North CarolinaHB 6202025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT TO MODIFY PROVISIONS AFFECTING THE COURTS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS.

Sponsored By: Sarah Stevens (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AOCCHILD CUSTODYCOUNTIESCOURT CLERKSCOURTSCRIMESDEATH & DYINGDOMESTIC VIOLENCEESTATESGUARDIANSHIPID SYSTEMSINCOMPETENTSINSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONSJUDICIAL DEPT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

23 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 1 costs, 9 mixed.

Court e-filing and e-signatures with safeguards

From July 2, 2025, the Supreme Court sets rules for statewide electronic filing and e-signatures. You must register to e-file, and people filing without a lawyer must provide ID. The rules address waiving e-filing fees for people who are indigent. Verified and notarized paper documents can be converted to official electronic court records. Original wills and codicils must still be filed in paper and kept by the clerk.

Stronger rules for juvenile custody and bonds

Starting December 1, 2025, judges must find a reasonable factual basis before ordering secure custody of a child. Courts can issue a secure-custody order after filing, but the petition and order must be served and sent to the facility within 72 hours if the child was not served at detention. When a case moves to juvenile court, people who posted the child’s bond are released when the superior court reviews secure custody. A bail bond for a juvenile also ends when the court reviews custody after remand or removal to juvenile court.

New eviction fee caps and sanctions

Beginning September 9, 2024, courts cap a landlord’s attorney fees in eviction cases at 15%. For nonpayment cases, the cap is 15% of the tenant’s total debt. For other lease defaults, the cap is 15% of one month’s rent. If a tenant appeals and the landlord wins, and the court finds the appeal was frivolous or for delay, the landlord can recover all actual reasonable attorney fees.

Business Court expands and sets limits

Beginning December 1, 2025, cases about intellectual property, software, IT, data security, drugs, and biotech can be handled as complex business cases. The Chief Justice can label cases as complex and must pick Business Court judges with the right expertise, but no more than six judges may serve. Parties have 30 days after service to seek designation, or can file with a triggering counterclaim. Business Court judges must write opinions on key motions and final orders. Appeals over Oil and Gas Commission confidentiality decisions go straight to Business Court, and the Commission cannot release the information until the appeal time ends or a final court ruling.

Easier vehicle transfers and will safekeeping

Starting December 1, 2025, heirs can transfer a decedent’s car title without full probate using a certified will or a signed affidavit by all heirs. A surviving parent may sign the affidavit for a minor or incompetent who has no guardian. Existing creditor liens still apply. Clerks must keep a depository to store original paper wills securely and privately. The law also gives people 20 days (not 15) to respond before an implied renunciation in estate administration.

Faster payments for jurors and witnesses

The courts can pay jurors, witnesses, and others by debit card or other prompt methods. This speeds small payments. The law does not change how much money you get.

Faster notice of mental health commitments

Clerks must send copies of inpatient and outpatient commitment orders to the treatment doctor or center and to the person. If an LME/MCO will monitor outpatient care, the clerk also sends the order to that LME/MCO and names it in the order. Clerks must send these by the most reliable and fast method within 48 hours of the hearing.

Clear authority for assigned and substitute judges

An assigned judge has the same power over that case as a resident judge. A judge can settle the record on appeal even after resigning, retiring, or leaving office. Starting July 2, 2025, if the original judge cannot finish post‑trial work, a set order of backup judges steps in to keep the case moving.

Each county has at least one magistrate

The General Assembly sets the minimum number of magistrates for each county. No county can have fewer than one magistrate. The Administrative Office of the Courts no longer sets numbers above that minimum.

High Point Law gets appellate reports

The courts must send five printed copies of appellate reports to High Point University School of Law on request. The State pays the cost.

Judges serve through the year they turn 72

Superior and district court judges can remain in office until December 31 of the year they turn 72. Retired judges can still be recalled for temporary service.

Statewide support for recovery court programs

Beginning August 1, 2025, the state creates a Judicially Managed Accountability and Recovery Court Program in the court system. The Administrative Office of the Courts provides staff, monitors local programs, and reports each year by March 1 on how the program is working.

Uniform rules for juror training materials

Starting December 1, 2025, the state court administrator sets the rules for any training or education given to jurors, including grand jurors. Courts cannot give materials that the rules do not allow.

Name changes: no posting, more privacy

Starting December 1, 2025, you no longer must publish a 10‑day notice to change your name. You file in the county where you live. If you are in the address confidentiality program or show you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, your application and court record are private. Those records are opened only by court order or with your written consent.

Out-of-state lawyers face NC discipline

Starting July 2, 2025, the State Bar can discipline lawyers not admitted in North Carolina if they practice here. They face the same misconduct rules as NC‑licensed lawyers. This protects clients who hire out‑of‑state attorneys working in North Carolina.

Changes to court forms must be marked

If you change a court form issued by the AOC, you must say it was modified and list the changes. You cannot make it look like the original AOC form. This adds a small paperwork step for anyone who edits AOC forms.

Updated service rules for protective orders

In domestic violence cases, the court serves papers through North Carolina law enforcement only when that agency is in North Carolina. Clerks set hearings and handle service for people who file without a lawyer when NC agencies serve. They may also issue show-cause hearing notices when danger is found and the clerk is unavailable.

Court recordings kept, public audio limited

If the clerk records a trial, the clerk must run the device and keep the record. The Administrative Office of the Courts can name who transcribes the record. Starting December 1, 2025, most court reporter audio is not a public record. Audio can be released only by court order for good cause after notice to all parties.

Guardianship: bonds and inventory deadlines

Starting December 1, 2025, licensed banks and trust companies with guardian powers do not need a guardian bond. Other guardians can acknowledge a bond before the clerk or a notary, but the clerk still must approve it. Every guardian must file a sworn inventory within three months; the clerk can extend up to six months for good cause. A guardianship can also end when a final order transfers the case out of North Carolina.

Mediation privacy narrowed for abuse cases

Starting July 2, 2025, talks in court-ordered mediations stay confidential in most cases. The law adds exceptions for juvenile abuse, neglect, or dependency cases, and for adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation cases. These rules do not stop criminal charges or required reporting.

New rules to remove a court clerk

To start removal, a filer must submit a sworn paper affidavit, serve it, and pay superior court costs unless the filer is a Judicial Branch official. If costs are unpaid after 30 days, the case is dismissed without prejudice. Within 10 days, a judge reviews for probable cause and may suspend the clerk if immediate harm is likely; pay continues during suspension. A public hearing is set 30–60 days after the probable cause order and uses a clear‑and‑convincing standard; if removed, the clerk’s pay ends. Parties must exchange evidence and witness lists five days before, filings stay confidential until probable cause, related criminal cases can pause the matter, a removed clerk can appeal with pay restored if reinstated, and an acting clerk is appointed during suspension or appeal.

Simpler probate and spousal estate steps

Beginning December 1, 2025, a three‑person commission, not a jury, sets a surviving spouse’s life estate and must file a report within 60 days. Wills proved in another state for a North Carolina resident can be probated here with a certified copy. Probate accounts must be signed under oath and list property, income, payments, distributions, and balances. A surviving spouse asking for summary administration must include detailed facts and agree to pay debts up to the value received. If a receiver is appointed for an absentee’s estate, claimants get notice and have six months to file sworn claims.

Mediation stays private, with key exceptions

Starting July 2, 2025, mediators and neutral observers generally cannot be forced to testify about settlement talks, except to confirm signatures. Testimony or evidence can be compelled in certain cases, like sanctions, disciplinary matters, enforcing or undoing a settlement, and cases of juvenile or adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The same exceptions apply to mediations before clerks. These rules do not create immunity from crimes or stop required reports.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Sarah Stevens
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 308 • No: 2

House vote • 6/26/2025

HB 620: Administrative Office of the Courts Agency Requests.

Yes: 107 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

HB 620: AOC Agency Requests.-AB

Yes: 43 • No: 2 • Other: 5