Friend of the Court - Description & Services

The office of the Friend of the Court is an administrative arm of the Family Division of Circuit Court. Its primary function is enforcing all orders of the Court regarding child support, custody and parenting time issues. Often, the Court calls upon the office to conduct investigations and make recommendations in these areas as well.

The office also offers mediation / dispute resolution of parenting time disputes. Conciliation Conferences are conducted on all new divorce cases to determine interim child support, custody and parenting time orders. Preparation of orders to effect agreements of the parties if in the best interests of the children.

CHILD SUPPORT ISSUES

The statewide Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES), was implemented in Ionia County,EFFECTIVE July 1, 2003.

MiCSES is a federally mandated computer program, which follows specific federal payment procedures. The program will disburse money according to the new rules. Current child support will be paid first and child support arrearages will go to the families before going to pay back money owed to the State of Michigan. Under the new distribution guidelines, payees may find that the support payments received early in the month may be more than they are accustomed to receiving. Later in the month, your child support payment may be reduced as the monthly obligations to you are paid and the payment is used to cover other obligations. If a payer has cases in multiple counties, this may affect your child support payment amounts, especially tax offset distribution. Distribution to Multiple Cases – If a payer has more than one case in this or another county, it is possible that a payment may be distributed with a partial payment to each case rather than all of the withholding to one case. This is required by federal regulations. For more information on how child support is allocated on one case and/or multiple cases go to www.misdu.com and click on client FAQ

Payments and Checks – Central processing of payments. The Friend of the Court will no longer accept payments at the FOC office. Federal laws require that all payments AFTER JULY 1 st, 2003, be made to the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) at P.O. Box 30350, Lansing, MI 48909-7850. If a payer brings a check or money order to the FOC office after 7/1/03, he or she will be given a pre-addressed envelope to mail the payment directly to the MiSDU.

Child Support checks will be printed and mailed or EFT transfers (direct deposit) from MiSDU. They will look different from the former FOC checks. If you do not receive your payment, you must contact MiSDU toll free at 1-800-817-0632. Please do not contact the Friend of the Court to request the status of your support check. Direct deposit of your child support into your checking or savings account is encouraged! This process of electronic transfer of funds to your account is the fastest and safest way to receive child support money. Once signed up, your support money will be directly deposited, eliminating your need to go to the bank to cash or deposit child support checks.

Electronic Funds Transfers (direct deposit) – If you have already signed up for direct deposit with the FOC, there is nothing for you to do. The payments will be sent to your bank account the same as when the FOC was disbursing payments. If you change bank accounts you will need to notify the MiSDU. Forms are available at the FOC office or by contacting the FOC 616-527-5310 IVR (interactive voice response) to request a EFT change form. If you currently have cases in more than one county with more than one account for direct deposit, you will need to change them all to one account.

Coupons – Payers who do not have an income withholding order will receive notices instructing them to submit support payments directly to the MiSDU, not to the Friend of the Court. Payers will be receiving coupons by mail from the MiSDU.

Address Changes – Must be reported in writing to the MiSDU or to the Friend of the Court office. Forms are available at the FOC office or by calling the IVR at 616-527-5310.

Parenting Time Abatement (credit) – Credit for retroactive parenting time (as directed by your court order) will be applied directly to the case and can be refunded ONLY in those instances where ALL of a payer's cases are paid up to date. Direct refunds for parenting time abatements will no longer be issued.

Credit Card Payments – Credit card payments will continue to be accepted by the Friend of the Court. The phone number for credit card payments is: 888-604-7888. A fee for service equal to 5% will be added to the amounts due.

Links of Interest:

http://www.michigan.gov/fia - by browsing this link you can find out more about child support enforcement, parenting time, and custody issues. Click on the child support or MiSDU drop down list to find out more about these areas.

http://www.courts.michigan.gov/scao/services/focb/mcsf.htm - Michigan Child Support Formula/Guideline. You can order or download the latest version of the child support formula.

http://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO/courtforms/ - Resources, approved forms, etc.