Pa. Cons. Stat. » 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. (DOMESTIC RELATIONS) / Chapter 33
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3321 (2026)

 Hearing by master.

✓ current as of May 2026
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SUBCHAPTER B

PROCEDURE

 

Sec.

3321.  Hearing by master.

3322.  Jury trial.

3323.  Decree of court.

§ 3321.  Hearing by master.

The court may appoint a master to hear testimony on all or some issues, except issues of custody and paternity, and return the record and a transcript of the testimony together with a report and recommendation as prescribed by general rules, or a judge of the court in chambers may appoint a master to hold a nonrecord hearing and to make recommendations and return the same to the court, in which case either party may demand a hearing de novo before the court.

 

Suspension by Court Rule.  Section 3321 was suspended by Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 1920.91, as amended October 30, 2021, insofar as it prohibits the appointment of hearing officers in partial custody or visitation matters.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1993–2026 · leading case: Fotopoulos, H. v. Fotopoulos, J., 185 A.3d 1047 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).
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Fotopoulos, H. v. Fotopoulos, J., 185 A.3d 1047 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “As the trial court stated, our legislature statutorily created the position of master in domestic relations matters in 23 Pa.C.S. § 3321, and our Supreme Court adopted rules implementing it.”
Van Dine v. Gyuriska, 713 A.2d 1104 (Pa. 1998). “51 and Section 3321 were in effect at the time that the master was appointed to hear the instant custody matter.”
Littman v. Van Hoek, 789 A.2d 280 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001). “2d 1104 (1998), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court recognized the partial suspension of 23 Pa.C.S. § 3321 and held that where a party is seeking primary physical custody and a master has conducted a hearing, the parties are entitled to a de novo hearing before a trial judge.”
In Re: Order Amending Rules 1920.14, 1920.42, 1920.45, 1920.46, 1920.51, 1920.53, 1920.72, 1920.73 & 1920.74 of PA Rules of Civil Procedure (Pa. 2019). · cites it 2× “Note: Section 3321 of the Divorce Code, 23 Pa.C.S. § 3321, prohibits the appointment of a master as to the claims of custody and paternity.”
Waddington v. Waddington, 624 A.2d 667 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993). “While the Master may be appointed pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. § 3321, Hearing by master, to take testimony and make a report and findings, either party may demand a hearing de novo before the court.”
Blasetti, M. v. Blasetti, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “”) and 23 Pa.C.S. § 3321 (“The court may appoint a master to hear testimony on all or some issues .”
Amos Conley Farms v. West Hempfield Twp ZHB v. Saadia Grp. LLC v. West Hempfield Twp. (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2026). “See 23 Pa.C.S. § 3321 (stating that a court “may appoint a master to hold a nonrecord hearing and to make recommendations .”
Yates v. Yates, 5 Pa. D. & C.5th 193 (2008). “§5305, courts may require parents to attend counseling sessions and may consider the recommendations and report of the counselor in making its custody determination. See also, 23 Pa.”
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