A domestic relations counselor shall, when directed by the judge of any domestic relations court, perform the following duties in domestic relations cases and such other duties as the judge of the domestic relations court assigns to the counselor:

1. (1) The domestic relations counselor shall promptly receive all requests for counseling services for the purpose of disposing of the requests under this chapter.

2. (2) Whenever a petition is filed and either party requests counseling, the domestic relations counselor shall, in the counselor's discretion:

   1. (A) interview and counsel each plaintiff and, if feasible and desirable, each defendant; or

   2. (B) confer with both jointly;

      for the purpose of reconciling the differences between the parties and making recommendations to the judge of the domestic relations court.

3. (3) In each case assigned to the domestic relations court in which the custody, support, or welfare of a child is involved, in order to protect and conserve the interest of the child, the domestic relations counselor shall investigate and report upon:

   1. (A) the status and condition of the parties to the cause;
   2. (B) the status and condition of the child;
   3. (C) the provisions made or to be made for the protection of the welfare of the child; and
   4. (D) any other matter pertaining to the marriage that may affect the welfare of the child.

4. (4) Upon request of the domestic relations court judge, the counselor shall:

   1. (A) make post-dissolution studies of problems arising in connection with child custody, support, and parenting time;
   2. (B) provide assistance to the parties in the enforcement of support orders; and
   3. (C) cause reports to be made and statistics to be compiled, which records and reports shall be kept as the judge of the domestic relations court may direct.

5. (5) The counselor shall provide such supervision in connection with the exercise of the jurisdiction of the domestic relations court as the judge may order.

   [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-1-23-6 part.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.68-2005, SEC.9.