(1) A notice and finding of parental responsibility (NFPR) is an administrative notice served by the division of child support (DCS) that can become an enforceable order for support, pursuant to RCW
74.20A.056.
(2) The NFPR differs from a notice and finding of financial responsibility (NFFR) (see WAC
388-14A-3115) because the parties may request genetic testing to contest paternity after being served with a NFPR.
(3) DCS serves a NFPR when:
(a) An affidavit acknowledging paternity is on file with the center for health statistics and was filed before July 1, 1997; or
(b) An affidavit acknowledging paternity is on file with the vital records agency of another state and the laws of that state allow the parents to withdraw the affidavit or challenge paternity.
(4) DCS attaches a copy of the acknowledgment of paternity or certification of birth record information to the NFPR.
(5) The NFPR advises the noncustodial parent (NCP) and the custodial parent (who is either the mother or the physical custodian of the child) of the support obligation for the child or children named in the notice. The NFPR fully and fairly advises the parents of their rights and responsibilities under the NFPR. The NFPR warns the NCP and the custodial parent (CP) that at an administrative hearing on the notice, the administrative law judge (ALJ) may set the support obligation in an amount higher or lower than, or different from, the amount stated in the NFPR, if necessary for an accurate support order.
(7) The NFPR includes a provision that both parents are obligated to provide medical support, pursuant to RCW
26.09.105,
26.18.170 and
26.23.050. This requirement does not apply to the custodial parent when the custodial parent is not one of the parents of the child covered by the order.
(8) The NFPR includes a provision that apportions the share of uninsured medical expenses to both the mother and the father, pursuant to RCW
26.09.105,
26.18.170 and
26.23.050.
(9) The NFPR may include an obligation for the noncustodial parent to contribute his or her proportionate share of the cost of day care expenses or childcare, which may be stated either as a sum certain amount per month, or as a proportion of the expenses incurred by the custodial parent.
(10) DCS may not assess an accrued support debt for a period longer than five years before the NFPR is served. This limitation does not apply to the extent that the NCP hid or left the state of Washington for the purpose of avoiding service.
(11) As provided in WAC
388-14A-3125, DCS may serve a notice and finding of parental responsibility that can become an enforceable order for support to establish and enforce a health insurance obligation. This type of NFPR is called a "medical support only" NFPR.
(12) DCS uses a medical support only NFPR when the custodial parent has requested medical support enforcement services only and has asked DCS in writing not to collect monetary child support.
(13) A medical support only NFPR does not include a monthly financial support obligation, but may include:
(a) An obligation to pay a monthly payment toward the premium paid by the CP or the state for health insurance coverage for the child(ren); and
(b) An obligation to pay a proportionate share of the child(ren)'s uninsured medical expenses.
(14) An administrative order resulting from a medical support only NFPR may later be modified to include a monthly financial support obligation, as provided in WAC
388-14A-3925(2).
(15) After service of the NFPR, the NCP and the CP must notify DCS of any change of address, or of any changes that may affect the support obligation.
(16) The NCP must make all support payments to the Washington state support registry after service of the NFPR. DCS does not give the NCP credit for payments made to any other party after service of the NFPR, except as provided by
388-14A-3375.
(17) DCS may take immediate wage withholding action and enforcement action without further notice under chapters
26.18, 26.23, and
74.20A RCW when the NFPR is a final order. See WAC
388-14A-3110 for when the notice becomes a final order.
(18) In most cases, a child support obligation continues until the child reaches the age of eighteen. WAC
388-14A-3810 describes when the obligation under the NFPR can end sooner or later than age eighteen.
(19) Either the NCP, or the mother, if she is also the CP, may request genetic tests. A mother who is not the CP may at any time request that DCS refer the case for paternity establishment in the superior court.
(20) DCS does not stop enforcement of the order unless DCS receives a timely request for hearing or a timely request for genetic tests. See WAC
388-14A-3110 for time limits. DCS does not refund any money collected under the notice if the NCP is later:
(a) Excluded from being the father by genetic tests; or
(b) Found not to be the father by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(21) If the NCP requested genetic tests and was not excluded as the father, he may request within twenty days from the date of service of the genetic tests in Washington, or sixty days from the date of service of the genetic tests outside of Washington:
(a) A hearing on the NFPR.
(b) That DCS initiate a parentage action in superior court under chapter
26.26 RCW.
(22) If the NCP was not excluded as the father, the CP (or the mother, if she is also the CP), may within twenty days of the date of service of the genetic tests request:
(a) A hearing on the NFPR; or
(b) That DCS initiate a parentage action in superior court under chapter
26.26 RCW.
(23) If the NCP is excluded by genetic testing, DCS may refer the case for paternity establishment in the superior court.
(24) A hearing on a NFPR is for the limited purpose of resolving the NCP's current support obligation, accrued support debt and amount of reimbursement to DCS for paternity-related costs. The hearing is not for the purpose of setting a payment schedule on the support debt. The NCP has the burden of proving any defenses to liability.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
26.09.105(17),
26.18.170(19),
26.23.050(8),
26.23.110(14),
34.05.020,
34.05.060,
34.05.220,
74.08.090,
74.20.040,
74.20A.055(9), and
74.20A.056(11). WSR 11-12-006, § 388-14A-3120, filed 5/19/11, effective 6/19/11. Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. WSR 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3120, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
34.05.220(1),
74.08.090,
74.20A.160. WSR 06-09-015, § 388-14A-3120, filed 4/10/06, effective 5/11/06. Statutory Authority: RCW
26.26.315,
26.26.320,
26.26.330,
26.26.335,
34.05.220(1),
74.08.090,
74.20A.055,
74.20A.056,
74.20A.310. WSR 05-12-136, § 388-14A-3120, filed 6/1/05, effective 7/2/05. 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-3120, 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 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3120, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-290.]
