§ 46-206 — Service.

(a) In any case brought in Court under § 11-1101(a)(1) , (3) , (10) , or (11) involving the establishment of support, the Clerk of the Court shall issue notice to the alleged responsible relative stating that a hearing to determine the matter of support has been scheduled. This hearing shall be scheduled within 45 days after the date the application is filed.

(b) Personal service of the notice may be made in the following manner:

(1) By delivering a copy of the notice to:

(A) The responsible relative;

(B) A person of suitable age and discretion who resides at the alleged responsible relative’s dwelling house or usual place of abode; or

(C) A person of suitable age and discretion at the alleged responsible relative’s place of employment; or

(2) By mailing the notice to the alleged responsible relative by certified mail, return receipt requested, and also by separate first-class mail. A certified mail notice of the complaint shall be sufficient, although unclaimed or refused by the respondent, when the first-class mail notice is not returned. Service by certified mail that is unclaimed or refused and first-class mail alone shall not be a sufficient basis to permit the entry of a default order of paternity in a case where the respondent fails to file an answer or otherwise fails to respond appropriately. Delivery may be made by a competent adult with no interest in the proceedings.

(c) The notice shall include the following:

(1) The name of the person for whom support is being claimed;

(2) A demand that the alleged responsible relative attend a hearing and the date, time, and place of the hearing;

(3) An explanation of the possible consequences of the alleged responsible relative’s failure to attend the scheduled hearing;

(4) A demand that the alleged responsible relative bring to the hearing any record in the relative’s possession of earnings received in the past 2 years, including receipts for earnings provided by an employer, or any wage and tax statements prepared by an employer setting forth earnings for tax purposes;

(5) A demand that the alleged responsible relative bring to the hearing documentation of the cost, comprehensiveness, and accessibility of any health insurance available to the responsible relative for the child;

(6) Notice that the alleged responsible relative may be represented by counsel at any stage of the proceedings;

(7) An explanation that a request for a continuance may result in the setting of interim support or the posting of collateral; and

(8) A copy of the complaint or petition.

(d) The custodian shall be given a notice containing the provisions outlined in subsection (c) of this section.

(e) Where a party is seeking a modification of a support order:

(1) The Clerk of the Court shall issue notice to the opposing party:

(A) Stating that a hearing to determine the matter of support has been scheduled;

(B) Containing the information stated in subsection (c) of this section; and

(C) Including a copy of the motion for modification;

(2) The hearing shall be scheduled within 45 days after the date the application is filed; and

(3) Personal service on the opposing party may be made in accordance with subsection (b) or (f) of this section.

(f) In any support enforcement action following entry of a support order, upon showing that a diligent effort, which includes more than a search of IV-D agency and Court records, has been made to ascertain the location of a party, the Court shall accept as adequate service on the party delivery by first-class mail of any pleading or notice to the most recent residential or employer address filed by the party with the IV-D agency or the Court pursuant to § 46-226.02 .

Legislative History

Feb. 24, 1987, D.C. Law 6-166, § 7, 33 DCR 6710; Aug. 17, 1991, D.C. Law 9-39, § 4(a), 38 DCR 4970; Apr. 3, 2001, D.C. Law 13-269, § 108(f), 48 DCR 1270; Dec. 7, 2004, D.C. Law 15-205, § 3403(d), 51 DCR 8441; May 12, 2006, D.C. Law 16-100, § 3(e), 53 DCR 1886