When the Court orders child support, Michigan Court Rules require a Uniform Child Support Order. The Uniform Child Support Order governs the terms of child support for the life of the Order. Unless otherwise Ordered, the payer of support must make their payments to the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU). A payer (person Ordered to pay support) should reference the
MiSDU website for acceptable payment methods.
It is very important that payments made to the MiSDU are properly identified with the payer’s name, docket number and at least the last four digits of the payer’s social security number. Payments received by the MiSDU that are unidentifiable are delayed until such time the MiSDU can identify the payer. It is also important to note that payers sending an unidentifiable payment to the MiSDU could have enforcement actions levied against them for non-payment of support. Only a properly identified payment can be applied to the payer’s case(s). Federal Regulations prevent payments made to the MiSDU from being directed to one case when the payer has multiple cases. Payers with multiple cases making payments through the MiSDU will see their payment split across all eligible cases in accordance with these regulations.
The Livingston County Friend of the Court accepts cash or credit card payments in person at the office located in the Law Center at 210 S. Highlander Way, Suite 3, Howell, MI 48843. The Friend of the Court accepts debit cards with the MasterCard or Visa logo, MasterCard, Discover and Visa credit cards. Michigan Court Rules permit a payment to be made on a specific case by submitting a completed, signed Special Instruction Payment Coupon when paying in person for a case in Livingston County at the Livingston County Friend of the Court Office.
Please note that once an Order for support is entered into the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES), and a payment is received, the first payment to the recipient of child support (payee) will be by check from the MiSDU. Payees may elect to have their support electronically sent from the MiSDU to their bank account by direct deposit.
Direct Deposit Form.
If a direct deposit form is not received by the MiSDU, payments will be made to a debit card called Reliacard issued to the payee at the address listed in Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES). It is imperative that you keep your address updated with the Livingston County Friend of the Court for this and many other reasons. To find more information about direct deposit or the Reliacard, please visit the
MiSDU site.