(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, §§ 46-356.05 through 46-356.08 apply to a contest of a registered Convention support order.
(b) A party contesting a registered Convention support order shall file a contest not later than 30 days after notice of the registration, but if the contesting party does not reside in the United States, the contest must be filed not later than 60 days after notice of the registration.
(c) If the nonregistering party fails to contest the registered Convention support order by the time specified in subsection (b) of this section, the order is enforceable.
(d) A contest of a registered Convention support order may be based only on grounds set forth in § 46-357.08. The contesting party bears the burden of proof.
(e) In a contest of a registered Convention support order, a tribunal of the District:
(1) Is bound by the findings of fact on which the foreign tribunal based its jurisdiction; and
(2) May not review the merits of the order.
(f) A tribunal of the District deciding a contest of a registered Convention support order shall promptly notify the parties of its decision.
(g) A challenge or appeal, if any, does not stay the enforcement of a Convention support order unless there are exceptional circumstances.
(Feb. 27, 2016, D.C. Law 21-73, § 707, 63 DCR 222.)
Structure District of Columbia Code
Chapter 3A - Uniform Interstate Family Support
Subchapter VI - Registration, Enforcement, and Modification of Support Order
Part D - Registration and Modification of Foreign Child-Support Order
§ 46–356.15. Jurisdiction to modify child-support order of foreign country
§ 46–356.16. Procedure to register child-support order of foreign country for modification
§ 46–357.03. Relationship of Office of the Attorney General to United States central authority
§ 46–357.04. Initiation by Office of the Attorney General of support proceeding under Convention
§ 46–357.06. Registration of Convention support order
§ 46–357.07. Contest of registered convention support order
§ 46–357.08. Recognition and enforcement of registered convention support order
§ 46–357.09. Partial enforcement
§ 46–357.10. Foreign support agreement
§ 46–357.11. Modification of convention child-support order
§ 46–357.12. Personal information; limit on use
§ 46–357.13. Record in original language; English translation
§ 46–358.01. Grounds for rendition
§ 46–358.02. Conditions of rendition