WAC 388-14A-3133. What happens when the noncustodial parent and the custodial parent both appear for the hearing?

If both parents appear at the hearing: (1) All parties may enter an agreed settlement or consent order. WAC 388-14A-3600 describes when an agreed settlement or consent order is a final order. (2) All parties may proceed to hearing, after which the ALJ issues an order. The ALJ may enter an order setting an obligation which is higher or lower, or different from, the terms set forth in the notice, if necessary for an accurate support order. See WAC 388-14A-6110 and 388-14A-6115 to determine whether the ALJ issues an initial order or a final order. (3) In a hearing under this section, the division of child support (DCS) proceeds first to document the support amount that DCS believes to be correct. Following DCS' presentation, the custodial parent (CP) and the noncustodial parent (NCP) may proceed in turn to show why the DCS position is wrong.