The chief probation officer of each county shall, when requested by the superior court, immediately investigate and furnish to the court all necessary and available information and data concerning persons who may have become the subject of or legally interested in any matrimonial action in that court, or in any proceeding directly or indirectly involving the custody of infants, and who are residents of or are temporarily found within the county for which such probation officer was appointed.

When ordered by the superior court the chief probation officer shall cause to be investigated the financial status of applicants who are seeking relief through forma pauperis petitions.

The superior court may also order payments of alimony or support, or both, to be made in proper cases through the chief probation officer, who shall distribute such payments as directed by the court.

The superior court is empowered and authorized formally to request and require such investigations and information from any chief probation officer as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section, and such requests may be made at any time and at any stage of any proceeding pending in the superior court. The court shall also have the discretionary power, in actions involving the custody of infants, to file a certified copy of its order or judgment with the chief probation officer of the county or counties where the child or children reside, with a direction therein to make periodic reports to the court as to the status of the custody.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.