Rains v. Department of Social & Health Services

Sonia Berman Rains and Rufus Dean Rains, both American citizens, were married in Italy in 1970 and adopted twin daughters in 1972. When the couple separated in 1977, a consensual separation agreement was entered in Catania, Sicily, and Mr. Rains was ordered to pay child support. Italian courts subsequently entered several other orders related to child support. Mr. Rains returned to the United States in 1990. Four years later, at Ms. Rains’ request, the Washington Division of Child Support (hereinafter DCS) commenced administrative proceedings to enforce the most recent Italian support order…