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.

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) and Debit Cards:
The State Disbursement Unit (SDU) requires support be sent to payees either by EFT or to a debit card. If a payee signs up for EFT, support payments will be sent directly to their bank account. Otherwise, a debit card will be issued to the payee. As support payments are made, the amounts will be transferred to the debit card.

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.