FFS Resources
FFS Brochure
FFS Rules and Statute
The Rules for Settlement Procedures in District Court Family Financial cases (FFS Rules) were first adopted by the Supreme Court in 1998, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.4. (later revised as N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.4A). The FFS Rules provide a menu of dispute resolution alternatives designed to expedite settlement of family financial matters, including cases involving claims for equitable distribution, alimony, and child support. The parties, in consultation with their attorneys, are given an opportunity to select from: mediated settlement (mediation), neutral evaluation, judicial settlement conference (if available in the district), and any other procedure authorized under local rule in the judicial district in which the case is pending. The default procedure, in the event parties do not select one of the menu options, is "mediated settlement". Anyone with questions about the FFS Rules may contact the Commission's office. The FFS Rule revisions are effective January 6, 2025.
FFS Forms
- AOC-CV-815 - Motion and Order For Show Cause Hearing
- AOC-CV-816 - Order Of Contempt For Non-Payment Of Mediator's Fees
- AOC-CV-824 - Order For Mediated Settlement Conference In Family Financial Case
- AOC-CV-825 - Designation of Mediator By Agreement of Parties in Family Financial Cases and Order Of Appointment
- AOC-CV-841 - Appointment of Mediator By Court Order in Family Financial Case
- AOC-CV-826 - Motion for an Order to Use Settlement Procedure Other Than Mediated Settlement Conference or Judicial Settlement Conference in Family Financial Case
- AOC-CV-827 - Report of Mediator In Family Financial Case
- AOC-CV-828 - Petition And Order For Relief From Obligation To Pay All Or Part Of Mediator's Fee In Family Financial Case
- AOC-CV-835 - Motion and Order Extending Completion Date for Mediated Settlement Conference or Other Settlement Procedure
- AOC-CV-836 - Consent Order For Substitution Of Mediator
- AOC-DRC-03 - Application For Certification To Conduct Family Financial Mediations
- AOC-DRC-05 - Dispute Resolution Commission Complaint Form
- AOC-DRC-08 - Certificate Of Observation
- AOC-DRC-09 - Mediator Evaluation Form
- AOC-DRC-17 - Mediated Settlement Agreement (FFS Program)
- AOC-DRC-18 - Mediation Summary
- AOC-DRC-19 - Order without Motion Extending Completion Date for Mediated Settlement Conference or Other Settlement Procedures Upon Stipulation of the Parties, Suggestion of the Mediator, or Upon the Court’s Own Order
- AOC-DRC-20 - Notice of Withdrawal/Disqualification Of Mediator and Order for Substitution of Mediator
- Guide to Assist Parties in Preparing for a Family Financial Mediation
FFS Mediation Coordinators
Standards of Professional Conduct
Advisory Opinions and Policy
To provide guidance to mediators in interpreting the Standards of Professional Conduct for Mediators or program rules and applying them to ethical or other dilemmas that may arise in the course of a mediation practice.