What is a Commissioner in Chancery?
The Commissioner is an attorney appointed by the Court to take certain evidence. He or she is paid by the parties to conduct a hearing a file a report. The Commissioner hears the evidence and writes a report with his or her conclusions and recommendations to the Court. The Commissioner s Report is filed with the Court and is considered by the Judge in dividing property and setting support. Please note that generally the Commissioner s hearing has no effect on the custody trial. The Commissioner is concerned with three major issues: 1) what grounds the divorce can/should be granted, 2) what “factors and circumstances” caused the dissolution of the parties marriage, and 3) whether spousal support can be barred.
