North Carolina § 50-31 - Definitions.

§ 50-31. Definitions.

As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: "Child support case" means the part of any civil or criminal action or proceeding, whether intrastate or interstate, that involves a claim for the establishment or enforcement of a child support obligation. "Dispose" or "disposition" of a child support case means the entry of an order in a child support case that: Dismisses the claim for establishment or enforcement of the child support obligation; or Establishes a child support obligation, either temporary or permanent, and directs how that obligation is to be satisfied; or Orders a particular child support enforcement remedy. "Expedited process" means a procedure for having child support orders established and enforced by a magistrate or clerk who has been designated as a child support hearing officer pursuant to this Article. "Federal expedited process requirement" means the provision in Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(2), that requires as a condition of the receipt of federal funds that a state have laws that require the use of federally defined expedited processes for obtaining and enforcing child support orders. "Filing" means the date the defendant is served with a pleading that seeks establishment or enforcement of a child support obligation, or the date written notice or a pleading is sent to a party seeking establishment or enforcement of a child support obligation. "Hearing officer" or "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. "Initiating party" means the party, the attorney for a party, a child support enforcement agency established pursuant to Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act, or the clerk of superior court who initiates an action, proceeding, or procedure as allowed or required by law for the establishment or enforcement of a child support obligation. History (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 993, s. 1; 1987, c. 346.)