W. Va. R. P. Child Abuse & Neglect 25

When a child is placed in the temporary custody of the Department or a responsible person pursuant to W. Va. Code § 49-4-602, the final adjudicatory hearing shall commence within thirty (30) days of the temporary custody order entered following the preliminary hearing and must be given priority on the docket unless a preadjudicatory improvement period has been ordered. In all other cases, the final adjudicatory hearing shall commence within thirty (30) days of the filing of the petition or, if a preadjudicatory improvement period has been ordered, as soon as possible, but no later than thirty (30) days, after the conclusion of such preadjudicatory improvement period. Where a respondent has been served, no order adjudicating that such respondent has abused or neglected the child concerned until the time for answer for such respondent has expired and, if the answer is timely served, the respondent has been afforded at least 20 days from the date the answer was filed to prepare for adjudication or has waived such opportunity to prepare. The final adjudicatory hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of W. Va. Code § 49-4-601(i).