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Any person seeking to set, enforce, modify or terminate support may commence such an action by filing a petition and testimony in the form prescribed by § 36-5-406 with the office of the clerk.
When a petition is filed, the clerk shall designate a hearing date on the notice prescribed in this part or, in the alternative, shall designate a hearing date on the summons to be served by the sheriff if the petitioner elects to proceed by having the sheriff serve process to initiate this proceeding. The hearing date shall be within thirty (30) days of the date the petition is filed. If process is served by certified mail, the clerk shall then send a copy of the completed petition, testimony, and notice to respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested. The clerk shall give a copy of completed notice, petition, and testimony to petitioner.
If the return receipt is not received by the hearing date, and the respondent fails to appear, then the magistrate shall direct the clerk to reissue the petition with a new notice of hearing and may direct service as set out in subsection (b), or may direct service by issuance of a summons to be served by the sheriff or process server, designated by the magistrate. If a petition is for contempt, either the magistrate or the judge may issue an attachment for the arrest of the respondent with a bond.
If the respondent fails to appear after service and if the return receipt does bear the signature of respondent, the magistrate may grant the relief sought in the petition by default. If a petition is for contempt, either the magistrate or the judge may issue an attachment for the arrest of the respondent with a bond.
If respondent does appear, the magistrate may enter a consent order if the parties reach an agreement and the magistrate finds the agreement to be reasonable.
If the respondent appears and the parties do not agree, the magistrate shall hear testimony and issue an order granting such relief as the magistrate finds appropriate.
Upon the conclusion of the hearing in each case, the magistrate shall transmit to the judge all papers relating to the case, along with the magistrate's findings and recommendations in writing. A magistrate's decision on a preliminary matter, not dispositive of the ultimate issue in the case, shall be final and not reviewable by the judge.
Any party may, within five (5) days thereafter, excluding nonjudicial days, file a request for a hearing by the judge of the court having jurisdiction. The judge may, on the judge's own motion, order a rehearing of any matter heard before a magistrate, and shall allow a hearing if a request for such is filed as herein prescribed. Unless the judge orders otherwise, any recommendation of the magistrate shall be in effect pending rehearing or approval by the court.
If a hearing before the judge is not requested, the findings and recommendations of the magistrate become the final decree of the court when confirmed by an order of the judge.
There shall be no litigation tax and the clerk shall not refuse to file a petition for a party proceeding under this part for failure to pay a filing fee. When a party is unable to pay the filing fee, such party shall be required to take and subscribe to in writing the pauper's oath set out in § 20-12-127, and such affidavit shall be attached to such party's petition.
Any party may appeal a final order entered under this section to the court of appeals. Any such appeal shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure.