Court Opinion

ID: 4283478
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-06-11 20:54:41.858562+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:11.686925
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

AMIN KHANOF,                                    No. 76300-8-1

                         Appellant,             DIVISION ONE

                    V.

STATE OF WASHINGTON,                            UNPUBLISHED OPINION
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL &
HEALTH SERVICES,

                         Respondent.            FILED: June 11,2018

      SCHINDLER, J. — Amin Khanof, representing himself pro se, appeals the

administrative order requiring him to pay current and future child support and back child

support. Khanof argues the administrative law judge erred by imputing income and

ordering Khanof to pay back child support. Because substantial evidence supports the

order, we affirm.

TANF and Child Support Obligation

       Amin Khanof and Maryam Javan were married on June 9, 2010. Javan gave

birth to their child on March 17, 2012. Khanof and Javan separated in January 2014.

Javan obtained an order of protection. Beginning January 22, 2014, Javan received

"Temporary Assistance for Needy Families"(TANF). The receipt of TANF results in an
No. 76300-8-1/2

automatic assignment to the state of any rights to the support obligation of Khanof.1

The Department of Social and Health Services Division of Child Support(DCS)is

responsible for initiating child support enforcement.2

       On February 6, 2014, DCS designated the enforcement action as"Good Cause

Level A." Good Cause Level A means DCS cannot proceed with enforcement because

of a risk of danger to Javan or the child and must close the case.3

       On March 25, 2014, Khanof and Javan reconciled and resumed living together.

On March 4, 2015, Javan filed a petition for dissolution of the marriage and an order of

protection.

       In late October 2015, DCS changed the enforcement action designation to "Good

Cause Level B." Good Cause Level B means DCS could proceed with child support

enforcement without the cooperation of Javan.4 On November 16,2015, DCS mailed

Khanof a letter informing him of the enforcement action. On December 24, DCS served

Khanof with a "Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility." The Notice states

Khanof owes $427.00 for ongoing monthly current child support and $9,531.70 for back

child support.

       Khanof timely objected to the Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility and

requested an administrative hearing. Khanof argued the amount of child support was

incorrect because he was not currently working. Khanof also argued he should not be

responsible for back child support for the period of time that Javan received TANF.

      1 RCW 74.20.330(1); WAC 388-14A-2005.
      2 WAC 388-14A-2005(1).
      'WAC 388-14A-2060(1)(a).
      4 WAC 388-14A-2060(1)(b).

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No. 76300-8-1/3

Administrative Appeal

      An administrative law judge(AU)held a hearing on March 2,2016. Khanof and

Javan testified. DCS claims officer Paul Piguet testified. DCS conceded it did not take

reasonable steps to locate Khanof between October 28,2015 and November 15, 2015.

      On March 14, the AU issued a final order. The AU ordered Khanof to pay

current and future child support of $331.00 a month. The AU ordered Khanof to pay

$4,622.87 in back child support from January 22, 2014 through March 24, 2014 and

from March 5,2015 through February 29, 2016.

      The AU entered findings of fact on the income and circumstances of Khanof and

Javan.

              Mr. Khanofs income and circumstances: Mr. Khanof, age 34,
              born June 15, 1981, is currently employed part-time as a veterinary
              technician, earning $14.00 per hour. Prior to coming to the United
              States four years ago, Mr. Khanof was a licensed veterinarian and
              had his own veterinary clinic. Since he has moved to the United
              States, he has received certification as a veterinary technician. He
              is able to work at research facilities and university laboratories, but
              is not a licensed veterinarian. Mr. Khanof does not have any
              disabilities that interfere with his ability to work full-time. Therefore,
              Mr. Khanofs monthly gross income is imputed to $2,426.66, which
              represents monthly full-time earnings at $14.00 per hour.

              Ms. Javan's Income and circumstances: Ms. Javan, age 42,
              born August 11, 1973, is currently unemployed. She lost her job as
              a child care worker on the day of the hearing due to her numerous
              court dates. Ms. Javan has no physical limitations impacting her
              ability to work. Her highest level of education is a Master's of
              Science in family psychology. Other than her job as a child care
              worker, Ms. Javan has never worked. Ms. Javan's income is
              Imputed to $1641.00 gross monthly wage, which represents
              monthly full-time minimum wage earnings.i51

      The AU concluded DCS could collect back child support for the period of time

that Javan received TANF and Khanof lived outside the home. The AU also accepted

       5 Footnote   omitted; boldface in original.
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No. 76300-8-1/4

the concession of DCS that it could not collect for the time period from October 28, 2015

through November 15,2015 because it did not make reasonable efforts to locate

Khanof.6

       Khanof filed a petition for review to the superior court. The court affirmed the

final order of the AU but modified the period of time DOS could not collect back child

support to October 22, 2015 through December 24,2015. The superior court concluded

RCW 26.19.071(6) allows income to be imputed to Javan and Khanof. Representing

himself pro se, Khanof appeals.

Standard of Review

       The Washington Administrative Procedure Act(WAPA), chapter 34.05 RCW,

governs our review of administrative actions. RCW 34.05.570(1); Cornelius v. Deal of

Ecology, 182 Wn.2d 574, 584-85, 344 P.3d 199(2015). We sit in the same position as

the superior court and do not defer to the rulings of the superior court. Darkenwald v.

Emp't Sec. Dep't, 183 Wn.2d 237, 244, 350 P.3d 647(2015). We review the agency's

decision by applying the standards set out In RCW 34.05.570 directly to the

administrative record. Postema v. Pollution Control Nags Bd., 142 Wn.2d 68, 77, 11

P.3d 726(2000). We may reverse the decision of the agency where the agency

erroneously applied the law, its order is not supported by substantial evidence, or the

decision is arbitrary and capricious. RCW 34.05.570(3)(d),(e), (i); Postema, 142 Wn.2d

at 77. The party asserting the order is invalid has the burden of demonstrating the

Invalidity. RCW 34.05.570(1)(a); Stewart v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 162 Wn.

App. 266, 270,252 P.3d 920(2011).

       6 DCS does not lose the right to reimbursement for any period of time during which DCS
exercised reasonable efforts to find the noncustodial parent. WAC 388-14A-3350(6)(d)(1).
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No. 76300-8-115

       We review the agency's findings for substantial evidence. RCW 34.05.570(3)(e);

Raven v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 177 Wn.2d 804, 817, 306 P.3d 920(2013).

Evidence is substantial where it is sufficient to persuade a fair-minded person of the

truth of the premise. Raven, 177 Wn.2d at 817. "Unchallenged factual findings are

verities on appeal." Life Care Ctrs of Am., Inc. v. Devi of Soc. & Health Servs., 162

Wn. App. 370, 374, 254 P.3d 919(2011).

Issues Raised for the First Time on Appeal

       Pro se litigants are held to the same standards as attorneys and are bound by

the same rules of procedure and substantive law. In re Marriage of Olson 69 Wn. App.

621,626,850 P.2d 527(1993); Westbero v. All-Purpose Structures, Inc., 86 Wn. App.

405,411,936 P.2d 1175(1997). We have "no obligation to grant special favors to ... a

pro se litigant." Olson,69 Wn. App. at 626.

       Under WAPA, u[i]ssues not raised before the agency may not be raised on

appeal." RCW 34.05.554(1); Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity v. Wash. State Univ. 152

Wn.App. 401,420, 216 P.3d 451 (2009). Khanof argues that because Javan agreed to

sponsor him when he emigrated from Iran, she is obligated to support him. Because

Khanof did not raise this argument in the administrative appeal, we do not address it.

       Khanof argues the AUJ erred by failing to consider payments he made to Javan

for child support. Because Khanof does not support this with citation to the record or

authority, we decline to consider it. Under RAP 10.3(a)(6), the appellant must provide

"citations to legal authority and references to relevant parts of the record." "Passing

treatment of an issue or lack of reasoned argument is insufficient to merit judicial

consideration." Holland v. City of Tacoma 90 Wn.App. 533, 538,954 P.2d 290(1998).

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No. 76300-8-1/6

Imputed Income

      Khanof challenges the amount of income the AU imputed to him and to Javan.

Because he was studying to obtain his veterinary license, Khanof asserts the AU erred

in concluding he is voluntarily underemployed. Khanof asserts the AU did not consider

Javan's educational background and previous income in imputing minimum wage

income to her.

      A custodial parent receiving public assistance on behalf of a minor child assigns

the right to receive child support to the state. RCW 74.20.330(1); WAC 388-14A-2005,

-2036. DCS provides child support enforcement services to the family on behalf of the

state. WAG 388-14A-1000(1), -2005. The uniform child support schedule applies in all

judicial or administrative proceedings that determine or modify child support. RCW

26.19.035(1)(b),(c); In re Marriage of Brockopp, 78 Wn. App. 441,445, 898 P.2d 849

(1995).

      To determine a parent's child support obligation, the court must consider all

Income and resources of each parent's household. RCW 26.19.071(1). If a parent is

"voluntarily unemployed or voluntarily underemployed," the court must impute income to

the parent. RCW 26.19.071(6). The court determines whether a parent is "voluntarily

underemployed or voluntarily unemployed" by looking at "that parent's work history,

education, health, and age, or any other relevant factors." RCW 26.19.071(6). In

imputing income, the court looks at "the level of employment'at which the parent is

capable and qualified.'" In re Marriage of Schumacher, 100 Wn.App. 208, 215,997

P.2d 399(2000)(quoting In re Marriage of Sacco, 114 Wn.2d 1, 4, 784 P.2d 1266

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No. 76300-8-1/7

(1990)). The court must not impute income to a parent "who is gainfully employed on a

full-time basis" or a parent who is "unemployable." RCW 26.19.071(6).

       RCW 26.19.071(6)sets out the wage the court should use to impute income:

      In the absence of records of a parent's actual earnings, the court shall
      impute a parent's income in the following order of priority:
             (a) Full-time earnings at the current rate of pay;
             (b) Full-time earnings at the historical rate of pay based on reliable
      Information, such as employment security department data;
             (c) Full-time earnings at a past rate of pay where information is
      incomplete or sporadic;
             (d) Full-time earnings at minimum wage in the jurisdiction where
      the parent resides if the parent has a recent history of minimum wage
      earnings, is recently coming off public assistance, aged, blind, or disabled
      assistance benefits, pregnant women assistance benefits, essential needs
      and housing support, supplemental security income, or disability, has
      recently been released from incarceration, or is a high school student;
             (e) Median net monthly income of year-round full-time workers as
      derived from the United States bureau of census, current population
      reports, or such replacement report as published by the bureau of census.

       Substantial evidence supports the AU findings on Khanofs income and financial

situation and that he was voluntarily underemployed. Khanof was a licensed

veterinarian in Iran and was studying to become licensed in the United States. Khanof

testified that he worked about 10 to 12 hours per week as a veterinary technician

earning $14 per hour. Khanof stated he was looking for additional work. Khanof did not

present evidence that he was unable to work full time. The AU did not err by imputing

full-time income to Khanof at his current $14 per hour rate of pay.

       Javan testified she has a master's degree in family psychology. But work

records from the Employment Security Department showed Javan had limited work

experience outside the home. According to the Employment Security Department,

Javan last worked in the second quarter of 2015. During that time period, Javan earned

$959.75 for 87 hours of work.

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No. 76300-6-1/6

      At the March 2,2016 hearing, Javan testified she had been employed recently as

a preschool teacher. Javan testified that because court appearances caused her to

miss too many days of work, she was no longer employed at that job. No evidence was

presented about the wage Javan earned as a preschool teacher. Javan testified that

before working as a preschool teacher, she was primarily a full-time mother and worked

at the YMCA about two to three hours per day.

      The AU imputed income at full-time minimum wage to Javan. RCW

29.19.071(6)(d) permits a court to impute income at minimum wage if the parent "is

recently coming off public assistance." Because Javan received TANF until January 31,

2016 and the evidence shows Javan lost her job as a preschool teacher, substantial

evidence supports the AL's income and financial circumstances findings and the

decision to impute income to Javan at minimum wage.

Back Child Support

       Khanof argues the AU erred by ordering him to pay back child support for the

period of time when the case was designated Good Cause Level A. Khanof contends

DCS cannot collect more than 60 days of back child support.

       Khanof asserts the 60-day rule prohibits DCS from collecting more than 60 days

of back child support. RCW 74.20A.055(2) does not support this argument. The 60-day

rule permits DCS to collect back child support for the periods of time when Khanof lived

outside of the home and Javan received TANF,so long as the case was in Good Cause

Level A or DCS took reasonable efforts to locate Khanof.

       Under RCW 74.20A.055(1), the secretary of the Department of Social and Health

Services (Department) may serve a Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility on

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No. 76300-8-1/9

the responsible parent where there is no order establishing the parent's support

obligation. The Notice and Finding of Financial Responsibility relates both to child

support debt already accrued and periodic payments to be made in the future. RCW

74.20A.055(1). The Department must serve the Notice and Finding of Financial

Responsibility on the responsible parent within 60 days from the date the state assumes

responsibility for the support of the child. RCW 74.20A.055(2).7

      The 60-day rule does not apply to Good Cause Level A enforcement actions.

WAC 388-14A-3350(7)(a); WAC 388-422-0020(1)(a). "Good Cause Level A" means

"support establishment or enforcement cannot proceed at all because of a risk of

danger to the custodial parent ... or children." WAC 388-14A-2060(1)(a).

       Javan first received TANF on January 22, 2014. DOS designated the

enforcement action Good Cause Level A and closed the case. In late October 2015,

DOS changed the designation to Good Cause Level B. "Good Cause Level B" means

"support establishment or enforcement can proceed without" the custodial parent's

cooperation "but good cause exists" for the custodial parent "not to cooperate with

DCS." WAC 388-14A-2060(1)(b). In mid-November 2015, DOS mailed the Notice and

Finding of Financial Responsibility to Khanof.

       1 RCW 74.20A.055(2)further      provides:
       If the notice Is not served within sixty days from such date, the department shall lose the
       right to reimbursement of payments made after the sixty-day period and before the date
       of notification: PROVIDED,That if the department exercises reasonable efforts to locate
       the debtor and is unable to do so the entire sixty-day period is tolled until such time as
       the debtor can be located.
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No. 76300-8-1/10

      We conclude the AU did not err in ordering Khanof to pay back child support for

the periods of time when he lived outside the home. We affirm the order of the AU.

                                            ggluially
WE CONCUR:

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