{ "id": 4361754, "name": "NEW HANOVER COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT On Behalf of ANGEL E. BEATTY, Plaintiff v. TOMMY D. GREENFIELD, Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "New Hanover County Child Support Enforcement ex rel. Beatty v. Greenfield", "decision_date": "2012", "docket_number": "No. COA11-1086", "first_page": "531", "last_page": "535", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "219 N.C. App. 531" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "662 S.E.2d 909", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12641439 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "912", "parenthetical": "internal quotation marks omitted" }, { "page": "912" }, { "page": "912" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/662/0909-01" ] }, { "cite": "421 S.E.2d 676", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1-75.10", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(a)(1)(b)" }, { "page": "(a)(1)" }, { "page": "(a)(1)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "191 N.C. App. 196", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 4159369 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "199-200", "parenthetical": "internal quotation marks omitted" }, { "page": "199-200" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/191/0196-01" ] }, { "cite": "603 S.E.2d 819", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "823", "parenthetical": "reviewing the denial of a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "166 N.C. App. 672", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8413329 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "678", "parenthetical": "reviewing the denial of a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/166/0672-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 489, "char_count": 9811, "ocr_confidence": 0.76, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.2853047016677135e-07, "percentile": 0.6185596148655771 }, "sha256": "4b0e376d277df6ae097738097188747e797b0cb664452f5ea11da2eca00a3b79", "simhash": "1:9b2a106a0d6c46d1", "word_count": 1649 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:16:59.313771+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges GEER and HUNTER, JR., Robert N. concur." ], "parties": [ "NEW HANOVER COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT On Behalf of ANGEL E. BEATTY, Plaintiff v. TOMMY D. GREENFIELD, Defendant" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "STEELMAN, Judge.\nService of process was made by a person that was qualified to make service under Rule of Civil Procedure 4. The affidavit of service was not fatally vague as to the method of service because competent evidence supported a factual finding that the process server personally delivered a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant. The trial court did not err in denying the defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss for insufficiency of service of process.\nI. Background and Procedural History\nThis appeal concerns an action to establish paternity and to obtain child support for a minor child, T.G., born 6 December 1996. On 8 March 2002, the New Hanover County Child Support Enforcement Agency (\u201cplaintiff\u2019), on behalf of the child\u2019s mother, Angel E. Beatty, filed a complaint seeking establishment of paternity and child support. The complaint alleged that Tommy D. Greenfield (\u201cdefendant\u201d) was the father. Plaintiff then attempted service on defendant no fewer than six times at six different addresses in Atlanta, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; New York, NY; and Stamford, Connecticut over a period of about four years.\nFinally, on 25 October 2005 in Richmond, Virginia, Eddie W. Null, Sr. served defendant with a summons, notice of hearing, complaint, and subpoena, according to an affidavit Null executed that day. After a hearing on 15 March 2006, the trial court determined defendant was T.G.\u2019s father and ordered defendant to pay $696 per month in child support as well as retroactive support of $4176. Several orders to show cause were issued when defendant failed to make any payments. On 31 March 2011, defendant filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction (Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(2)) and insufficiency of service of process (Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(5)). The trial court denied defendant\u2019s motion.\nDefendant appeals.\nII. Service of Process\nIn his only argument, defendant contends that service of process was defective. We disagree.\nA. Standard of Review\nWe review de novo questions of law implicated by the denial of a motion to dismiss for insufficiency of service of process. Cf. A.H. Beck Found. Co. v. Jones Bros., 166 N.C. App. 672, 678, 603 S.E.2d 819, 823 (2004) (reviewing the denial of a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction). The trial court\u2019s factual determinations are binding on this court if supported by competent evidence. Cf. id. However, a trial court is not required to make findings of fact in an order denying a motion to dismiss for insufficiency of process. See N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 52(a)(2) (2011). When the trial court does not make findings of fact and no party has requested them, \u201cit will be presumed that the judge, upon proper evidence, found facts sufficient to support his judgment.\u201d Rossetto USA, Inc. v. Greensky Fin., LLC, 191 N.C. App. 196, 199-200, 662 S.E.2d 909, 912 (2008) (internal quotation marks omitted). In such a case, we determine whether there is competent evidence in the record to support these presumed findings of fact. Id. at 200, 662 S.E.2d at 912.\nB. Analysis\nDefendant contends service was invalid because Null did not meet the qualifications for serving process under Rule of Civil Procedure 4. In North Carolina, N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 4(a) (2011) establishes who may make service of process for a North Carolina action. Rule 4 states that when service is made outside of North Carolina, the process server must be (1) \u201canyone who is not a party and is not less than 21 years of age\u201d or (2) \u201canyone duly authorized to serve summons by the law of the place where service is to be made.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 4(a).\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 l-75.10(a)(l) (2011) provides the method of establishing whether these rules were satisfied. When a defendant is personally served out of state, proof of service may be established by an affidavit executed by the process server. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1-75.10(a)(1)(b). That affidavit must show, among other things, the process server\u2019s \u201cqualifications to make service under Rule 4(a) or Rule 4(j3) of the Rules of Civil Procedure.\u201d Id. These qualifications may also be established in accordance with the proof of service rules of the state where service is made. Id.\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 l-75.10(a)(l) provides that if an affidavit demonstrates that service has been made in compliance with Rule 4(a), the plaintiff has provided proof of service. Rule 4(a) states that a person is qualified to make service if they are qualified in the state in which service is made. Therefore, if the affidavit establishes that the process server was authorized to make service in the state in which service was made, the plaintiff has provided valid proof of service with respect to the process server\u2019s qualifications. Accordingly, N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1-75.10(a)(1) and Rule 4(a) will be satisfied concerning process server qualifications.\nNull\u2019s affidavit states that he was over the age of eighteen and not a party to or otherwise interested in the action at the time of service. Under Rule 4(a), Null must qualify under Virginia law because the affidavit does not state he was twenty-one or older. In Virginia, \u201c[a]ny person of age 18 years or older and who is not a party or otherwise interested in the subject matter in controversy\u201d is authorized to serve process. Va. Code. Ann. \u00a7 8.01-293(A)(2) (2007). Null\u2019s affidavit affirmatively demonstrates that he was qualified to effect service under Rule 4(a) as required by N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 l-75.10(a)(l).\nDefendant contends service was defective under Harrel v. Preston, 421 S.E.2d 676 (Va. Ct. App. 1992). That decision governs proof of service under Virginia law. The rules governing proof of service are distinct from the qualifications of a process server. When service is made under the law of another state, North Carolina\u2019s proof of service statute still controls. Under that statute, there is no need to establish proof of service in accordance with the law of the state where service was made if proof of service is shown to be in accordance with North Carolina law. See N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1-75.10(a)(1). In this case, proof of service was established pursuant to North Carolina law. Therefore, Virginia\u2019s proof of service law does not apply.\nDefendant also argues that the affidavit of service is defective because it is too ambiguous as to the manner of service. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 4(j) (2011) establishes the manner of service necessary to exercise personal jurisdiction. One acceptable method is \u201c[b]y delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the natural person or by leaving copies thereof at the defendant\u2019s dwelling house or usual place of abode with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein.\u201d Id. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 4(j)(l)(a). Null\u2019s affidavit states:\nOn the 25th day of October, 2005, at 5:25 PM, at the address of 703 N 35th Street, RICHMOND, Richmond City County, VA; this affiant served the above described documents upon TOMMY D GREENFIELD, by then and there personally delivering 1 true and correct copy(ies) thereof, by then presenting to and leaving the same with TOMMY D GREENFIELD, black male, 40\u2019s, black hair, 5-11/190, person of suitable age and discretion who stated the above address to be the residence and usual place of abode of themselves and the subject(s) and/or subjects legal representative listed above. (Bold typeface omitted.)\nThis affidavit states that defendant was personally served and gives a physical description of defendant. He does not challenge this physical description on appeal. However, the affidavit also makes reference to a \u201cperson of suitable age and discretion.\u201d It was for the trial court to resolve any ambiguity in the return of service. Because none of the parties requested that the trial court make findings of fact, we presume the trial court made sufficient findings of fact to support the court\u2019s ruling that service was valid. Rossetto USA, 191 N.C. App. at 199-200, 662 S.E.2d at 912. One factual finding that the trial court would have to make in order to support its ruling was that Null personally delivered a copy of the summons and complaint directly to defendant and neglected to delete the extraneous text. There is competent evidence to support this finding\u2014namely, the language in Null\u2019s affidavit stating he served defendant personally and providing a physical description of defendant.\nDefendant\u2019s argument that service of process was invalid is without merit.\nIII. Conclusion\nDefendant has failed to establish that the order appealed from is void because service of process was improper. The order is\nAFFIRMED.\nJudges GEER and HUNTER, JR., Robert N. concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "STEELMAN, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Johnson, Lambeth & Brown, by Maynard M. Brown, Carter T. Lambeth & Christopher C. Loutit, for plaintiff-appellee.", "Highsmith Law Firm, P.A., by Mose L. Highsmith and James Zisa, Attorneys by James Zisa, for defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "NEW HANOVER COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT On Behalf of ANGEL E. BEATTY, Plaintiff v. TOMMY D. GREENFIELD, Defendant\nNo. COA11-1086\nProcess and Service\u2014Qualified process server\u2014affidavit of service not fatally vague\nThe trial court did not err in a paternity and child support case by denying defendant\u2019s motion to dismiss for insufficient service of process. Service of process was made by a person that was qualified to make service under Rule of Civil Procedure 4. Further, the affidavit of service was not fatally vague as to the method of service because competent evidence supported a factual finding that the process server personally delivered a copy of the summons and complaint to defendant.\nAppeal by defendant from order entered 21 April 2011 by Judge John J. Carroll, III in New Hanover County District Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 25 January 2012.\nJohnson, Lambeth & Brown, by Maynard M. Brown, Carter T. Lambeth & Christopher C. Loutit, for plaintiff-appellee.\nHighsmith Law Firm, P.A., by Mose L. Highsmith and James Zisa, Attorneys by James Zisa, for defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0531-01", "first_page_order": 541, "last_page_order": 545 }