A child support hearing officer who is properly qualified and designated under this Article has the following authority and responsibilities in all child support cases:

(1) To conduct hearings and to ensure that the parties’ due process rights are protected;

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 50-35

  • child support hearing officer: means a  clerk or assistant clerk of superior court or a magistrate who has been designated pursuant to this Article to hear and enter orders in child support cases. See North Carolina General Statutes 50-31
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • following: when used by way of reference to any section of a statute, shall be construed to mean the section next preceding or next following that in which such reference is made; unless when some other section is expressly designated in such reference. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

(2) To take testimony and establish a record;

(3) To evaluate evidence and make decisions regarding the establishment or enforcement of child support orders;

(4) To accept and approve voluntary acknowledgements of support liability and stipulated agreements setting the amount of support obligations;

(5) To accept and approve voluntary acknowledgements and affirmations of paternity;

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, to enter child  support orders that have the same force and effect as orders entered by a district court judge;

(7) To enter temporary child support orders pending the resolution of unusual or complicated issues by a district court judge;

(8) To enter default orders; and

(9) To subpoena witnesses and documents. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 993, s. 1.)

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