For the purposes of subsection (b)(10) of this section, “child” means an unmarried individual under the age of 21 years. An equity court has jurisdiction over: adoption of a child, except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance; alimony; annulment of a marriage; divorce; custody or guardianship of a child except for a child who is under the jurisdiction of any juvenile court and who previously has been adjudicated to be a child in need of assistance; visitation of a child; legitimation of a child; paternity; support of a child; custody or guardianship of an immigrant child pursuant to a motion for Special Immigrant Juvenile factual findings requesting a determination that the child was abused, neglected, or abandoned before the age of 18 years for purposes of § 101(a)(27)(J) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act; and a petition for authorization for a minor to marry. In exercising its jurisdiction over the custody, guardianship, visitation, or support of a child, an equity court may: direct who shall have the custody or guardianship of a child, pendente lite or permanently; determine who shall have visitation rights to a child; decide who shall be charged with the support of the child, pendente lite or permanently; from time to time, set aside or modify its decree or order concerning the child; or issue an injunction to protect a party to the action from physical harm or harassment. This section does not take away or impair the jurisdiction of a juvenile court or a criminal court with respect to the custody, guardianship, visitation, and support of a child.

In an action in which custody, visitation rights, or the amount of support of a minor child is contested, the court may: appoint a lawyer who shall serve as a child advocate attorney to represent the minor child and who may not represent any party to the action; or appoint a lawyer who shall serve as a best interest attorney to represent the minor child and who may not represent any party to the action; and impose counsel fees against one or more parties to the action. A lawyer appointed under this section shall exercise ordinary care and diligence in the representation of a minor child.

In an action for alimony, annulment, or divorce, an equity court: has all the powers of a court of equity; and may issue an injunction to protect any party to the action from physical harm or harassment. Unless the court expressly provides otherwise, the filing of an action for an annulment, a limited divorce, or an absolute divorce does not constitute lis pendens with respect to any property of a party. In an action for alimony, annulment, or divorce, a final decree may not be entered except on oral testimony by the plaintiff in a hearing before an examiner or a magistrate or in open court. An equity court shall hear and determine a case for alimony in as full and ample a manner as a case for alimony could be heard and determined by the Ecclesiastical Courts of England.