The Friend of the Court (FOC) Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides
information regarding payments, enforcement, payment coupons, direct
deposit, scheduled hearings, office hours and location. The IVR
provides step-by-step instructions or allows experienced users to move
quickly through the system.
To access case specific information, it is necessary to enter your
social security number. The first time you access the system you will
be asked to establish a PIN number. You will need to use that PIN number each time you request payment information.
Payments are received and disbursed by the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU). You
may be connected with a MiSDU operator by selecting option number 4
(within the FOC IVR) after you have selected your choice of language
(English or Spanish). Please contact the MiSDU for payment related
questions.
Contacting the Friend of the Court Office
Telephone messages are not always included in the
Friend of the Court record. Submitting information in writing ensures
your correspondence will be made a part of your case record.
Direct Phone Line
The direct telephone numbers of the FOC staff assigned to your case are available online. You may also pick up a listing at the office or request one by mail. E-mail is not permitted due to confidentiality rules.
Switchboard
An automated attendant will answer your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. An operator is available to assist you between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday - Friday.
Given the volume of telephone calls and complexity of some issues,
operators will answer basic questions. For detailed case related
questions, operators will forward your call to the appropriate staff
member.
Referee Locations for motion call on Wednesdays at the courthouse.
What you should know
State law requires that all payments must be distributed
electronically. Payees should sign up for direct deposit if they do not
wish to be sent a child support debit card. Understand that information you provide by telephone is not documented in your case file. FOC staff may take up to two business days to return telephone calls. FOC records are confidential. However, Michigan Court Rules give the other party access to your correspondence with our office. Walk-ins are seen only on a limited basis. You should not expect to be seen at the FOC office without an appointment. You may be asked to sign a Request for IV-D services which will
allow the FOC to provide services described in the overview of FOC
services. You may opt out of FOC services if you file a motion and the court
approves your request. The court cannot approve your request if one
party on your case receives public assistance, if arrears have existed
on the case or if a parenting time violation has occurred in the past
twelve months, or if there is evidence of domestic violence or unequal
bargaining positions on your case or if the request is not considered to
be in the best interests of your child(ren).