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RULE 8.2 INTERIM ORDERS IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES

Effective Date: 3/1/1996

Obsolete Date: 3/1/1999

(a) Ex Parte Interim Order.

(1) No interim order may issue except upon notice and hearing unless the court specifically finds exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances include:

(A) Threat of imminent danger to any party or minor child of the party; or
(B) Circumstances indicating that an ex parte order is necessary to protect the parties, any minor children of the parties, or the marital estate.

(2) No ex parte interim order may be issued unless the movant executes an affidavit setting forth specific facts justifying the issuance of the order. A restraining and eviction order may not be issued ex parte unless the movant also appears personally and good cause is shown for issuance of the order.

(3) The provisions which may be included in an ex parte interim order are temporary custody, support and other appropriate expenses, use of real or personal property, restraining and eviction.

(4) If there has been an appearance in the action by the adverse party, or if the attorney for the moving party has knowledge that the adverse party is represented by an attorney, the attorney for the moving party shall notify the court. After receiving notice of the appearance or representation, the court shall attempt to hold an emergency hearing, either in person or by telephonic conference, at which both parties may be heard, before issuing any order. The issuance of an order following an emergency hearing will in no manner affect a party's right to a further hearing on the merits of the order as provided in Rule 8.2 (a)(5).

(5) An interim order issued ex parte must provide specifically:

A. That the party to whom the order is directed, upon written motion may have a hearing upon the necessity for the issuance of the order or the amounts to be paid; and

B. That unless the motion is served and filed in the office of the clerk of district court within 10 days after service of the interim order, the order becomes final and is nonappealable, pending a final determination of the issues raised by the pleadings or until further order of the court in the event of a material change of circumstances.

C. That any hearing on the order must be held within 30 days from the date the motion is filed, unless an earlier hearing is required under chapter 14-07.1, NDCC. If the ex parte order contains provisions delineated in chapter 14-07.1, NDCC, the hearing must be scheduled in a timely manner to conform with the chapter.

(6) The ex parte interim order remains in effect until it is amended following a court hearing.

(b) Interim Orders Upon Motion and Hearing.

(1) Support. An interim order may provide for payment of support and other appropriate expenses. In the event support is ordered, a current mailing address must be listed for both parties.

(2) Custody - Visitation. An interim order providing for temporary custody of minor children may be granted, in which case the order must provide for reasonable visitation rights, unless the evidence establishes that visitation should be restricted to certain times and places or prohibited.

(3) Attorney's Fees and Costs. An interim order may provide for payment of attorney's fees and costs if evidence establishes that a party has insufficient personal income or funds with which to pay attorney's fees and costs.

(4) Use of Property. An interim order may provide for the use of real or personal property, and for restraining and eviction.

(c) Payments to Clerk. The interim order must provide that all support payments be paid to and through the clerk of the district court. Payments must be in a manner acceptable to the clerk unless otherwise ordered by the court.

(d) Time for Hearing Upon Notice. If a notice of motion and motion are served to obtain an interim order, the court shall hold a hearing no later than 30 days from the date of filing the motion.

(e) Submission of Evidence.

(1) In any proceedings under this rule, each party shall file an itemized financial statement prepared as illustrated in appendix B.

(2) Unless the court otherwise orders, evidence either in support of or in opposition to the interim order must be presented by affidavit. Evidence presented by affidavit may not be considered unless, at the time of the evidentiary hearing, the party offering the affidavit makes the affiant available for cross examination. The party initially seeking interim relief shall proceed first at the hearing. The affidavits and itemized financial statement of the moving party must be served and filed no later than ten days prior to the commencement of the hearing. Respondent's affidavits and itemized financial statement must be served and filed no later than three days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

Rule 8.2 was amended, effective September 1, 1983; January 1, 1995; March 1, 1996; March 1, 1999; March 1, 2001; October 9, 2002; August 1, 2009; March 1, 2010; March 1, 2011; March 1, 2014; March 1, 2021.

A motion for a change of venue must be promptly ruled on to accomplish the Committee's intent for interim orders to be expeditiously heard.

Subdivision (a)(5) was amended, effective March 1, 2010, to provide, unless waived, a mandatory hearing upon the necessity for the issuance of the order or the amounts to be paid be held within 30 days of the issuance of an ex parte interim order.

Subdivision (a) was amended, effective March 1, 2011, to add new paragraphs (8) and (9), clarifying types of ex parte interim orders that may be requested post judgment. Under N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.6, notice is required prior to postjudgment modification of primary residential responsibility. If exceptional circumstances exist, a postjudgment modification of parenting time may be made ex parte.

Paragraph (b)(5) was added, effective March 1, 2001.

Paragraph (b)(6) was amended, effective March 1, 2001; October 9, 2002. When an order for child support or spousal support is entered, the order must provide for payment to and through the State Disbursement Unit.

A new subdivision (c) was inserted, effective March 1, 2021, to provide a procedure for motions for temporary modification of residential responsibility.

Paragraph (d)(2) was amended, effective March 1, 2011, to require a party wishing to cross-examine a declarant to provide pre-hearing notice to the party offering the declaration.

Paragraph (d)(2) was amended, effective March 1, 2014, to clarify that a party wishing to cross-examine an opposing party does not need to provide pre-hearing notice.

Paragraph (d)(3) was amended, effective March 1, 2011, to change the time for service and filing of declarations.

This rule was amended, effective March 1, 2021, to delete the term “affidavit” and replace it with “declaration.” This amendment was made in response to N.D.C.C. ch. 31-15, which allows anyone to make an unsworn declaration that has the same effect as a sworn declaration, such as an affidavit. N.D.C.C. § 31-15-05 provides the required form for an unsworn declaration.

SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of April 24, 2020, page 4; April 26, 2019, pages 28-30; January 31-February 1, 2013, pages 10-11; September 23-24, 2010, pages 3-7; April 29-30, 2010, pages 7-9, 27; January 28-29, 2010, pages 7-8; September 24-25, 2009, pages 10-11; May 21-22, 2009, pages 44-45; September 26-27, 2002; September 28-29, 2000, pages 9-10; January 27-28, 2000, pages 19-21; April 30-May 1, 1998, pages 8-9; April 27-28, 1995, pages 9-15; September 23-24, 1993, pages 16-17; April 20, 1989, page 17; April 26, 1984, page 17; September 30-October 1, 1982, pages 18-21; December 11-12, 1980, pages 3-4 and 7.

Statutes Affected:

Considered: N.D.C.C. ch. 31-15, § 14-09-06.6

Effective Date Obsolete Date
03/01/2021 View
03/01/2014 03/01/2021 View
03/01/2011 03/01/2014 View
03/01/2010 03/01/2011 View
08/01/2009 03/01/2010 View
10/09/2002 08/01/2009 View
03/01/2001 10/09/2002 View
03/01/1999 03/01/2001 View
03/01/1996 03/01/1999 View