Rule 1559.Hearing Officer. Hearing.

Adopted April 26, 1955 · Last amended August 8, 2023 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceA hearing officer the court appoints in a partition case makes the necessary examinations and holds hearings on reasonable notice, developing the facts the court needs to divide or sell the property.

Full Text of Rule 1559

Text size

A hearing officer who is appointed by the court shall make such examinations and hold such hearings as may be necessary, giving reasonable notice thereof. The hearing officer may employ appraisers and, with the authorization of the court, such other experts as are necessary to enable the hearing officer to perform the duties of the appointment.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule puts the fact-gathering of a partition case in the hands of a hearing officer. Appointed by the court, the officer makes whatever examinations and holds whatever hearings are necessary, after giving reasonable notice to the parties.

The officer can take evidence about the property, the interests, and how it can best be divided or sold. Using a hearing officer lets the often-technical work of valuing and dividing real estate be handled in a focused proceeding, with the results reported back to the court for decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the hearing officer do?

Conducts the examinations and hearings needed to carry out the partition and may employ appraisers, plus other experts if the court authorizes them.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1559 adopted April 26, 1955, effective November 1, 1955; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2274; amended August 8, 2023, effective October 1, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 5108. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (302499).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: partition hearing officerappraisers partitionpartition hearing