Fla. Admin. Code R. 12E-1.030 (2026)

_{(1)Introduction. Section409.2563, F.S., authorizesthe Department to administratively establish child support obligations when itis providingservices under TitleIV-D oftheSocial SecurityAct.}

_{(2)Definitions. For purposesof this rule:}

_{(a) “Address ofrecord” means the addressto which alladministrative proposed orders,final orders, and other noticesaremailed. The addressof record is established as the activemailingor residential address maintained for thepartybytheDepartment that is listed on theinitial notice that is served on the respondent. If thepartyprovides anew address in writingafter serviceof the initial notice, the newaddress is designated theaddress ofrecord and allsubsequent documents associated with the administrativeproceedingaction willbemailed to that address.}

_{(b) “AdministrativeSupport Order,”as defined bySection 409.2563(1)(a)F.S., is also referred toas “Final AdministrativeSupport Order,” or“Final Order” andmayincludepayment ofnoncovered medical expenses.}

_{(c)“Amended ProposedAdministrativeSupport Order,”or “Amended Proposed Order”is a modified Proposed Orderissued bythe Department to correctan erroror reflect newinformation} that changes the terms of the original or subsequent Proposed Order.

_{(d) “Emancipated”meansthe status of aminor childwho has become anadulton reaching 18years of age, byorderof the court, bymarriage,or byother means provided bylaw.}

_{(e)“Income deductionorder”means an administrativefinalorderrendered bythe Department directinganemployerorotherpayorof income to deduct support paymentsfrom the incomeof aparentwho is ordered to paysupport.}

_{(f)“Legalservices provider”means aprogram attorneyas defined inSection 409.2554(10), F.S.}

_{(g) “Long-arm jurisdiction”refers to the conditions listed in Sections 48.193(1)(a) and 88.2011, F.S., that allow theDepartment to assert personal jurisdiction overa respondent who does notreside in Florida.}

_{(h) “Noticeof Proceedingto Establish an AdministrativeSupport Order,”or “Initial Notice” means the noticeservedonthe respondent that states the Department has started aproceedingto establish an administrativesupport order.}

_{(i) “Petitioner,”or“petitioningparent”means theparentorcaregiver withwhom the child resides.}

_{(j) “Public assistance”means temporarycashassistance, foodassistance,Medicaid, or any combination thereof.}

_{(k) “Respondent”meansthe parent from whom theDepartment isseeking support.}

_{(3)CaseSelection Criteria.}

_{(a)Asallowed bySection409.2563 (2)(c), F.S., theDepartment is authorized to establisha support obligation administratively.}

_{(b)TheDepartment does not establish an administrativesupport obligationwhen:}

1. The child is in foster care,

_{2. Thereisacourt orderof support forapayee with whom the child no longer resides,}

_{3. TheDepartment doesnot have an active residentialormailingaddress for the respondent,}

_{4. Thereis acourt order thatonlyaddresses healthcareinsuranceor noncovered medical expenses,}

_{5. Thereisacourt order thatestablishesan ongoingsupport obligation, aretroactivesupport amount, orreserves jurisdictionto establish asupport obligation,}

_{6.InaccordancewithSection 409.2579(4), F.S., the Department has reasonto believethat the disclosureof informationon the whereabouts of onepartyor thechild to anotherperson may resultin physical or emotional harm to thepartyorthe child,}

_{7. Either parent is aminor,or}

_{8. Therespondentdoes notreside in Floridaand long-arm jurisdiction is notapplicable.}

_{(4)ObtainingCooperation from the Petitioner.}

_{(a)Ifacaseis eligiblefor establishment ofan administrativesupportorder theDepartment mustobtain cooperationfrom thepetitionerbefore servingnoticeon therespondent. To obtain cooperation, the Department mailsthe petitioner Form CS-ES96, Request forInformation Administrative Support Action, incorporated herein by reference, effective 11/20, (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12344); the Financial AffidavitAdministrativeProceeding(CS-OA11); the ParentInformationForm(CS-OA12); and the Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan (CS-OA250), except as provided by paragraph (6)(a). Forms CS-OA11 and CS-OA12 are incorporated by referenceinRule 12E-1.036, F.A.C. Form CS-OA250 is available at} floridarevenue.com/childsupport/parenting_time_plans. _{Thepetitioner has20 daysafter themailingdateof the formsto complete and return them. If the action was requested by another state’s Title IV-D agency, the petitioner has 45 days after the mailing date of the forms to complete and return them.}

_{(b)If thepetitioner returns the forms timely, theDepartmentshallproceed to servethe} respondent with an Initial Notice as described in subsection (5) below.

_{(c)Ifthe forms arenot returned timely, the Departmentshallinitiate case closurefor petitioners not receivingpublic assistance. For petitionersreceivingMedicaid or food assistance, the Department shallreport noncooperationto the Department of ChildrenandFamiliesas required bysection 409.2572 F.S.,and initiate caseclosure.If thepetitioneris receiving temporarycashassistanceforthechild, the Departmentshallprepare afinancial affidavitforthe petitioner as authorized bySection 61.30(15)F.S.}

_{(5)Initial Notice.}

_{(a)TheDepartmentuses Form CS-OA01,Noticeof Proceeding to Establish AdministrativeSupport Order (incorporated by reference in Rule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.), to inform therespondent that theDepartment has initiated an administrative proceedingto establish asupport obligation. This notice isreferred toas the“Initial Notice.”}

_{1. Alongwith theInitialNotice, the Department shallprovidethe respondentwith the followingdocuments:}

_{a. Financial AffidavitAdministrativeSupport Proceeding(CS-OA11),}

_{b. ParentInformation Form AdministrativeSupport Proceeding(CS-OA12); and,}

_{c. Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan (CS-OA250), except as provided by paragraph (6)(a).}

_{2. TheDepartmentshallmail thepetitioner a copyof theInitial Noticeprovided to the respondent, alongwith Form CS-OA06, Noticeto Parent or Caregiverof AdministrativeProceeding (incorporated by reference in Rule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.).}

_{(b)TheDepartmentis authorized to servetheInitial Notice as provided bySection 409.2563(4), F.S. TheDepartment considers theInitial Noticeto be properlyservedif:}

_{1. Someoneotherthan the respondent signs thecertified mailreceiptand the Department confirmswith therespondentbytelephoneor in-person that the respondentreceived theInitial} Notice,

_{2. Thesignatureon thecertified mail receiptis illegible, but theDepartment confirms it is the respondent’s bycomparingit toanothersourcesuch as Department of HighwaySafetyand Motor Vehicles DAVIDdatabase, or the Department confirmswith therespondentbytelephone or in-personthat the respondentreceived theInitial Notice, or}

_{3. TheDepartmentdoesnot receiveconfirmationof receipt, but therespondentreturns the financial affidavitor other information in responseto theInitial Notice. Serviceis complete if the respondent submits anythingin writingthatshowsthe respondent received theInitial Notice.}

_{(6) Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan.}

_{(a) The Department will provide a Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan, form CS-OA250, to each parent as required by Section 409.25633, F.S., unless:}

_{1. Florida is not the child’s home state,}

_{2. One or both parents do not reside in Florida,}

_{3. Either parent has requested nondisclosure for fear of harm from the other parent,}

_{4. The parent who owes support is incarcerated, or}

_{5. The parent owed support is a caregiver.}

_{(b) If both parents agree to, sign, and return a parenting time plan to the Department before an administrative Final Order is entered, the parenting time plan will be incorporated into the Final Order. Both parents do not need to sign the same form. If the parents have a judicially established parenting time plan, the plan will not be incorporated in the administrative order.}

_{(7) Proceedingin CircuitCourtas an Alternativeto the AdministrativeProcess.}

_{(a)Asallowed bySections409.2563(4)(l) and(m),F.S., the respondent mayfilea support action in circuitcourt and servethe Departmentwith a copyof thepetition. Therespondentmust havethe petition servedon the DeputyAgencyClerkas specified bytheInitial Notice,within 20 daysafter thedate therespondentis served theInitial Notice.If theDepartment is served timely, the administrativeproceedingendsand the caseproceeds in circuitcourt.Iftherespondentfilesa petition in circuitcourt, but does not servethe Department in the 20-daytime frame, the Department will continuewith the administrative establishment proceeding.If thepetition is served on the Department timely, theDepartmentwillmail thepetitioningparentorcaregiver Form CS-OA88, Dismissal of AdministrativeProceeding (incorporated by referenceinRule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.).}

_{(b)RespondentAsks theDepartment to Proceed in CircuitCourt. Therespondentmayask the Department to stop the administrativeproceedingand proceed in circuitcourt. The respondent mustmakethis request in writingand the request must be received bythe Department within 20 daysafter beingserved theInitial Notice.Therequest from the respondent} must state that the respondent requests the Department proceed with the determination of the support _{obligation in circuitcourtor thatthe respondent states his or her intentionsto addresscustody matters or parental rightsissuesin circuitcourt. Oral requestsarenot accepted.If therespondent files atimelyrequest forthe Department to fileanaction in circuitcourt,theDepartmentwill send the respondent Form CS-OA247, Request forCourt Action Status Update (incorporated byreference inRule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.). TheDepartment sends thepetitioning parent Form CS-OA248, Noticeof CourtAction Financial AffidavitNeeded for Court (incorporated byreferencein Rule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.). TheDepartment then sends the petitioningparent Form CS-PO31,Family LawFinancial Affidavit (incorporated byreference, inRule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.). When the petitioningparent returns the CS-PO31, the Departmentwillfileapetition withthe clerk ofcourt to determinethe support obligation and obtain acivil casenumber.Ifthe petitioningparent does notreturn the CS-PO31, the Department shallinitiate case closure if thepetitioningparent is not receivingpublic assistance.If thepetitioningparent isreceivingMedicaid or food assistance,the Department shallreport noncooperationto the Department ofChildren and Familiesasrequired bySection 409.2572, F.S., and initiate caseclosure.Ifthe petitioningparent is receivingtemporarycash assistanceforthe child, the Department shall prepareafinancial affidavit for theotherparentas authorized bySection 61.30(15), F.S.}

_{(c)When the Departmentreceives astampedcopyof thepetition back fromthe clerk, it sends a copyof thepetition to therespondent bycertified mail, returnreceipt requested. Along with the copyof thepetition, theDepartmentsends Form CS-OA18, Noticeof Commencement ofAction and Request forWaiverof Serviceof Process AdministrativePaternityProceeding(incorporated byreferenceinRule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.). TheDepartmentalso} sends two copies of Form CS-OA19, Waiver of Service of Process (incorporated _{byreference inRule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.).If therespondentis represented by an attorney, the Departmentsends thepacket of formsand petition to therespondent’s attorney. The respondent has 10 daysfrom thereceiptof theseforms to sign and completeone copyof the CS-OA19 and return it tothe Department.If theDepartment does not receivethe signed completed CS-OA19 within10 days, itproceedswith the establishment of the supportobligation administratively. TheDepartment will also file avoluntarydismissal of the civil casewith the clerk ofcourt and mail acopyof thevoluntarydismissal to therespondent. Ifthe respondent completes and returns the CS-OA19 within 10 days, the Departmentsendsthe petitioner the Dismissal of AdministrativeProceedingCS-OA88form. TheDepartment will then end the administrativeproceedingand proceed in circuit court.}

_{(8)Proposed AdministrativeSupport Order.}

_{(a)After theDepartmentserves the respondent with theInitial Noticein accordancewith paragraph (5)(b), nosooner than 20 daysafterservice, theDepartment shall calculate the respondent’s support obligationusingthe child supportguidelines in Section 61.30, F.S.Ifthe respondent does notprovide financial information within the timerequired bySections 409.2563(13)(a) and (b),F.S., the Department shallimpute income as provided bySection 61.30(2)(b) or 409.2563(5), F.S., as applicable.}

_{(b)Calculation of therespondent’sretroactivesupport obligationshallbein accordancewith Section 61.30(17),F.S. Retroactivesupportshallbe addressedin an initial determination ofchild support.}

_{(c)TheDepartment shall prepareForm CS-OA20, ProposedAdministrative PaternityandSupport Order (incorporated byreferencein Rule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.), whichfor purposes of this rule} is entitled Proposed Administrative Support Order, that establishes the terms of the support _{obligation and includes,at a minimum, allelements contained inSection 409.2563(7)(e), F.S. TheDepartmentshallmailthe Proposed Order to therespondentbyregularmailto the respondent’s address ofrecord. TheProposed Order shallincludeanoticeof rights thatinforms the respondent of theright to an informal discussion with theDepartment,the right toaformal administrative hearing, andthe right to consent to the entryof anAdministrativeSupportOrder.Copies ofthe child support guidelines worksheet prepared bytheDepartment and the financial affidavit submitted bythe otherparentaremailedwiththe Proposed Order.TheDepartment shallprovidea copyof theProposed Order and itsattachments to thepetitioner atthe petitioner’s address ofrecord.}

_{(d)TheProposedOrdermustinclude an explanation of anydeviations from theguidelines the Departmentconsideredwhen calculatingthe support obligationand anyretroactivesupport owed.}

_{(e) Except as provided by paragraph (6)(a), a blank Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan} is included with Form CS-OA20 when the parents do not provide a parenting time plan of their own or do not agree to the Title IV-D Standard Parenting Time Plan.

_{(f)Ifadditional facts or information becomeavailable to theDepartment thatmateriallychangesthe Proposed Order, theDepartment shallprepare an amended Proposed Administrative Paternity and Support Order, using Form CS-OA20 (from now onreferred to as theAmended Proposed Order).An Amended Proposed Order shallincludeguidelineworksheets to explain the changes and the requirements established inSection 409.2563(5)(a), F.S. TheDepartmentdoes not amend the Proposed Order if the additionalfacts or information become available after the respondenthas requestedan administrative hearing. Anyadditional facts or informationare addressed at the hearing.}

_{(9)Informal Discussions.}

_{(a)Therespondent mayask the Department to informallydiscuss theproposed orderas} authorized by Section 409.2563(5)(c)5., F.S.

_{(b)If therespondentasks for an informal discussionwithin 10 daysofthe date the Department mailed the Proposed Order, the Departmentshallextend thetime limitforthe respondent to requestahearing. TheDepartmentshallextend thetime limitto 10 days from the date theDepartmentnotifiesthe respondentthe informal discussions haveended. The Department willuse Form CS-OA32,Noticeof Conclusion ofInformal Discussion Administrative Paternity Proceeding (incorporated by reference in Rule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.), to inform the respondent the informal discussions haveended. Thedeadlinefor askingfor an administrativehearingwillnotoccur before20 days from thedate theDepartment mailed the Proposed Order tothe respondent regardless of when theinformal discussionshaveended.}

_{(c)Therespondent maycontact theDepartment to discuss the caseat anytime, however, contact outsidethe timeframe referenced in paragraph(9)(b),does not extend the timetorequest ahearing.Ifthe respondentasks the Department for an informal discussionoutsideof thetime frame referenced above, theDepartmentshallsendthe respondent Form CS-OA35,NoticeofLate Request for Informal Discussion AdministrativeProceeding (incorporated by referencein Rule 12E-1.036, F.A.C.),and informthe respondentthat theDepartment will discuss theProposed Order withthe respondent, but will notextend thetimeto request an administrativehearing.}

_{(d)Thefollowingtypes of contactdo not constitutearequestforinformal discussion:}

_{1. Therespondenthasgeneral questionsabout theDepartment’s Child Support Programor the respondent’scase,}

_{2. Therespondent’s questions do notaffect the terms of the Proposed Order,}

3. The respondent’s questions are answered during a customer contact, or

_{4. Therespondentprovides new informationbut does not include arequestforinformal discussion.}

_{(e)Ifthe respondentdoesnotappearfor anappointment orrescheduleamissed appointment to discuss theProposed Order, the timeto request an administrativehearingisnot extended.}

_{(f) At the endof theinformal discussion, theDepartmentshallmail the respondent Form CS‑OA32, Notice of Conclusion ofInformal Discussion Administrative Paternity Proceeding.}

_{(10)Request forAdministrativeHearing.}

_{(a) To request anadministrativehearing, therespondentmustsubmitawritten request to the Department’sDeputyAgencyClerk at theaddressprovided in theProposed Order.}