§ 48-2-504. Fee for report. - North Carolina Statutes

§48‑2‑504.  Fee for report.

(a)        An agency thatprepares a report to the court may charge the petitioner a reasonable fee forpreparing and writing the report. No fee may be charged except pursuant to awritten fee agreement which must be signed by the parties to be charged priorto the beginning of the preparation. The fee agreement may not be based on theoutcome of the report or the adoption proceeding.

(b)        A fee for a reportis subject to review by the court pursuant to G.S. 48‑2‑602 andG.S. 48‑2‑603.

(c)        The Departmentshall set the maximum fees, based on ability to pay and other factors, whichmay be charged by county departments of social services. The Department shallrequire waiver of fees for those unable to pay. Fees collected under thissection shall be applied to the costs of preparing and writing reports andshall be used by the county department of social services to supplement and notto supplant appropriated funds. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)