1. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a hearing conducted pursuant to NRS 425.382 to 425.3852, inclusive, must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this section by a qualified master appointed pursuant to NRS 425.381.

2. Subpoenas may be issued by:

(a) The master.

(b) The attorney of record for the office.

Obedience to the subpoena may be compelled in the same manner as provided in chapter 22 of NRS. A witness appearing pursuant to a subpoena, other than a party or an officer or employee of the Chief, is entitled to receive the fees and payment for mileage prescribed for a witness in a civil action.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the master need not observe strict rules of evidence but shall apply those rules of evidence prescribed in NRS 233B.123.

4. The affidavit of any party who resides outside of the judicial district is admissible as evidence regarding the duty of support, any arrearages and the establishment of paternity. The master may continue the hearing to allow procedures for discovery regarding any matter set forth in the affidavit.

5. The physical presence of a person seeking the establishment, enforcement, modification or adjustment of an order for the support of a dependent child or the establishment of paternity is not required.

6. A verified petition, an affidavit, a document substantially complying with federally mandated forms and a document incorporated by reference in any of them, not excluded under NRS 51.065 if given in person, is admissible in evidence if given under oath by a party or witness residing outside of the judicial district.

7. A copy of the record of payments for the support of a dependent child, certified as a true copy of the original by the custodian of the record, may be forwarded to the master. The copy is evidence of facts asserted therein and is admissible to show whether payments were made.

8. Copies of bills for testing for paternity, and for prenatal and postnatal health care of the mother and child, furnished to the adverse party at least 20 days before the hearing, are admissible in evidence to prove the amount of the charges billed and that the charges were reasonable, necessary and customary.

9. Documentary evidence transmitted from outside of the judicial district by telephone, telecopier or other means that do not provide an original writing may not be excluded from evidence on an objection based on the means of transmission.

10. The master may:

(a) Conduct a hearing by telephone, audiovisual means or other electronic means outside of the judicial district in which the master is appointed.

(b) Permit a party or witness residing outside of the judicial district to be deposed or to testify by telephone, audiovisual means or other electronic means before a designated court or at another location outside of the judicial district.

The master shall cooperate with courts outside of the judicial district in designating an appropriate location for the hearing, deposition or testimony.

11. If a party called to testify at a hearing refuses to answer a question on the ground that the testimony may be self-incriminating, the master may draw an adverse inference from the refusal.

12. A privilege against the disclosure of communications between a married couple does not apply.

13. The defense of immunity based on the relationship of a married couple or parent and child does not apply.

(Added to NRS by 1989, 1637; A 1991, 1034; 1993, 487; 1997, 2256; 2009, 947; 2017, 789)