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West Virginia Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Court – 2026

The Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Court, governing divorce, custody, support, paternity and related proceedings in the family courts of West Virginia. Coverage runs from scope and pleadings, through financial disclosure, parenting plans, hearings and orders, to enforcement, appeals to circuit court and the Peer Review Board. Each rule carries its amendment history.

Browse all 62 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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General Provisions Administrative Provisions Prehearing Procedures Temporary Relief Hearings Orders Appeals Parent Education Mediation Special Proceedings and Procedures Disqualification of Family Court Judges Time Standards

General Provisions

Rule 1 Scope; conflicts Rule 2 Terminology Rule 3 Effective date

Administrative Provisions

Rule 4 Security Rule 5 Records; transcripts; fees; costs; forms Rule 6 Court files; confidentiality; access; proceedings Rule 7 Exhibits Rule 8 Unofficial recording of proceedings

Prehearing Procedures

Rule 9 Commencement of actions Rule 10 Pleadings Rule 11 Signing of pleadings, motions and other papers; representations to court; sanctions Rule 12 Discovery Rule 13 Financial disclosure

Temporary Relief

Rule 14 Temporary relief motions Rule 15 Temporary support orders Rule 16 Presentation of evidence by proffer

Hearings

Rule 17 Testimony of children Rule 18 Telephonic and videoconference hearings Rule 19 Continuances, scheduling conflicts and consolidation Rule 20 Presentation of evidence by proffer; limitation Rule 21 Contempt, modification and final hearings

Orders

Rule 22 Orders; general provisions Rule 23 Retroactivity of child support and spousal support orders Rule 24 Scheduling orders Rule 25 Motion for reconsideration of family court order

Appeals

Rule 26 Waiver of appeal to intermediate court of appeals Rule 27 Stay of proceedings pending appeal Rule 28 Appeal to intermediate court of appeals Rule 29 Insufficient record for appeal [Abrogated] Rule 30 Motions to Dismiss the Appeal [Abrogated] Rule 31 Granting or refusing the appeal [Abrogated] Rule 32 Extensions of time [Abrogated] Rule 33 Oral argument [Abrogated] Rule 34 Final decisions [Abrogated] Rule 35 Remand to family court judge [Abrogated] Rule 36 Motions [Abrogated]

Parent Education

Rule 37 Parent education; course content; mandatory attendance; information reporting Rule 37a Advanced Child-focused Parent Education

Mediation

Rule 38 Mediator panels; training and qualifications; information reporting Rule 39 Premediation screening Rule 40 Procedure following receipt of abbreviated premediation screening report Rule 41 Mediation fees Rule 42 Procedure for mediator disqualification Rule 43 Mediation procedures Rule 44 Court's consideration of mediated agreement Rule 45 Prohibition of dual relationships in mediation and parent education Rule 46 Immunity

Special Proceedings and Procedures

Rule 47 Guardians ad litem for children Rule 48 Child Abuse and Neglect Rule 48a Infant guardianship proceedings Rule 49 Paternity Rule 50 Petitions for modification Rule 51 Expedited modification of child support Rule 52 Relocation of a parent Rule 53 Bifurcation Rule 54 Authority to accept waivers Rule 55 Agreements Rule 56 Interpreters Rule 57 Withdrawal and substitution of counsel

Disqualification of Family Court Judges

Rule 58 Motions to Disqualify

Time Standards

Rule 59 Compliance with Time Standards Rule 60 Peer Review Board