19th.
MALE: No, it had been scheduled for
MS.
April.
MR. DZURANIN: I'm sorry,
the underlying master's hearing.
MS. MALE: April 19th.
19th, 2004.
enforcement --
support order,
I'm talking about
MR. DZURANIN: That's been continued to April
In addition Domestic Relations has an
Domestic Relations is trying to enforce the
and that hearing had originally been
scheduled for April 22nd, and according to Ms.
been now postponed until May --
MS. MALE: 20th.
more detail.
the hearing is in front
Male, that's
MR. DZURANIN: -- 20th.
THE COURT: It would help me to have a little
You talk about a hearing. I don't know whom
of, whether it's already gone to the
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support master for a hearing or whether it's gone to a
conference officer before that, when the petition for
enforcement through the contempt powers was filed in the
support case.
It might help to take a short recess and make a
copy of the support file so we have all that information,
because my concern in this case, since we're dealing now
with support obligations in this proceeding, is that there
is a parallel proceeding in another w~nue at least before
another judge, and I'm not sure how that interacts with what
I'm doing here.
So why don't we take a brief recess. That will
give your client a few more minutes, Mr. Dzuranin, to appear
and, Ms. Male, perhaps you could get a copy of the support
file, the official file,
file an exhibit here.
MS. MALE:
and we can just simply make that
Your Honor, I will certainly put
a call in to Domestic Relations to see if they can bring
their file over. The petition for enforcement that's
pending with Judge Guido, I don't haw~ a copy of that
because that was done by the Domestic Relations Office.
THE COURT: But it was done on behalf of the
Plaintiff~ so I simply need that information. I have to
assign this to a law clerk to take a Look at after the
hearing today, so that petition would be in the Domestic
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Relations file?
MR. DZURANIN: Yes, Your Honor, I would
imagine it would be, yes.
MS. MALE: It should be.
THE COURT: We'll take a brief recess.
MS. MALE: Thank you, Your Honor.
{Whereupon, Plaintiff's Exhibit Nos. 1 and 2
were marked for identification.)
(Whereupon, Defendant's Exhibit Nos. 4
through 11 were marked for identification.)
THE COURT: We will let the record i~dicate
that the Court has reconvened in the oase of Meeker versus
Meeker. Mr. Dzuranin, has your client appeared yet?
MR. DZURANIN: I haven't found him yet, Your
Honor.
THE COURT: There was a gentleman sitting
the hallway outside the courtroom. I'm not sure if that
would be him.
MR. DZURANIN: May I check real quick?
Courtroom No.
the Domestic
THE COURT: Certainly. He's sitting outside
3.
MR. DZURANIN: That's not him, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Ail right. Thank you. Ms. Male.
MS. MALE: During the recess we did secure
Relations file which was at Mr. Rundle's
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office.
THE COURT: Mr. Rundle is the Support Master
for Cumberland County relating to support matters.
MS. MALE: Mr. Dzuranin and I have marked a
number of exhibits which we feel may be relevant to the
Court's determination.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
tell you what those are.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
Ail right.
And if I may, Your Honor, I'll
Ail right.
Defendant's Exhibit 4 is the
complaint for support filed March 20th, 2003. Defendant's 5
is the June 23rd, 2003, Domestic Relations order that was
docketed on June 24th of 2003.
THE COURT: Ail right.
MS. MALE: Defendant's 6 is Mr. Meeker's
June 23rd, 2003, order.
10th, 2003. Defendant's
request for a de novo hearing which was docketed on June 27,
2003. Defendant's 7 is Mr. Meeker's petition to modify the
The petition was docketed July
8 is the petition for contempt
filed by Frank B. Goshorn who is the Domestic Relations
Officer assigned to the case.
25, 2004.
It was docketed on February
contempt
THE COURT: And that's a petition for
filed on behalf of the Plaintiff to enforce the
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support, spousal support/alimony and child support order?
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor. It's a petition
for contempt against the Defendant filled -- the Petitioner
is Cumberland County Domestic Relations --
failure
THE COURT: Ail right.
MS. MALE: -- against the Defendant for
to pay the support order.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
court docketed February 25,
Meeker on April 22nd, 2004,
Ail right.
Defendant's 9 is the order of
2004, setting a hearing for Mr.
and that is the hearing on the
contempt petition filed by Domestic Relations.
THE COURT: And who will be hearing that
petition?
MS. MALE: That's in front of Judge Guido,
Your Honor. Defendant's Exhibit 10 is the order docketed on
March 22nd, 2004, rescheduling the support -- excuse me,
continuing the support master's hearing to April 19th, 2004.
We have no paperwork to giwe to you, but counsel
agree that Mr. Meeker's de
modify were assigned to Mr.
of that hearing on March
the order scheduling the
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
novo request and petition to
Rundle for hearing. We had part
19th, 2004, and Defendant's 10 is
next part of that hearing.
Ail right.
The final exhibit, Your Honor, is
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Defendant's Exhibit 11, which is an order entered March
26th, 2004, rescheduling the enforcement hearing from April
22nd to May 20th, and that is again in front of Judge Guido.
THE COURT: Ail right. Very good. I think
that's just exactly what I need. Has the original file been
returned to Mr. Rundle?
I believe tlhe court reporter has
MS. MALE:
made arrangements to have the file re~zurned to Mr. Rundle's
And, Your Honor, may I indulge
There was another piece of
office, Your Honor.
MR. DZURANIN:
you for just another minute.
paper that might be in the file I might also want to make
part of it, which is Mr. Goshorn's sending a letter to my
client saying that no enforcement action would be taken
until his de novo hearing was heard and decided. It just
occurred to me that I had that letter. May I look in the
file to see if that is there to add to the exhibits?
THE COURT: Sure.
MR. DZURANIN: That order is not in the file,
Your Honor, so I have nothing else to add.
THE COURT: Ail right.
MR. DZURANIN: Thank you for your time.
THE COURT: Do we know why Judge Guido
continued his enforcement hearing on the contempt petition
to May 20th?
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placed a call
when I received the order,
THE COURT:
MS. MALE: Your Honor, I do not. I had
to Mr. Goshorn yesterday or the day before
but we hawen't hooked up as yet.
We should let the record indicate
that Frank Goshorn is a
right. Let's
stand and Mr.
Domestic Relations officer. Ail
see. Ms. Meeker, I believe you were on the
Dzuranin was about to cross-examine you.
You're still under oath.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q Now, Ms. Meeker, under direct examination you
testified that the petition that you signed, all of the
allegations are true and correct to the best of your
knowledge, information, and belief. Is that correct?
A Correct.
Q May I show you a copy of that petition?
A Sure.
MR. DZURANIN: May I approach, Your Honor?
THE COURT: Certainly. If I did not place it
on the record before, I gather, Mr. Dzuranin, that the
gentleman in the hallway was not your client?
MR. DZURANIN: That's oorrect, Your Honor.
THE COURT: So he remains -- he has not
appeared yet?
MR. DZURANIN: That's oorrect.
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BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q Now, Ms. Meeker, I've ihanded you a copy of
the petition for enforcement of marital settlement
agreement. Could you please turn to Page 3 of the petition?
A (Witness complies.)
THE COURT: While she's doing that, I should
indicate for the record that it is now 11:25 a.m.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q And can you read for tine Court, please,
Paragraph 19 of your petition?
A Mr. Meeker's failure to comply with his
support obligations under the agreement required Ms. Meeker
to claim the dependency exemptions thereby providing an
additional source of income for herself and her children.
Q And there's a footnote to that, correct?
A Yes, there is.
Q Could you read the fooLnote so that we have
the record complete?
Mr. Meeker has been unemployed since July
A
2003.
Q
Now, Ms. Meeker, does l_he marital settlement
agreement define who was to get the dependency exemptions
for your two children?
A Yes.
MR. DZURANIN: Excuse me, Your Honor. I was
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just handed a note that says Kevin Meeker is at Holy Spirit
Hospital emergency room. Passed out on his way here.
THE COURT: Do we know --
MR. DZURANIN: I have no other information
other than the note that was just handed to me,
THE COURT:
tipstaff?
Your Honor.
The note w~s provided by my
MR. DZURANIN: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Ail right. Mr.
mind asking my secretary to come in to let
from. We need -Lo make
that information came
this.
Ahlers, would you
us know where
a record for
We will let the record indicate that the Court's
secretary, Ruth Coulson, is now present in court. Ms.
Coulson, Mr. Dzuranin received a note., I believe from you,
indicating that his client was at Holy Spirit Hospital in
the emergency room having passed out someplace. From whom
did the message come and how did it come?
MS. COULSON: Mr. Meeker called just several
minutes ago and said that he was at Holy Spirit Hospital
getting ready to go into the emergency room for treatment,
that he had passed out on his way to the courthouse.
THE COURT: Ail right. Are counsel satisfied
that is the information received by Ms. Coulson purportedly
from Mr. Meeker?
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Mr. Dzuranin.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q
to you was,
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor.
MR. DZURANIN: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Thank you 'very much,
Ms. Coulson.
Now, Ms. Meeker, I believe my last question
Does the marital settlement agreement, a copy of
A
A
Q If
marital settlement
which is attached to your petition, designate who was to get
the child dependency exemptions for income tax returns?
Yes.
And who is to get those?
Mr. Meeker.
I could ask you to turn to Page 7 of the
agreement and ask you to confirm that
Paragraph 13 does indicate that he is to get those
exemptions. Could you read for the Court please the last
sentence on that page?
A Notwithstanding any provision herein to the
contrary, the parties agree that husband shall claim both
children as dependents on his tax returns and wife agrees to
execute any IRS form necessary to confirm this agreement.
Q Now, Ms. Meeker, where in the agreement --
THE COURT: Mr. Dzuranin, it occurs to me I
should probably put something on the record about Mr.
Meeker's earlier information that he was going to be here at
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ten after ten this morning.
Are you able to represent for the record what he
had told you as to why he would not arrive at 9:30 when the
hearing was scheduled for?
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, I don't remember
the exact words, but the conversation was that he was on his
way here. He had forgotten the documents that were included
in the subpoena issued by Defendant's counsel. He turned
around to go get those documents.
He was locked out of his house then because the
realtor who has the house listed for sale had locked the
door, and he had to call that realtor in order to let him
in. And he had just gotten into his house at the time that
he had called, which I believe was about ten minutes to ten.
THE COURT: All right. Had he indicated at
all in that conversation that he wasn"t feeling well?
did not.
MR. DZURANIN: No, Your Honor, not to me he
THE COURT: I
just wanted to place that on
the record because otherwise it might be felt that he must
have been sick earlier, and that was the reason he hadn't
come in on time. Thank you.
MR. DZURANIN: Thank you, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Mr. Dzuranin.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
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Q
Mr. Meeker was to receive the child dependency exemptions
the tax returns, but your petition says that you were
Now, Ms. Meeker, to recap, you testified that
on
Can you show me in the agreement
do that?
a }Dart where if he
required to claim them.
where that allows you to
A I believe there was
doesn't hold up his child support obligation -- I'm not sure
exactly where that is in here.
Q Do I understand your testimony that you're
saying if Mr. Meeker does not pay his child support
obligations, that the agreement contains a specific
provision that allows you to take the dependency exemptions?
A No, it does not.
Q It contains no provision allowing you to take
the exemptions?
A No, it does not.
Q Then how did you come to the conclusion that
his failure to pay the support obligation required you to
claim the dependency exemptions?
A They didn't require, i had no choice.
Q That's what your statement says, that your
agreement required you to take the dependency exemptions.
A And as I said I believe there's a part in
here where if he does not hold up to his responsibility --
where that is exactly, I'm not sure.
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there?
Q Se the answer is you don't know that it's in
A Not exactly where it's at, no.
Now, have you informed Mr. Meeker that you
were going to take the dependency exemptions?
return?
A Yes, I did.
Q When did you inform him of that?
A Towards the end of February.
Q When did you file your 2003 income tax
A
BY MR. DZURANIN:
February I believe.
THE COURT: February of 2004?
THE WITNESS: Correct.
Q And on your 2003 federal income tax return
did you indeed take these exemptions?
A Yes, I did.
Q Now, do you recall Mr. Meeker through his
counsel asking you to sign a form back in August of 2003 to
allow him to take the dependency exemptions?
A Yes.
Q Did you sign the form then?
A No.
Q Do you recall a request after
for that form to be signed?
the fact asking
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A
THE COURT:
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Yes.
MR. DZURANIN: May I approach,
Certainly.
Your Honor?
marked as
it. Do you recognize this
A Yes.
Q
A
Q I'm going to hand you an exhibit that's been
Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 1 aud ask you to look at
document?
Can you tell the Court what the document is?
It's a document concerning the children for
IRS and Samantha's
Q I'm sorry. The
what it is? Let me ask this.
office to your attorney?
kindergarten.
first page, could you explain
Is that. a letter from my
A Yes, it is.
Q Could you read for the Court please the first
paragraph of that letter?
A I am writing to express concern on several
issues. First, we still have not received your client's IRS
Form 8332 on behalf of my client to allow my client to claim
the children as exemptions for all future years. You should
recall that, at the custody trial, I handed to you the form
and even circled the part that stated that the form could be
completed for all future years. You informed me that you
wanted to run this by your accountant. However, I do not
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see this as being ambiguous by any stretch. I bring your
attention to Paragraph 13 of the parties' marital settlement
agreement in which your client agreed that husband shall
claim both children as dependents on his tax returns and
wife agrees to execute any IRS form necessary to confirm
this agreement. Please have your client sign this form and
return it to my office as soon as possible.
And you did receive a copy of that letter,
Q
correct?
A
Q
Correct.
At any time after that did you discuss with
counsel or anyone about signing that form?
A Yes.
Q And what was the result of that conversation?
A That Mr. Meeker was not paying child support,
that he was not holding up his end of the bargain, that I
needed to feed my children, and I needed to claim tax
exemptions.
Q You needed to claim them?
A Yes, I did.
Q Is that your testimony? And where, from a
legal perspective, are you allowed to take them, either the
marital settlement agreement or by operation of law?
MS. MALE: Objection, Your Honor, calls for a
legal conclusion. That's the province of the Court.
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THE COURT: I'll sustain the objection.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q How did you come to the conclusion that you
needed to take them or that you were ,allowed to take them as
exemptions?
A Maybe need is the wrong word. I had no
choice. I had an obligation to my children.
Q Were you informed that you were allowed to
take them or was that your own conclusion?
A It was my own conclusion.
Q Now, turning your attention back to the
marital settlement agreement, again I'd ask you to turn to
Page 2 of that agreement. In Paragraph 2 on Page 2 I'd ask
you to read from the fourth line down starting with the word
in for the rest of that sentence for the Court, please.
MS. MALE: Your Honor, I have to interpose an
objection to the witness just reading the passages. I think
the document speaks for itself. I think it's unnecessary to
read in what's already been marked as an exhibit.
THE COURT: Mr. Dzuranin, perhaps you could
read it yourself slowly for the stenographer and then ask
the witness if that is what it says.
MR. DZURANIN: That's fair, Your Honor.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q The provision I just asked you to read, In
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the event a divorce action is filed, the parties agree to
take all legal steps (including the timely and prompt
submission of all documents and the taking of all action)
necessary to assure that a divorce pursuant to Section
3301(c) of the Divorce Code is entered as soon as possible.
Did I read that correctly?
signed?
A Yes, you did.
Q And this is a part of the document that you
the divorce
would you have any
A
complaint was filed on August 31,
reason to think I was incorrect?
Correct.
Now, if I informed you that
2002,
A I thought it was August 27th.
Q Okay. I also informed you that on August
12th, 2002, you signed an acceptance of service form. Do
sounds fair.
isn't it true that in November of 2002
form
you have any reason to believe that that isn't correct?
A It was a service -- what was August 12th?
Q The date that you accepted service of the
divorce complaint.
A That
Q Now,
Mr. Meeker presented you with a consent and waiver
necessary to finalize the divorce?
MS.
MALE: Your Honor, I'm going to object to
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this line of questioning on the basis of relevance. The
parties are divorced currently.
THE COURT: The parties --
MS. MALE: The parties are divorced. They
were divorced August 27th of 2003. I don't know what
relevance this has to her request for enforcement of the
petition and rights to the assets that she was awarded.
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor --
THE COURT: Is any part of your petition
relating to obligations prior to the date of the divorce?
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: I thought it would be at least an
arguable defense if she were herself out of compliance of
the agreement prior to that date.
MS. MALE: Then, Your Honor, I would rephrase
the objection from the perspective that Mr. Meeker has not
filed a counterclaim. He's not filed a petition to enforce
the agreement. He hasn't filed a breach of contract action.
THE COURT: But it's still a defense. I mean
you're trying to enforce it, and Mr. Dzuranin is trying to
show that the Defendant herself didn't comply with it.
Whether that's true, I don't know, but it's his --
MR. DZURANIN: That's correct, Your Honor.
THE COURT: That's his line of inquiry, so
I'll permit the question.
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BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q Once again we agreed that you
divorce complaint in August of 2002, correct?
A Yes.
Q
received the
And that you were presented with forms to
finalize
forms?
2003?
the divorce
A
Q
A
Q
in November of 2002?
Yes.
Did you sign those forms at the time?
No, I did not.
Were other requests made to you to sign those
A
Possibly.
And did you ever sign them before August of
A NO.
Q In fact, isn't it true
the form until August 21 of 2003?
A That's correct.
Q
that you didn't sign
By my calculation about 13 months after the
divorce complaint was filed, correct?
A Correct.
Q And over nine months after the 90-day period
had expired to allow the divorce to be finalized, correct?
THE COURT: I don't thlnk there was an answer
to that. If there was, I didn't hear it.
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BY MR.
finalized
complaint.
August 12 of 2003?
A
Q
November 2002.
THE WITNESS: I don't 'understand.
DZURANIN:
Q The Divorce Code allows the divorce to be
90 days after filing and service of the divorce
You received service of the divorce complaint
Correct.
Ninety days after that would have been
Excuse me, you signed the acceptance of
service on August 12th, 2002.
November !2th, 2002, correct?
A Correct.
Q
Ninety days would have been
on
And you didn't sign it until August 21, 2003.
By my calculation that
A
Q
A
is nine months later, correct?
That's correct.
That's as soon as possible in your opinion?
I didn't have an attorney, and I was -- Mr.
Meeker and I were at a point --
Q That's not my question. My question is, Is
nine months after the time that you contractually agreed to
sign the papers to finalize the divorce, is nine months as
soon as possible in your opinion?
it's not.
DZURANIN: Thank you.
Your opinion was what again?
A No,
MR.
THE COURT:
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question.
THE WITNESS: No.
THE COURT: No for what reason?
MR. DZURANIN: I'm sorry. I didn't
hear your
THE COURT: I gather the answer was yes, she
agrees it was not reasonable.
MR. DZURANIN:
Your Honor.
THE COURT:
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q Ms.
marital settlement
me any time frame that
IRA to you?
A
Q
That's the answer I heard,
All right.
Meeker, please turn to Page 4 of the
agreement. On Page 7 could you point to
required my client to transfer the
NO.
And you testified under direct examination
that you made requests
correct?
A
Q
A
Q
A
Q
A
for half of the IRA. Is that
Correct.
How many requests were made?
I can't give you an exact figure.
Were they made from you or from your counsel?
From counsel and from me.
How many times from your counsel?
Without the documentation, I'm not sure.
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Honor?
BY MR.
MR. DZURANIN: May I approach again, Your
THE COURT:
DZURANIN:
Q Ms. Meeker,
Certainly.
I'm handing you a document that
2 and ask if you
we've marked as Plaintiff's Exhibit No.
recognize this document?
A Yes.
Q Is this a document from your attorney?
A Yes, it is.
Q And is the document to Frank Goshorn, the
conference officer of the Cumberland County Domestic
Relations Office?
A Yes.
Q And does Paragraph 2 of the document state,
Initiate the Defendant's alimony obligation effective
September 1, 2003, as required under the terms of the
parties' marital settlement agreement,, a copy of which is
enclosed. The Defendant's alimony obligation of $1,000.00
per month is due
See Paragraph 14.
A
Q
matter was being heard by Michael Rundle, Support Master,
considering the alimony and spousal support provisions of
and payable on the first day of each month.
Did I read that correctly?
Yes, you did.
And is it your understanding that the support
is
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your marital settlement agreement?
I believe it was introduced on March 19th as
A
an exhibit.
Q
Are you expecting payment of spousal support
and alimony through the Domestic Rela-zions Office?
I'm not sure what to expect from Domestic
A
Relations.
Q
Is it your hope that Domestic Relations will
be able to secure the funds for alimony and spousal support
for payment to you?
A Not necessarily through Domestic Relations,
no.
Q You're not seeking enforcement of your
alimony or spousal support through Domestic Relations? Was
that your testimony?
A I'm seeking child support and alimony through
however I can receive it for my children.
Q And is one of those ways of getting it
through the Domestic Relations Office?
A Yes.
Q And that proceeding was initiated by you,
correct?
A Domestic Relations?
Q Yes.
A Yes, it was.
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THE COURT: What proceeding is that?
MR. DZURANIN: That's 'zhe support matter,
Your Honor. It was the initial support complaint that was
on de novo appeal to Mr. Rundle.
THE COURT: Ail right.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q Now, you have testified under oath that there
are other sums besides alimony that you're claiming through
your petition. Is that correct?
A Yes, it is.
Q I believe you indicated day care and outside
expenses?
A
Q
the marital
Yes.
Ail right. I ask you to turn to Page 7 of
settlement agreement, and Paragraph 13 -- in the
middle of Paragraph 13 it states -- correct me if I'm not
reading this right. The parties also agree to evenly divide
the costs and expenses of any child activities to the extent
the same are reasonable and agreed upon by the parties. Did
I read that correctly?
A Yes.
Q So your agreement was that Mr. Meeker's
obligation was only to the extent that your expenses are,
first, reasonable, and, second, agreed[ upon, correct?
A Correct.
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expenses?
Q Did Mr. Meeker ever agree to pay child care
A
Q
confirm that
A
did agree.
Q
A
Yes, he did.
When did he agree to pay those?
When I moved to Maryland.
Do you have a specific time or document to
he's agreed to pay those?
Not an exact document, but on August 21st he
BY MR.
What did he agree to?
To pay half of day care.
THE COURT: August 21s%
THE WITNESS: 2003.
THE COURT: Okay.
DZURANIN:
of what year?
Q was this an agreement through counsel?
A It was agreed between Kevin and I.
Q So just the two of you had the conversation?
A On many occasions, yes.
Q Was it a conversation or direction from you
that he was to pay day care expenses to you?
A
that, to allow you to move to Maryland,
family would be watching the children?
A conversation.
Isn't it true that you informed Mr. Meeker
you stated your
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A
A
Q And what other expenses did Mr.
specifically agree to?
A The children's activities.
Q How often did you inform Mr. Meeker of the
activities and got his consent to any of those?
A He was informed always.
Q And did he ever consent to the specific
expenses that you're claiming?
A Yes, he did.
Q You and Mr. Meeker haw~ been rather
contentious over the years, correct?
A Yes.
Q In fact, at the last hearing that we had on
allowing your move to Maryland, you indicated that you had
to put everything in writing, correct?
A That's correct.
Q And what writing do you have to confirm Mr.
Meeker agreed to these expenses?
A
That they would be helping, yes.
And that there would be no day care expenses?
For awhile.
Meeker
I don't.
You have none, correct'?
That's correct.
So you have no other evidence other than your
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word against a man that you're highly contentious with,
correct?
A
Q
A
Q
That's correct.
Thank you. Do you own a home?
Yes.
You testified under oath that you had no
money to help support your children because Mr. Meeker
wasn't paying support. Is that correct?
A
A
borrowed from my mother,
and my brother.
That's correct.
Now were you able to purchase a home?
Cash advances on a credit card, money
from my grandparents, my sister,
Q
Who's titled on that home?
My name.
And how many mortgages are on the home?
One.
What mortgage?
The only mortgage.
I'm sorry?
The first mortgage.
To whom?
To National Mortgage Corporation.
And how much is your mortgage payment?
$1,900 -- excuse me, $1,093.00 and some
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change.
Q
Per month?
Correct.
Now, before that where were you living?
Camp Hills Pennsylvania.
And after that where were you living before
you bought the home?
A With Mr. Meeker.
Q Isn't it true that you were living with your
mother or your aunt in Maryland when you first moved there?
A Oh, excuse me, yes. I lived with my sister
I bought my Maryland home.
And how much rent did you pay while you were
before
Q
living there?
MS. MALE: Objection, Your Honor. I don't
know that any of this line of questioning is relevant.
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, she testified that
she needs the exemptions, that she can't live without the
support from my client. I think it's perfectly relevant to
counter her testimony that she doesn't need the money if she
can afford a thousand dollar mortgage payment.
THE COURT: Isn't your question what he's
obligated to do under the agreement as ordered?
MR. DZURANIN: It is, Your Honor, but we
believe that her taking the dependency exemptions is a
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defense to the contempt petition and her need for money is
the basis for her taking those dependency exemptions. I
think it goes to her credibility as to whether she needs the
money.
THE COURT: You can ask a couple more
questions on this point but then we need to move on.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q My question was, How much did you pay while
you were living with your sister for rent?
A I didn't pay rent.
Q You didn't pay anything?
A I bought groceries and other things of that
nature, but I did not give her a specific check monthly, no.
Q And now you're able to pay a thousand dollars
a month for a mortgage payment?
A Yes.
Q Is anyone else living with you?
A No.
MR. DZURANIN: I have no further questions,
Your Honor.
BY MS. MALE:
Q
THE COURT: Ms. Male.
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
Do you have the agreement in front of you,
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1 Ms. Meeker?
2 A Yes.
3 Q If you would turn,
4 regarding child custody.
5 A Yes.
Q
paragraph that
please, to Paragraph 12
And does this provision state in the second
for purposes of declaring head of household
status on wife's federal tax return, the parties agree that
wife shall be deemed to be the primary physical custodian of
the minor children?
A Yes.
Q Did you at some point prior to filing your
taxes investigate whether you could claim head of household
status without taking the exemptions?
A Yes.
Q And did you learn that you had to take the
children as exemptions in order to claim the head of
household status?
A
periods of August and October
Meeker's filing for divorce.
A Yes.
Yes.
Counsel asked you several questions about the
of 2002 with respect to Mr.
period?
Q Were you represented by counsel during that
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A No.
Q Were you represented by counsel when you
signed the settlement agreement?
A No.
Q Did Mr. Dzuranin prepa]~e this agreement?
A Yes, he did.
Q Were there -- what was going on between you
and Kevin in terms of your personal relationship in the
period of time that Mr. Meeker or Mr. Dzuranin is asking
about your signing documents to be divorced?
A We were together, stil[_ on and off, trying to
make the marriage work.
Q were you together trying to make the marriage
work after he filed the divorce complaint?
A Yes.
Q During the late summer and into the fall of
2002, were there any instances of domestic violence between
you and Mr. Meeker?
MR. DZURANIN: Objection, Your Honor. I
don't know what the relevance is.
MS. MALE: I think it's relevant to whether
she was signing papers or reviewing papers for Mr. Meeker,
and I think it's certainly -- he opened the door for why she
didn't proceed with the divorce.
MR. DZURANIN: But not the time frame. She
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asked late sumpter/early fall.
of 2002. That would hardly be
2002.
MS. MALE:
We are talking after October
late fall.
I said late summer/early fall of
MR. DZURANIN: He didn't sign them until
after November 12th, which is after the time period, after
the period that we're asking, that she could have signed
them and did not sign the documents.
THE COURT: When are
to have occurred?
MS. MALE:
those instances alleged
I believe it was October and maybe
I don't remember the
dates, Your Honor. That's
November.
why I'm asking the questions.
THE COURT: Ail right. You may ask the
question.
BY MS. MALE:
Q The question, Ms. Meeker, was, Were there any
incidences of domestic violence between you and Mr. Meeker
in the period of time we are discussimg, 2002, late summer
into the fall?
A
Q
A
October llth.
Q
Yes.
Can you tell us what the dates were?
June 26th and October -- I believe it was
After the incident on October llth, did you
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have any direct contact with Mr. Meeker regarding the
divorce or finalizing the divorce?
A We talked about it but no foundations for it.
Q What were the problems with finalizing it?
A I didn't have counsel, the marriage
settlement agreement, and hopes that there was still a way
to work it out.
Q During most of 2003 were you and Mr. Meeker
involved in the custody and support action?
A Yes.
Q Did those matters take precedence for you?
A Yes, they did.
Q Mr. Dzuranin asked you about agreements on
day care expenses or extra-curricular activities. Did you,
in fact, exchange e-mails with Mr. Meeker after you moved to
Maryland regarding Daisies and Panda's Pride activities for
Samantha and day care for Samantha?
A Yes.
Q And during your discussions with Mr. Meeker,
did he agree to pay those expenses?
A
was
Yes.
Did he also agree to pay them while Samantha
in day care up here in Cumberland County?
A Yes, he did.
Q And was there a point in time in which he
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in Cumberland
stopped paying the day care expenses here
County?
A Yes, he did.
Q As a result of Mr. Meeker's failure to pay
the day care expenses while Samantha was
were you able to maintain her at
A Yes.
Q Did you pay that
then?
in day care here,
day care?
100 percent on your own
A Yes, I did.
Q Counsel asked you about your mortgage
payment. How does your mortgage payment of $1,093.00 per
month compare with rent for a house that would accommodate
you and the children?
A It's approximately 4 to $500.00 cheaper to
own than it is to rent where I live.
Q What's the status of your financial
circumstances at present?
A I can make the mortgage, and that's pretty
much it. If my mother and sister and brother and my
grandparents didn't bring food or give me money, my children
wouldn't eat.
Q
clothing for the children?
A Yes, they are.
Have you -- are those family members buying
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Q Are those family members providing other
types of things for the children in terms of activities and
things that you would normally have done yourself?
A Yes, they do.
Q Have you investigated the necessity for
filing bankruptcy?
A Yes.
Q Is it possible that you will need to do that
if Mr. Meeker's payments are not brought current on either
the support or with respect to what we're here for today?
A Yes.
MS. MALE: I have no further questions, Your
Honor.
Honor.
BY MR.
THE COURT: Ail right. Mr. Dzuranin.
MR. DZURANIN: Just a ~ew follow up, Your
RECROSS-EXAMINATION
DZURANIN:
Q First, Ms. Meeker, you still have
the
agreement in your hand.
10 or Page 10, Paragraph 24.
that your signature?
A Yes, it is.
Q
Paragraph 24?
Could you please turn to Paragraph
In the middle of that page, is
Are those your initials at the end of
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A Yes.
Q And does part of Paragraph 24 state, Wife has
been advised by husband's counsel to obtain separate legal
counsel and has voluntarily chosen not to seek counsel. Did
I read that correctly?
A Yes, you did.
Q And at the time that you signed this, did you
understand that paragraph?
A No.
Q You didn't understand what you were signing?
A No.
Q You didn't understand that you had the right
to counsel before you signed this agreement?
A I understood that I had a right to counsel,
Mr. Dzuranin. What I did not understand was how I was going
to obtain one and how I was going to be able to afford
counsel.
Q
That was not my question. Do you understand
that this paragraph says that you have voluntarily chosen
not to seek counsel?
A Yes.
Q Thank you. You stated that in order for you
to take head of household status, you need to claim the
children as exemptions. Is that correct?
A Yes.
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status?
in 2002?
Q Your 2002 tax return reflects what filing
A
I believe head of household.
And did you claim the children as exemptions
A No.
Q From whom did you learn that you needed to
take exemptions in order to claim head of household status?
A When I was researching it for this year.
Q Researching it where?
A On the internet.
Q If you didn't research it last year, what
caused you to research it this year?
A I needed to research it. I needed to take
the children as a tax deduction.
Q Why didn't you research it in 2002?
A Because I was -- because I filed it the way
it was executed on this agreement.
Q
It's noon.
for this afternoon to
pursue this hearing.
And you couldn't do that same thing in 2003?
No.
And you testified --
THE COURT: I need to J_nterrupt for a moment.
Mr. Ahlers, would you please check my schedule
see what time is available to further
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MR. DZURANIN: I only have one or two more
questions and then I'm finished.
THE COURT: Go ahead.
BY MR. DZURANIN:
Q You testified that you sent Mr. Meeker
e-mails concerning the children's activities including
Daisies and Panda's Pride?
A Yes.
Q Do you have
agreeing to pay for that?
A
Honor.
witness,
Thank you.
present.
Meeker.
similar e-mails from Mr. Meeker
Not to my knowledge, ne.
MR. DZURANIN:
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
Your Honor.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
I had anticipated,
THE COURT:
I have nothing further, Your
Ms. Male.
I have no other questions for this
Ail right. You may step down.
We have no other testimony to
Your Honor, questioning Mr.
Do you want to move for the
admission of your exhibits?
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor.
admission of Defendant's 1 through 11.
We move for the
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Honor.
1, 2, 3, 4,
Honor.
Exhibits
objection to
admitted.
THE COURT: Mr. Dzuranin.
MR. DZURANIN: I have no objection, Your
THE COURT:
5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
(Whereupon,
Ail right. Defendant's Exhibits
10, and 11 are admitted.
Defendant Exhibit Nos. i through
Plaintiff's Exhibits 1 and 2 are
11 were admitted into evidence.)
THE COURT: Are you resting, Ms. Male?
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Okay. Mr. Dzuranin.
MR. DZURANIN: I have no witnesses, Your
I just move for the admission of Plaintiff's
1 and 2.
THE COURT: Ms. Male, do you have any
the admission of Plaintiff's Exhibits 1 and 2?
MS. MALE: No, Your Honor.
THE COURT:
(Whereupon, Plaintiff Exhibit Nos. 1 and 2
were admitted into evidence.)
THE COURT: Do counsel want the opportunity
to submit briefs on the issues in the case? The issue I'm
particularly interested in is whether the support, child
support and spousal support and alimony provisions of the
marital settlement agreement, may be enforced pursuant to 23
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Pa. C.S.A. Section 3502(e) in this proceeding given the
existence of a support order relating to those obligations
and the pendency of an enforcement proceeding initiated
through a contempt petition
under consideration by me.
furnishing a brief on those
filed prior to the petition
Do counsel have any objection to
-- on that issue at least?
MS. MALE: No, Your Honor. I would --
believe that the petition to enforce the settlement
agreement was filed on February 17th,
the petition for enforcement that Mr.
THE COURT:
MS. MALE:
which I think predated
Goshorn filed.
Ail right.
But I would be happy to provide a
brief to you on those issues within a week.
THE COURT: Mr. Dzuranin.
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, I would just ask
to file a reply brief after we see Ms. Male's brief in the
same period of time.
THE COURT: Why don't I ask for briefs within
from each party. Is that satisfactory, Mr.
14 days
Dzuranin?
MR. DZURANIN: That's fine, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Does either counsel want the
transcript prepared?
MR. DZURANIN: I don't think it's necessary
at this time, Your Honor. If we change, we can request it
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directly from the stenographer. I don't want it at this
time, but we'd like to reserve the right to do that in case
substitute counsel gets involved.
THE COURT: Well, if we set up a briefing
schedule of 14 days, of course you can request the
transcript, but it's not going to be done anywhere near the
time for the briefs to be filed.
MR. DZURANIN: I believe it could be on an
expedited basis, Your Honor.
THE COURT:
The stenographers are so far
behind in their work. There's
done.
MR. DZURANIN:
simply no way it could be
I don't need a transcript.
THE COURT: I would be happy to extend the
briefing schedule if you want the submission of briefs with
the responsibility of having a transcript.
MR. DZURANIN: I would request that, Your
Honor.
MS. MALE: Your Honor, if I might, I don't
need the brief, but if you're going te extend the briefing
schedule on the support
Court to enter an order
THE COURT: Well,
now about the briefing schedule
Male, do you want a copy of the
issue, I would respectfully ask the
dealing with the IRA and --
first of all, I'm asking
and the transcript. Ms.
transcript to work from?
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MS. MALE: Yes, Your Hcnor.
THE COURT: Ail right. And is thirty days
agreeable for a briefing schedule?
MR. DZURANIN: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Ms. Male.
MS. MALE: Yes, Your Honor. I understand the
Court's desire to have some additional law briefed on the
support issue. I would respectfully request, however, Your
Honor, that you enter an order separate from the support
issue dealing with the IRA and the request for legal fees
for the following reasons, Your Honor.
First, Mr. Meeker is not here to defend against
those claims. He's had ample notice and opportunity to be
present here. Second, my concern is that the longer we
delay having any order, particularly cn the IRA and the
counsel fees issue, the less likelihocd there will be of my
client being able to recover any of the sums that Mr. Meeker
received earlier in March, and I'm talking specifically
about the $2~0,000.00 that he received on or about March
13th.
I would ask the Court to enter
any bank accounts he has so that we,
position to secure the funds for the
with the support matters being taken under advisement
Court after submission of the briefs.
an order freezing
at least, are in a
IRA and the legal fees
by the
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THE COURT: But I don't want to decide the
cases piecemeal. Mr. Dzuranin, do you have any objection to
my directing that the Plaintiff not withdraw any money from
any accounts that contain proceeds from the settlement with
the two S corporations?
MR. DZURANIN: Yes, Your Honor, I do. He may
need this money to live on for his own expenses. I
recognize his obligation for the children, but this matter
has not been decided finally yet whether my client is in
contempt for not paying. That's a matter to be decided in
the future.
He's not here. The only thing we have on the
record as to why he's not here is because of his
inadvertence of not bringing documents in and his being in
the hospital. There's no other reason to suggest that he
was not here for any other reason.
Freezing his accounts might have a chilling effect
on his ability to continue to live and to hopefully find a
job so that he can continue to pay child support in the
future.
We don't see any evidence to suggest that the
monies are being wasted anywhere else. There's no
testimony, no evidence at all to say that it's not available
at a time that this Court would enter a final order.
THE COURT: Ms. Male, wi~at were the names of
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those S corporations?
MS. MALE: Circle C -- it's two words.
Circle and the letter C Corporation and the letter C Prime
Corporation.
THE COURT: Ail right. You may be seated.
Thank you. We will enter this order:
AND NOW, this 31st day of March, 2004, upon
consideration of Defendant's Petition To Enforce Settlement
Agreement Pursuant to 23 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3502{e), and
following a hearing held on March 31, 2004, the record is
declared closed, and the matter is taken under advisement.
PENDING FURTHER order of court, the Plaintiff,
Kevin S. Meeker, is enjoined from diminishing, withdrawing,
transferring, encumbering, or otherwise depleting in value
any bank, savings bank, or similar account containing
proceeds from his settlement with Circle C Corporation and
his settlement with C Prime Corporation, and any bank,
savings bank, or similar institution holding said accounts
is, to the extent of this Court's authority, enjoined from
permitting any such diminution, withdrawal, transfer,
encumbrance, or other such depletion. In addition, to the
extent that any proceeds from the said settlement or
settlements are in Plaintiff's possession
whether real, personal, or mixed property,
similarly enjoined from any such diminution,
in any other form,
the Plaintiff is
withdrawal,
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MR.
Honor.
MS.
transfer, encumbrance or other depletion in value.
Pursuant to a request of counsel for Defendant,
the stenographer is requested to transcribe and file the
notes of testimony from the hearing held on this date.
Pursuant to a request of each counsel and the
Court, briefs shall be submitted within thirty days from
today's date on the issue of whether Defendant may enforce a
support/alimony obligation of Plaintiff through 23 Pa.
C.S.A. Section 3502(e) in this proceeding, given the
existence of a supporE order relating to Plaintiff's
obligations in those respects and the pendency of an
enforcement proceeding relating to the support order
initiated through a contempt petition in the Domestic
Relations Division of this Court.
Ms. Male and Mr. Dzuranin, is there anything else?
I know you don't necessarily agree with the order, but is
there anything else that should be in the order?
DZURANIN: Nothing I can think of, Your
MALE: Your Honor, if we could shorteu up
the briefing schedule to be say ten days from the date that
we receive it from the court reporter.
THE COURT: I don't mind doing that. I think
you're going to find it extending it rather than shortening
it because although Ms. Handley had indicated she might be
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able to get it done within a week or ten days, that's
extremely optomistic in my opinion; but if you want, I'll
simply make the order that the briefs are due within ten
days of receipt of the transcript.
MS. MALE: Thank you, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Is that what you want?
MR. DZURANIN: Your Honor, I would object to
that again because of the motion for continuance I filed
where my client might be seeking substitute counsel. I
think thirty days would be fair for other counsel to be
involved, if other counsel is going to be retained. We
would ask for thirty days.
THE COURT:
leave it the way it is, and I think that's really as
optimistic as it's going to be. Ail right. Thank you.
Court is adjourned.
MS. MALE: Thank you, Your Honor.
(Whereupon, Court adjourned at 12:20 p.m.)
I'll tell you what. I'm going to
64
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the proceedings are
contained fully and accurately in the notes taken by me on
and that this is a correct transcript of
the above cause
the same.
Laura F. Handley
Official Court Reporter
The foregoing record of the proceedings on the
hearing of the within matter is hereby approved and
directed to be filed.
Date
SE~-fLEMENT AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into on April 4~/~, 2004 between Tammy L. Meeker
("Tammy") and Kevin S. Meeker ("Kevin").
RECITALS
Whereas, pending before the Cumberland County Court's Support Master is the de
hove hearing on the complaint for support filed by Tammy on March 20, 2003 in the action
docketed as Tammy L. Meeker v. Kevin S. Meeker, # 00254 S 2003; PASCES # 194105341;
and
Whereas, pending before the Honorable Edward E. Guido is an enforcement petition
filed against Kevin by Frank B. Goshorn, the Domestic Relations Officer assigned to the
support case; and
Whereas, pending before the Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr. is the petition for
enforcement of the parties' marital settlement agreement, dated June 7, 2002, filed by
Tammy in the divorce action docketed as Kevin S. Meeker v. Tammy L. Meeker, # 02-3649;
and
Whereas, the parties, following the conclusion of the de novo support hearing on April
19, 2004, reached an agreement to settle and resolve all pending matters.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants.~.and
undertakings hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable cons~der~n, recei~l.~of
which the parties acknowledge, Tammy and Kevin, each intending to be legally bOO;gd, hel~y
covenant and agree to the terms set forth in this agreement. ';
1. Cash Payment. Concurrently with execution of this agreement, Kevin will pay
Tammy $18,000.00. This payment shall satisfy in full all arrears currently due and owing on
the support order entered on June 23, 2003, including the child support, spousal support, and
alimony arrears. This payment also will satisfy Tammy's requests, as set forth in her
enforcement petition, for reimbursement of daycare and extracurricular activity fees incurred
in 2002 and 2003.
2. Pendin~Z Support Enforcement Proceedin~'n. As soon as the funds referenced in
paragraph 1 are available to her, Tammy will notify Frank B. Goshorn that DRS may withdraw
its enforcement petition and collection procedures.
3. Withdrawal of Support Action. As soon as the funds referenced in paragraph 1
are available to her, Tammy will withdraw and discontinue her complaint for support.
4. Child SUPPOrt. Kevin shall pay Tammy as support for their children, Cody S.
Meeker (dob: 12/12/95) and Samantha A. Meeker (dob: 08/02/98), $500.00 per month for
the months of May 2004 and June 2004. These payments are due and payable at Tammy's
residence on the lSth day of each month. Beginning July 15, 2(:)04, and continuing thereafter,
Kevin will pay Tammy $1,000.00 per month, also due and payable on the 15th day of each
month. After Kevin secures employment, and if his income warrants, this amount may be
increased.
2
5. Health Insurance. Tammy will secure health insurance for the children through
her employer. Kevin will pay Tammy 50% of the monthly exp,~nse for the children's coverage.
In addition, Kevin will pay 50% and Tammy will pay 50% of the uninsured medical expenses for
Cody and Samantha after application of the $250.00 threshold amount per child, as set forth
in the June 7, 2002 marital settlement agreement.
6. Dependency Exemptions. Beginning with tax year 2004, Kevin shall be entitled
to take the federal dependency exemption for Cody, and Tammy will retain the exemption for
Samantha.
7. Alimony. As soon as the funds referenced in paragraph 1 are available to her,
Tammy will withdraw and relinquish her alimony claim with prejudice.
8. Individual Retirement Account. Kevin represents and warrants to Tammy that
he has an Individual Retirement Account, with an approximate balance of $7,100.00.
Concurrently with execution of this agreement, Kevin shall execute all documents necessary to
roll over this IRA to Tammy. Upon the completion of this prooess, Tammy will withdraw with
prejudice her petition for enforcement of the parties' marital settlement agreement. This
transfer of funds will resolve the portion of Tammy's enforcernent petition related to Kevin's
liquidation of the Morgan Stanley iRA addressed in the parties' settlement agreement.
3
9. Custody. The terms and conditions of the custody order dated August 21,
2003, as affirmed bythe order dated February 3, 2004, shall remain in full force and effect.
10. No Other Modification. The remaining terms of the parties' marital, settlement
agreement executed on June 7, 2002 shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have set their hands and seals the day and year
first written above.
SS
4
M^¥ 0 6 2004~
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
5:13 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA :17:10:1
(7:17) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVlN S. MEEKER Plaintiff
V.
TAMMY S. MEEKER Defendant
NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
ORDER
AND NOW, May [ [, ,2004, the parties having resolved the claims raised in
Defendant's Petition to Enforce Settlement Agreement, thE; Court CONTINUES this matter
generally, pending the transfer to Defendant of Plaintiff's Individual Retirement Account as
more particularly set forth in the Settlement Agreement filed contemporaneously with entry of
this Order.
The Order entered following the enforcement hearing on March 31, 2004 is VACATED.
J.~esley Oler, ~ J.
V
tribution:
phen J. Dzuranin, Esq., P.O. Box 845, Harrisburg, PA 17108-0845
~'~eresa Barrett Male, Esq., 513 N. Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 ~
~,'~evin S. Meeker, 2433 Rolling Hills Dr., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
BY THE COURT:
LLN¢','-? !":'
Theresa Barrett Male
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 233-3220
Counsel for Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
KEVIN S. MEEKER :
Plaintiff :
:
v. : NO. 02-3649 Civil Term
TAMMY L. MEEKER
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - DIVORCE
PRAECIPE
To the Prothonotary:
Please withdraw the lis pendens filed against the improved real estate located at 2433
Rolling Hills Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 on March 25, 2004.
Date: May 14, 2004
Theresa Banrett Male, Esquire
Supreme Court # 46439
513 North Second Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
(717) 233~3220
Counsel for Defendant