The Clerk of Superior Court is elected for four years and must be a resident of the county in which he or she is elected. Unlike clerks of court in other states, the Clerk of Superior Court in North Carolina has numerous judicial functions.
As judge of probate, the Clerk has exclusive original jurisdiction over matters relating to the probate of wills, and the administration of estates, including appointing personal representatives, auditing their accounting, and removing them from office if necessary. The Clerk also presides over many other legal matters including adoptions, incompetency proceedings, condemnation of private lands for public use, and foreclosures. The Clerk is responsible for all clerical and record-keeping functions of the district and superior court. In addition, the Clerk receives and disburses money collected each year from court fees and fines. This is the office to which questions regarding guardianship should be directed, and to which annual accounting reports are to be submitted.
According to the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, in a publication dated April 3, 2017, New Hanover County does not have a designated Disability Access Coordinator for local courts. If accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, are needed, call the office of the Clerk at the number above. Be prepared to provide the following essential information: the name of the individual needing assistance, the exact type of accommodation(s) needed, the case file number, the date and time of the trial or hearing, the status of the individual (plaintiff, defendant, juror, witness, court observer, other), and, if applicable, the contact information for the attorney representing the individual.
Both handicap parking and building access are available in the rear of the building.
