50-10. Material facts found by judge or jury in divorce or annulment proceedings; when notice of trial not required; procedure same as ordinary civil actions.
(a) Except as provided for in subsection (e) of this section, the material facts in every complaint asking for a divorce or for an annulment shall be deemed to be denied by the defendant, whether the same shall be actually denied by pleading or not, and no judgment shall be given in favor of the plaintiff in any such complaint until such facts have been found by a judge or jury.
(b) Nothing herein shall require notice of trial to be given to a defendant who has not made an appearance in the action.
(c) The determination of whether there is to be a jury trial or a trial before the judge without a jury shall be made in accordance with G.S. 1A-1, Rules 38 and 39.
(d) The provisions of G.S. 1A-1, Rule 56, shall be applicable to actions for absolute divorce pursuant to G.S. 50-6, for the purpose of determining whether any genuine issue of material fact remains for trial by jury, but in the event the court determines that no genuine issue of material fact remains for trial by jury, the court must find the facts as provided herein. The court may enter a judgment of absolute divorce pursuant to the procedures set forth in G.S. 1A-1, Rule 56, finding all requisite facts from nontestimonial evidence presented by affidavit, verified motion or other verified pleading.
(e) The clerk of superior court, upon request of the plaintiff, may enter judgment in cases in which the plaintiff's only claim against the defendant is for absolute divorce, or absolute divorce and the resumption of a former name, and the defendant has been defaulted for failure to appear, the defendant has answered admitting the allegations of the complaint, or the defendant has filed a waiver of the right to answer, and the defendant is not an infant or incompetent person. (1868-9, c. 93, s. 47; Code, s. 1288; Rev., s. 1564; C.S., s. 1662; 1963, c. 540, ss. 1, 2; 1965, c. 105; c. 636, s. 4; 1971, c. 17; 1973, cc. 2, 460; 1981, c. 12; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1037, s. 4; 1985, c. 140; 1991, c. 568, s. 1; 2004-128, s. 6.)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 50 - Divorce and Alimony
Article 1 - Divorce, Alimony, and Child Support, Generally.
§ 50-2 - Bond for costs unnecessary.
§ 50-3 - Venue; removal of action.
§ 50-4 - What marriages may be declared void on application of either party.
§ 50-5.1 - Grounds for absolute divorce in cases of incurable insanity.
§ 50-6 - Divorce after separation of one year on application of either party.
§ 50-7 - Grounds for divorce from bed and board.
§ 50-9 - Effect of answer of summons by defendant.
§ 50-11 - Effects of absolute divorce.
§ 50-11.1 - Children born of voidable marriage legitimate.
§ 50-11.3 - Certain judgments entered prior to January 1, 1981, validated.
§ 50-11.4 - Certain judgments of divorce validated.
§ 50-12 - Resumption of maiden or premarriage surname.
§ 50-13.1 - Action or proceeding for custody of minor child.
§ 50-13.2A - Action for visitation of an adopted grandchild.
§ 50-13.3 - Enforcement of order for custody.
§ 50-13.4 - Action for support of minor child.
§ 50-13.5 - Procedure in actions for custody or support of minor children.
§ 50-13.6 - Counsel fees in actions for custody and support of minor children.
§ 50-13.7 - Modification of order for child support or custody.
§ 50-13.8 - Custody of persons incapable of self-support upon reaching majority.
§ 50-13.9 - Procedure to insure payment of child support.
§ 50-13.13 - Motion or claim for relief from child support order based on finding of nonpaternity.
§ 50-16.2A - Postseparation support.
§ 50-16.4 - Counsel fees in actions for alimony, postseparation support.
§ 50-16.6 - When alimony, postseparation support, counsel fees not payable.
§ 50-16.7 - How alimony and postseparation support paid; enforcement of decree.
§ 50-16.8 - Procedure in actions for postseparation support.
§ 50-16.9 - Modification of order.
§ 50-16.10 - Alimony without action.
§ 50-17 - Alimony in real estate, writ of possession issued.
§ 50-18 - Residence of military personnel; payment of defendant's travel expenses by plaintiff.
§ 50-19 - Maintenance of certain actions as independent actions permissible.
§ 50-19.1 - Maintenance of certain appeals allowed.
§ 50-20 - Distribution by court of marital and divisible property.
§ 50-20.1 - Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation benefits.