The Rules Implementing Settlement Procedures in Equitable Distribution and Other Family Financial Cases (FFS Rules) were first adopted by the Supreme Court in 1998, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.4. (later revised as N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.4A). The FFS Rules provide a menu of dispute resolution alternatives designed to expedite settlement of family financial matters, including cases involving claims for equitable distribution, alimony, and child support. The parties, in consultation with their attorneys, are given an opportunity to select from the menu. The alternatives included on the menu are: mediated settlement (mediation), neutral evaluation, judicial settlement conference (if available in the district), and any other procedure authorized under local rule in the judicial district in which the case is pending. The default procedure, in the event parties do not select one of the menu options, is "mediated settlement".
Anyone with questions about the FFS Rules may contact the Commission's office.
The FFS Rules were last revised on February 17, 2010, with the revisions effective March 1, 2010.
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All FFS Rules
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