IV-D Courts were created pursuant to title IV-D of the Social Security Act, in order to establish and enforce child support orders. Title IV-D Courts hear child support and parentage cases, establish child and medical support orders, and enforce child support obligations. In 1984, Child Support Amendments to the federal Act mandated expedited processes, in the form of non-judge establishment and enforcement, to be eligible for federal funding. In response, the New Jersey Supreme Court authorized a pilot to test the use of hearing officers who would hear cases and recommend orders to judges, but not have the ultimate power of decision. The project became known as the Child Support Hearing Officer Program and is currently in use in New Jersey’s title IV-D Courts. As part of the Child Support Hearing Office Program, a New Jersey Child Support Hearing Officer (“CSHO”) is authorized to hear child support cases and make…