PDFWAC 388-14A-3131
What happens if neither parent appears for the hearing?
(1) If neither parent appears at the scheduled hearing after being sent a notice of hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) enters an order on default, declaring the support establishment notice's claim for support to be final and subject to collection action. See WAC 388-14A-6110 and 388-14A-6115 to determine whether the ALJ issues an initial order or a final order.
(2) As provided in WAC 388-14A-6125, an initial order on default is subject to collection action on the twenty-second day after the order was mailed by the office of administrative hearings, and a final default order is enforceable immediately upon entry.
(3) A parent that did not appear may petition to vacate the default order pursuant to WAC 388-14A-6150.
(a) If the ALJ vacates the order of default, the ALJ then conducts a full hearing on the merits of the NFFR, NFPR or NFMR. All parties may participate in the hearing.
(b) If the parent who did not appear at the hearing is unsuccessful in the motion to vacate the default order, the ALJ may treat the petition as a petition to modify the support order.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.310, 26.26.315, 26.26.320, 26.26.330, 26.26.335, 74.20A.055, 2002 c 302, and 2002 c 199. WSR 03-17-013, § 388-14A-3131, filed 8/12/03, effective 9/12/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. WSR 01-24-081, § 388-14A-3131, filed 12/3/01, effective 1/3/02; WSR 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3131, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-400 and 388-11-425.]