Functions and Duties of Referees

Under the authority of the Superior Court, a referee shall have the following duties in relation to family law matters only:

(a)To take testimony and receive evidence for the record;

(b)To hear and decide motions and preliminary matters, unless the same are appealed by any party, including but not limited to the following matters:

(1)Orders to show cause for contempt;

(2)Orders to show cause or motions for child support, modification of spousal support, modification of child support, injunctive relief, other relief, attorney=s fees and costs and related matters;

(3)Stipulated orders as to child custody or visitation;

(4)Orders for enforcement of visitation rights;

(5)Motions of joinder;

(6)Motions to amend pleadings or to dismiss;

(7)Pretrial settlement conferences;

(8)Motions to withdraw;

(9)Motions or ex parte applications for wage assignments;

(10)Mediation to compel discovery or for protective orders;

(11)To enter default and stipulated orders, excluding default divorces; COL 6/21/2023 CH. 5A EXPEDITED JUDICIAL PROCESS

(12)To accept and approve voluntary acknowledgments of child support liability and stipulated agreements to pay support;

(13)To accept and acknowledgments of paternity; approve voluntary

(14)To enter temporary orders for support;

(15)To conduct informal office conferences with the parties to discuss and resolve problems or questions about any matters relating to child support including support guidelines, payment schedules, paternity and support payment delinquencies;

(16)To refer appropriate custody cases to mediation or to home study referral or to both;

(17)To enter judgments and contempt orders for failure to comply with support orders or for other contempt of the family court;

(18)To carry out all other duties necessary to adjudicate child support matters, modification of support and related matters; and

(19)To discharge on behalf of the Superior Court, subject to the approval of the presiding judge, any other duties the Superior Court may have under 5 Guam Code Annotated, Chapter 34, relating to child support enforcement.

(c)Subpoena powers. A referee or the clerk of court may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum at the request of any party in accordance with the provisions of '7201, et seq., of Title 6, Guam Code Annotated.

(d)To hear and decide, unless the Referee=s recommended decision is appealed by any party, whether an employer has committed the violation of failing to report the hiring or rehiring of an employee.