The Friend of the Court/Reimbursement and Child Support Division processes payments on over 80,000 case records. With your help, we can make sure all payments are accounted for correctly.
Opening your account
The Friend of the Court opens your file on the business day after the initial filing of your divorce, paternity, family support, or interstate (UIFSA) action. At the same time, an account is opened to allow for the receipt of payment. The account number is the same as your Circuit Court case number.
The Friend of the Court cannot disburse payments received until a copy of the written order is received. The responsibility for getting this order to the Friend of the Court is your attorney's, the prosecuting attorney's, or your responsibility if you represent yourself.
After the written order is received, payment coupons are mailed to the paying party, provided the Friend of the Court has a valid address. Include only your check with each payment, writing on the coupon the amount of the payment. Do not include letters, etc. Use the address label at the end of each coupon.
Do not wait until you receive payment coupons to begin making your support payments. If you have not received payment coupons, write your case number on your check or money order and send it to:
Oakland County Friend of the Court
PO Box 436012
Pontiac, Michigan, USA, 48343-6012
Do not make the mistake of assuming that an agreement between the parents makes it acceptable to ignore a court order. If the order requires payments to be made through the Friend of the Court, but instead, the payer pays the custodial parent directly, both parents may be in violation of the court order. Automatic enforcement procedures, surcharges and court costs may be triggered.
An income withholding order is mandatory
An income withholding order is mandatory on all support orders. Income withholding occurs when your employer is notified to deduct support from your income and send it to the Friend of the Court.
If an income withholding order has not taken effect yet or has not been applied to your case for some reason (e.g., you are self-employed), it is your responsibility to make your support payments to the Friend of the Court.
How the payments are handled
Child support and spousal support payments paid to the Friend of the Court are received and deposited by the Child Support Division. After posting, the funds are either directly deposited in the custodial parents designated bank account, or a check, in special circumstances only, is written and mailed to the custodial parent. If the children are receiving public assistance, the funds are sent to the Family Independence Agency.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
The Friend of the Court uses electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) technology when sending support payments (Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 1998-3).
You must complete a direct deposit application when your support order is entered. Older cases are in the process of being converted. Your monthly statements from your bank or financial institution will show the deposits. Information on the last payment is available by calling 248-858-1565.
Requesting direct deposit will eliminate many concerns. A direct deposit application, along with the answers to some frequently asked questions about direct deposits, is available at the Friend of the Court or by calling 248-858-0468.
