Frequently Asked Questions
I cannot get through to the Friend of the Court (FOC) office by telephone. Why?
Answer: The office is required to use an automated voice response system (IVR). The IVR is user friendly and a caller may follow the prompts to be connected with the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) for account information, to request forms or may choose to connect to the local FOC to schedule an appointment with a caseworker. Please be advised that the office receives a high volume of calls daily and you may need to wait to speak to a receptionist.
When do I contact MiSDU, and when do I contact the Friend of the Court?
Answer: The MiSDU deals with inquiries such as payment coupons, direct deposits, check issuance, lost/stolen checks, unclaimed checks, IVR pin numbers, and disbursement details. In general, all other questions should be referred to your local FOC office. MiSDU may be reached by calling the automated IVR (616-846-8210) and following the prompts to connect to MiSDU. You may also follow the prompts to reach your local FOC office.
Where can I send my payments?
You may send your payments to:
Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU)
P.O. Box 30351
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7851
www.misdu.com
Please ensure to include your social security number and name on the payment.
How will I receive my child support?
Answer: Child support is required to be electronically disbursed. This means that support payments will not longer be sent by check to customers. Instead, customers must have support deposited directly into a bank account or put onto a US Bank ReliaCard Visa debit card. The customer may choose either option. The MiSDU handles all inquires regarding direct deposit and US Bank ReliaCard.
How does a child support case get started?
Answer: If you are on public assistance, your Department of Human Services (DHS) caseworker can assist you with establishing paternity and/or starting a child support case. If you do not have a DHS caseworker you may contact the Office of Child Support at 1-866-540-0008 for additional information on starting a child support case
How do I get my support increased or decreased?
Answer: You may need to file a motion to modify support. Motion forms may be requested through the automated IVR (616-846-8210) or forms are available at the main Friend of the Court office located at 414 Washington Street – Room 206 in Grand Haven, Michigan. Forms are also available at the Holland office located at 12185 James St. – suite 105 on Wednesdays only. Many forms, including motion forms to modify support or parenting time, are available on this web site.
If both parents agree to a support modification and are not receiving public assistance, you may contact your caseworker in writing to request that a stipulation and order be drafted reflecting the agreed upon amount.
I’m not getting my parenting time, what can I do?
Answer: If parenting time is specified in your court order (for example: “alternating weekends” or “Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.”) and the provision in your court order is not being followed, you may file a parenting time complaint. A complaint form is available in our office, on our web site or may be requested through the automated IVR. If your court order does not identify specific parenting times and you wish to have the parenting time provision of your order modified to include specifics, you will need to file a motion to modify parenting time. This form is also available in our office, on our web site or through the automated IVR. For general parenting time provisions, please refer to the Friend of the Court parenting time policy available on this web site.
How do I change my employer/address?
Answer: Address and employer change forms are available in our office, on our web site or through the automated IVR.
How can I get the other party scheduled for court?
Answer: If it has been over 45 days since your last child support payment and the balance owed is over $500, you may request that your caseworker schedule a show cause hearing. You may also check to see if a show cause hearing has already been scheduled through the automated IVR.
Why does my caseworker prefer that I put all my correspondence to the office “in writing”?
Answer: For us to better assist you it is necessary for us to require written correspondence. This allows us to adequately research your issue and review your file before responding to you. We are then better prepared to answer any follow-up questions you may have. All correspondence is responded to in the order it is received. Correspondence should include names of both parties, docket number and your specific caseworker’s name (if known).
Where’s my money? I haven’t received a check in a while.
Answer: The automated IVR can provide you with the last payment and account balance information.
I’d like to file for change of custody. Can you mail that paperwork to me?
Answer: Due to the in-depth nature of the custody assessment procedure, this paperwork is not typically mailed out. You will need to schedule an appointment with your caseworker to discuss the custody assessment process.
I want to have custody changed immediately due to emergency circumstances. Can the Friend of the Court help me?
Answer: Typically, no. If there are emergency circumstances (for example, you believe the child is at immediate risk of harm while in the care of the other parent) you need to contact your local law enforcement agency or Ottawa County Child Protective Services at (616) 394-7200.
The other party in my case does not ever exercise parenting time with the kids or pay support. I want his/her rights terminated. How can I do that?
Answer: Under certain circumstances parental rights may be terminated through adoption or abuse/neglect proceedings. You may contact the Ottawa County Probate Court for additional information (616-786-4110). The Friend of the Court office does not petition the court to terminate parental rights.
A civil bench warrant has been issued for my arrest due to non-payment of support, what do I do now?
Answer: Please come into the Friend of the Court office immediately to resolve the bench warrant and avoid further enforcement action. Expect to make some kind of cash payment on the outstanding support arrearage and to provide employment and address information.
A felony warrant has been issued for my arrest due to non-payment of support, what do I do now?
Answer: A felony warrant results from a criminal case that has been issued by the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office. If this has happened then the Friend of the Court office cannot resolve the warrant and you must contact the Prosecutor’s office to determine what to do next. You may contact the Prosecutor’s office at (616) 846-8215. For more information you may also contact their web site at miOTTAWA.org/CourtsLE/Prosecutor/.
