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Franklin County Orphans' Court
Franklin County Courthouse Annex
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Phone: 717-261-3805
Fax: 717-261-3896
Fax: 717-261-3896
Online Court Resources
Resources for the Franklin County Orphans' Court as well as online resources applicable to courts generally in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and resources applicable to all courts in Pennsylvania.
Search court case records
Selected Court of Common Pleas Records
Search Court of Common Pleas records including Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Orphans Court, and Register of Wills by name, case number, and book and page. A paid subscription is required. Sign up under "Account Maintenance" in the left column.
Court of Common Pleas Case Records
Search Court of Common Pleas civil and criminal case records online. Search results include basic case information with links to docket sheets and court summaries. Some future docket events will be included. Some Philadelphia Municipal Court cases will be included when searching Philadelphia County.
Criminal Charge Information in Custody Cases
A call-in system allows parties in child custody cases to learn if anyone involved in the case has been charged with certain crimes. Registration is required, but is free of charge.
Dockets, calendars, and other information about court cases
Franklin and Fulton County Court of Common Pleas Calendars and Schedules
View weekly calendars, annual schedules, motion schedule, and arbitration panel schedule for 39th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas in Franklin and Fulton Counties.
Court of Common Pleas Calendars
Search Court of Common Pleas calendars online. Search results include basic case information with links to docket sheets and court summaries.
Published opinions and orders
Attorney General Opinions
View selected Pennsylvania Attorney General official opinions since 1994 by author and requesting agency. Full annual and multi-year volumes of opinions from earlier years may be downloaded.
Forms and related information
Child Support Forms
View and download various forms for use in Pennsylvania child support actions.
Forms and Instructions
View and download various civil, criminal, expungement, landlord-tenant, record request, protection from abuse, Orphans' Court, dependency, delinquency, family law, and other forms for use in Court of Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court. Some form instructions are included.
Attorney Complaint Forms and Information
View and download attorney complaint forms and instructions in English and Spanish from the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Consumer Complaint Forms and Information
The Pennsylvania Attorney General offers online and printable consumer complaint forms and downloadable brochures for general consumer issues, seniors, health care, medicare fraud, insurance fraud, and veterans' issues.
Online Self-Help Forms
PALawHelp offers do-it-yourself forms and instructions organized by legal issue. Some forms may be completed online with an interactive interview process. Instructions and additional self-help resources are provided.
Online fine payments
Pay Court of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Court, and Philadelphia Municipal Court Fines, Costs, and Restitution
Pay Court of Common Pleas, Magisterial District Court, and Philadelphia Municipal Court fines, costs, and restitution online. A fee applies.
Self help, legal research, general information
Franklin County Criminal Procedure, Victim, and Protection from Abuse Information
The Franklin County District Attorney's Office offers information about resources for victims and witnesses (including Protection from Abuse orders), an explanation of criminal procedure, and information about the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program with a link to the application form. Links are on the left side of the page.
Franklin County Law Library
View information about the Franklin County Law Library, including location, hours, and available services.
Franklin and Fulton County Local Court Rules
View the local civil, criminal, juvenile, and Orphans' Court rules of Franklin and Fulton County courts.
Franklin and Fulton County Parent Education
View information about the Franklin/Fulton Parent Education Program, a class for divorcing parents that is required by the Court of Common Pleas. A schedule and online registration form are included.
Franklin and Fulton County Protection Order Information
View instructions in English or Spanish for filing a Protection from Abuse, Protection from Intimidation, or Sexual Violence Protection Order in Franklin and Fulton Counties
Legal Issues Pamphlets
MidPenn Legal Services offers pamphlets in English and Spanish on a variety of legal issues, including consumer, education, employment, family, housing, benefits, and a guide to going to court.
Child Support Information
View information for parties paying and receiving child support, including application instructions, payment estimates, paternity establishment, a glossary of terms, answers to frequently asked questions, a handbook, and forms. Searches for payment and docket information require registration.
Problem Solving Court Information
View information about Drug, Juvenile Drug, DUI, Mental Health, and Veterans Courts. These are specialized divisions of Courts of Common Pleas that can set up treatment and supervision in lieu of incarceration for some non-violent offenders with substance abuse and mental health problems. Scroll down the page for links to each type of Problem Solving Court; information includes maps of court locations for each type of court, a list of program coordinators by county, and a list of all courts by type.
Court Rules
Search Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence, Rules of Civil Procedure (General and Orphans' Court), Rules of Criminal Procedure, Juvenile Rules, and Minor Court Civil Rules (Magisterial District Courts and Philadelphia Municipal Court) by keyword, or browse by table of contents. Court Rules are part the Pennsylvania Code, a compilation of administrative rules. Court Rules are found in titles 225 through 246, the last titles in the compilation.
Domestic Violence Resources
View information about domestic violence, find links to state and national resources, learn about domestic violence by topic or from a downloadable publication, and find local shelters and other domestic violence services by county.
Foreclosure Prevention Resources
View resources for preventing foreclosure in Pennsylvania, including local housing counseling agencies, emergency mortgage assistance, and a link to legal aid providers.
Glossary of Legal Terms
View a glossary of legal terms used in the Pennsylvania courts.
Guide to Pennsylvania Court System
View a guide to the court system in Pennsylvania, including how the courts are organized and what types of cases they hear. Answers to frequently asked questions and a downloadable brochure are provided.
Legal Information and Legal Resources
View legal information and resources by topic, including consumer, children and families, employment, health, housing, benefits, disability, education, elder law, immigrant and migrant issues, and veterans and military.
Legal Information for Seniors
The Pennsylvania Bar Association offers a guide to legal issues for seniors.
Legal Information Publications
The Pennsylvania Bar Association offers informational pamphlets on a various legal topics.
Mediation Information
View information about mediation, which can help parties resolve disputes without going to court. Click "Find a Mediator" to search for Pennsylvania mediators by specialty and county.
Official Pennsylvania Statutes, Laws, and Constitution
Search the official Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by keyword or citation, or browse by table of contents. Search the Unconsolidated Statutes by keyword or act number, or browse by act name. Browse the Constitution by table of contents.
Pennsylvania Unofficial Statutes
Search the unofficial version of Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes and Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by keyword or statute number, or browse by table of contents. Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes (P.S.) are an unofficial compilation of laws that have not been consolidated by the legislature into the official Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes.
Restoration of Driving Privileges and Vehicle Registration
View instructions and forms for restoration of driver's licenses and vehicle registration, from the Pennsylvania Department of Transporation.
Self-Representation
View information for parties representing themselves in Pennsylvania courts, including an introductory video and forms and instructions for custody, divorce, and protection from abuse cases.
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Information
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation offers information about traffic and motor vehicle laws, licensing, restoration of licenses, and other motor vehicle issues.
Legal aid, free services, lawyer referral
Franklin County Free Legal Help
Franklin County Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-eligible residents.
Franklin County Lawyers
View a directory of Fulton County Bar Association members by area of practice, or view the full directory in alphabetical order. A link to local legal aid offices is also provided.
Franklin County Public Defender
View information about the Franklin County Public Defender's Office, which provides free legal representation to indigent defendants facing possible incarceration.
Free Civil Legal Help for Central Pennyslvania
MidPenn Legal Services provides free civil legal advice, counseling, and representation for income-eligible residents of some central Pennsylvania counties. Some offices offer legal advice by telephone as well as in-person assistance. Click "Locations" in the drop-down menu for a directory of local offices
Attorney Information and Status
Search for attorneys admitted to practice in Pennsylvania by name, attorney ID, city, and county. Results include attorney status and whether and attorney has been subject to discipline.
Complaints Against Attorneys
View instructions for filing a complaint against an attorney with the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. A link to the complaint form is included.
Complaints Against Judges
View information on filing a complaint against a Pennsylvania judge with the Judicial Conduct Board. A link to the complaint form is included.
Consumer Protection
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Public Protection Division offers information about its services, including legal action based on complaints, the Bureau of Consumer Protection and its mediated restitution program, a specialized Health Care Section, and the Office of Consumer Advocate. The Bureau of Consumer Protection provides an online complaint form.
Find Criminal Defense Attorneys
The Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers offers an online directory search and links to criminal justice information.
Find Free Legal Assistance
Search for providers of free legal services by location and legal issue, or view a directory of providers in alphabetical order.
Free Legal Help Locations
View a list of Pennsylvania legal services providers, including contact information and links to their websites. Search for resources by keyword and topic, Search for local agencies with an interactive map.
Lawyer Referral Services
The Pennsylvania Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service by telephone, which includes an initial consultation with a lawyer for a nominal fee. A list of local lawyer referral services by county is also provided..
Senior Citizens Legal Assistance
View information about legal assistance available to elder Pennsylvania residents.
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