The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has the authority to enforce a Washington child support obligation. If there is no child support order, DSHS may serve a notice and a finding of financial responsibility (“NFFR”) on the responsible parent. If the parent objects, the parent’s past liability and responsibility is determined at a hearing. RCW 74.20A.055.
A mother recently challenged an Administrative Law Judge’s denial of her request for child support. The father was ordered to pay $1,794.24 in past due child support when the parents divorced. An amended parenting plan in 2010 awarded custody of both children to the father and gave the mother limited visitation. The court found the mother “may have an adverse effect on the child’s best interests…”
The mother moved for review and adjustment of visitation rights. The court allowed expanded visits and calls, but kept the supervision requirement. In a review in January 2011, the court found she remained “a danger to her children’s safety, health, and welfare.”