North Carolina General Statutes
Article 1 - Divorce, Alimony, and Child Support, Generally.
§ 50-13.6 - Counsel fees in actions for custody and support of minor children.

50-13.6. Counsel fees in actions for custody and support of minor children.
In an action or proceeding for the custody or support, or both, of a minor child, including a motion in the cause for the modification or revocation of an existing order for custody or support, or both, the court may in its discretion order payment of reasonable attorney's fees to an interested party acting in good faith who has insufficient means to defray the expense of the suit. Before ordering payment of a fee in a support action, the court must find as a fact that the party ordered to furnish support has refused to provide support which is adequate under the circumstances existing at the time of the institution of the action or proceeding; provided however, should the court find as a fact that the supporting party has initiated a frivolous action or proceeding the court may order payment of reasonable attorney's fees to an interested party as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. (1967, c. 1153, s. 2; 1973, c. 323.)

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.

§ 50-8 - Contents of complaint; verification; venue and service in action by nonresident; certain divorces validated.

§ 50-9 - Effect of answer of summons by defendant.

§ 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.

§ 50-11 - Effects of absolute divorce.

§ 50-11.1 - Children born of voidable marriage legitimate.

§ 50-11.2 - Judgment provisions pertaining to care, custody, tuition and maintenance of minor children.

§ 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.

§ 50-13.01 - Purposes.

§ 50-13.1 - Action or proceeding for custody of minor child.

§ 50-13.2 - Who entitled to custody; terms of custody; visitation rights of grandparents; taking child out of State; consideration of parent's military service[Effective until January 1, 2023]

§ 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.

§ 50-13.10 - Past due child support vested; not subject to retroactive modification; entitled to full faith and credit.

§ 50-13.11 - Orders and agreements regarding medical support and health insurance coverage for minor children.

§ 50-13.12 - Forfeiture of licensing privileges for failure to pay child support or for failure to comply with subpoena issued pursuant to child support or paternity establishment proceedings.

§ 50-13.13 - Motion or claim for relief from child support order based on finding of nonpaternity.

§ 50-16.1A - Definitions.

§ 50-16.2A - Postseparation support.

§ 50-16.3A - Alimony.

§ 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.

§ 50-21 - Procedures in actions for equitable distribution of property; sanctions for purposeful and prejudicial delay.

§ 50-22 - Action on behalf of an incompetent.