OAR 137-055-7180: Determining Controlling Order

(1) The administrator will determine a single controlling order when: (a) Services are being provided under ORS 25.080 and two or more child support orders have been issued regarding the same obligor, child and obligee; or (b) A party or other jurisdiction requests a determination. (2) For purposes of this rule, any order modified or issued after October 20, 1994 (the effective date of the Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act, 28 USC 1738B), will be interpreted as a modification of all orders issued prior to October 20, 1994, unless: (a) The tribunal entering the order did not have jurisdiction to do so; or (b) A party alleges the tribunal lacked personal or subject matter jurisdiction. (3) When a request for a controlling order determination is received from another jurisdiction, the request is considered “filed with the appropriate tribunal” as required by 45 CFR 303.7(d)(5) when the administrator receives all documents necessary to perform the determination. (4) The administrator will determine the controlling order and issue an order setting out the determination. The order is an order in an other than contested case proceeding under ORS chapter 183. The order will be served upon the parties by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any other mail service with delivery confirmation, at the last known address of the parties. The order must include: (a) The basis for personal jurisdiction over the parties; (b) The names of the parties and the child for whom support was ordered; (c) A statement of each child support order which was considered, the jurisdiction which issued the order and the date of the order; (d) A statement identifying the order the administrator determines is the controlling order and why; (e) A statement that the controlling order determination is effective the date the order is issued by the administrator; (f) The amount of prospective support, if any; (g) The total amount of consolidated arrears and accrued interest, if any, under all of the orders after all payments made are credited as provided by ORS 110.537. (h) A reference to ORS 110.533; (i) A notice that a party may submit further information and petition the administrator for reconsideration of the order within 60 days of the date of the order; (j) A notice that OAR 137-004-0080 applies to any petition for reconsideration; and (k) A notice that a party may appeal the order as provided by ORS 183.484. (5) If the administrator determines that no tribunal has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under ORS chapter 110, the administrator will notify the parties and establish a new child support order. (6) For the purposes of determining the Oregon county in which the administrator may enter the order determining the controlling order, the following provisions apply: (a) If one or more Oregon court files exist for the same obligor and child, the order will be entered in each existing court file; (b) If an Oregon court file does not exist, the administrator will enter the documents required by ORS 25.529 in the circuit court in the county where the party who lives in Oregon resides. (7) Within 30 days after the determination of controlling order is issued, the administrator will certify copies of the order determining the controlling order and file one with each tribunal that issued or registered an earlier order of child support. (8) Upon written receipt of an order determining the controlling order that a tribunal of this or another jurisdiction properly issued, the administrator will: (a) Adjust the Oregon case record to cease prospective accrual on any non-controlling order and initiate accrual on any controlling order which was issued or registered by an Oregon tribunal on the date specified in the order determining controlling order or, when not specified, in accordance with OAR 137-055-5040; and (b) When one of the non-controlling orders was issued by an Oregon tribunal, ensure that the order determining the controlling order is entered in the Oregon circuit court for the county which issued or entered the prior order.