Frequently Asked Questions

No, you may choose to opt out of our services. Parties who “opt out” must assume all responsibility for administering and enforcing the court’s orders. Even after a Friend of the Court (FOC) case is opened, parties may choose to “opt out” by filing the proper motion with the county clerk’s office. There are several circumstances that may prevent parties from opting out, for these situations refer to the Jackson County

You can start a support and/or paternity case, free of charge, by contacting the Office of Child Support at 866-540-0008. They will assist you and guide you in what you need to do. You can also file a complaint that includes a request that the court enter a child support order with the county clerk’s office. You can do this on your own (in pro-per) or through an attorney.

No. You must follow the parenting time order. These are 2 separate issues.

The money withheld from your pay check is in addition to child support, it is for ordinary health care expenses. Ordinary health care expense include insurance co-payments, deductibles and other qualified uninsured health care expenses. Ordinary health care expenses are in addition to providing child support and health care coverage.

The Friend of the Court (FOC) will review child support orders once every 36 months upon written request from 1 of the parties. The support review process can take between 4-6 months to complete. If you need an immediate review in the support amount due to a change in your income or the other parent’s income you should file a Motion Regarding Support.

No. Child support can continue up to age 19 ½ if the child attends high school on a full-time basis with a reasonable expectation of completing credits to graduate and the child continues to reside with the person who receives the support payments. If the child has graduated, support ends on the child’s 18th birthday.

No, not unless your order specifically allows direct payments. If it does not, you might not receive credit for payments made directly to the other parent.

No. The Michigan State Disbursement Unit must send any support payments that it receives from the other parent to the Department of Human Services to offset the public assistance that you receive from the Department of Human Services.