Montgomery Bar Association
Family Law Section
Pro Bono Family Law Arbitration Program
General Guidelines - Download Guidelines
Montgomery Bar Association Family Law Section (“MBA FLS”) administers a Pro Bono Family Law Arbitration Program as a service to the members of the public whose reported annual income is 200% below the federal poverty guidelines to provide a free and efficient method to resolve their economic claims related to the divorce. The federal poverty guidelines are revised annually based on changes in the Customer Price Index. A link to the guidelines in effect as of January 1, 2025 is here: Poverty Guidelines | ASPE.
Parties may voluntarily elect to submit these claims to binding arbitration. FLS members who have been trained as arbitrators will adjudicate these claims and issue an award. Once the arbitration is concluded, Parties will be responsible for confirming the Arbitration Award and requesting the entry of a divorce decree pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S.A. Section 7386 and the Montgomery County Local Rules (See RULE-192073c-Notice-of-Intention-to-Request-Entry-of-Divorce-Decree), including the payment of any filing fees which are not waived.
Parties may apply to participate in the Program by completing the Arbitration Intake Questionnaire and submitting this form to Montgomery County Family Court at this email address: courtsed@montcopa.org. The Family Court will review divorce cases with pending economic claims to make a preliminary determination as to whether the Parties meet the income threshold for the Pro Bono Family Law Arbitration Program.
Program Forms: CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Arbitration Intake Questionnaire Form
Stipulation for Agreed Order to Arbitrate
Domestic Violence Screening Questions
Pennsylvania Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act
Arbitrators: Click Here for More Information