Friend of the Court: Accounting & EFT

Accounting Department:
The Friend of the Court accounting department processes support orders and enters information into the computer. A court order is a legal document signed by a judge. Accounts are charged according to a court order. The charge amount cannot be changed except by entry of a new court order. By law all court orders now charge monthly.

Arrearages:
Arrearages are unpaid amounts, including child support, spousal support, medical payments, statutory fees, and surcharges. Arrearages owing still must be paid, even after a child emancipates, unless there is a court order forgiving them.

Certification/Decertification:
Child support will be sent to the State of Michigan when the Department of Human Services (DHS) notifies the Friend of the Court (FOC) that the custodian is receiving welfare benefits (TANF). This notice is by a Certification. Payments resume to the custodial parent when a decertification (notice that welfare benefits have stopped) is received.

Changes:
All changes in address, name, income, employer, and children's residence must be in writing. We cannot accept these changes by e-mail or telephone, due to the lack of signature.

Closing Cases:
A Notice of Case Closure is sent by FOC to the parties whenever a case is closed. Possible reasons for closure include: emancipation, an order of dismissal, or termination of parental rights. Arrearages must be paid in full before the notice will be sent, unless the account is deemed uncollectible.

Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT):
Our office encourages the use of EFT for outgoing support payments. Payees who sign up for EFT will have support payments sent directly to their bank account. EFT usually results in quicker receipt of child support and there is no possibility of a lost or stolen check. There is no extra charge for this service. Call 1-877-543-2660 for an EFT enrollment form.

Parenting Time Support Abatements:
Some court orders provide for a 50% abatement in support charges when the noncustodial parent has the children for six consecutive overnights. The FOC office has a form available to apply for this credit. Once the credit is applied to the account, money may be refunded to the payer by MIDSU, if the account is paid in full. The form is available on this website.

Support Payments:
Effective 9-1-03, the FOC office only accepts cash payments at the payment window. All other payments must be mailed to the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MISDU) at PO Box 30350, Lansing, MI 48909.

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