40-5-253. Administrative findings and order -- administrative remedies -- judicial review. (1) It is the intent of this part that administrative findings and orders be subject to judicial review, but administrative remedies must be exhausted prior to judicial review. The administrative procedures described in this part are subject to review in the appropriate district court. Except as provided in subsections (3) through (5), the review must be conducted pursuant to the Montana Administrative Procedure Act. Upon a showing by the department that administrative remedies have not been exhausted, the district court shall refuse review until the remedies are exhausted.

(2) This part may not be construed to abridge or in any way affect the obligor's right to counsel during any and all judicial or administrative proceedings pursuant to this part.

(3) A petition for judicial review is an original action and may not be filed under a preexisting cause number or joined with any other action.

(4) A summons must be issued and served under Rule 4, Montana Rules of Civil Procedure, upon the child support enforcement division of the department and each party, along with the petition for judicial review. The division may be served through any of its employees. The district court does not obtain jurisdiction unless the petition for judicial review is served on all parties within 30 days after the petition is filed with the district court.

(5) The district court shall set a briefing schedule for a petition for judicial review. A reference in a brief to the administrative record must be to a particular part of the record, suitably designated, and to specific pages of that part of the record. Intelligible abbreviations may be used. A reference to an exhibit must be to the pages of the transcript on which the exhibit is identified, offered in evidence, and received or rejected. After briefs have been filed and upon motion of a party, the district court may order oral argument.