3125.60 Appointing magistrates - administrative and support personnel. - Ohio Statutes

3125.60 Appointing magistrates - administrative and support personnel.

(A) In any Title IV-D case, the judge, when necessary to satisfy the federal requirement of expedited process for obtaining court support orders and enforcing support orders, may appoint magistrates to make findings of fact and recommendations for the judge’s approval in the case. All magistrates appointed pursuant to this section shall be attorneys admitted to the practice of law in this state. A court that appoints a magistrate pursuant to this section may appoint any additional administrative and support personnel for the magistrate.

(B) Any magistrate appointed pursuant to this section may perform any of the following functions:

(1) Taking testimony and keeping a record in the case;

(2) Evaluating evidence and issuing recommendations to establish and modify court support orders and enforce support orders;

(3) Accepting voluntary acknowledgments of support liability and stipulated agreements setting the amount of support to be paid;

(4) Entering default orders if the obligor does not respond to notices in the case within a reasonable time after the notices are issued;

(5) Any other functions considered necessary by the court.

Effective Date: 03-22-2001