Genesee County Friend of the Court

Calculating Child Support on MiChildSupport

Child support calculations can be confusing and hard to figure out. This video covers how to calculate support on the MiChildSupport website. We go over the information that will be needed to calculate support, how support can be impacted by changes in the information that is included in the calculation, and important parts of the child support formula. We will go step by step and walk through every piece of information that will be needed to calculate support, including income, overnights, health insurances, taxes, and child care expenses. #childsupport #childsupporthelp #family #familylaw #michigan #michiganlaw #FamilyCourt #parentingtime #TeamGenesee #GeneseeCounty #geneseecountymi #flintmichigan #FlintMI

Child Support Calculation: Income, Overnights, Health Insurance, Child Care, and MORE

Child support calculations can be confusing and hard to figure out. This video covers how to calculate support on the MiChildSupport website. We go over the information that will be needed to calculate support, how support can be impacted by changes in the information that is included in the calculation, and important parts of the child support formula. We will go step by step and walk through every piece of information that will be needed to calculate support, including income, overnights, health insurances, taxes, and child care expenses. #childsupport #childsupporthelp #family #familylaw #michigan #michiganlaw #FamilyCourt #parentingtime #TeamGenesee #GeneseeCounty #geneseecountymi #flintmichigan #FlintMI

How to Calculate Child Support

Child support calculations can be confusing and hard to figure out. This video covers how to calculate support on the MiChildSupport website. We go over the information that will be needed to calculate support, how support can be impacted by changes in the information that is included in the calculation, and important parts of the child support formula. We will go step by step and walk through every piece of information that will be needed to calculate support, including income, overnights, health insurances, taxes, and child care expenses. #childsupport #childsupporthelp #family #familylaw #michigan #michiganlaw #FamilyCourt #parentingtime #TeamGenesee #GeneseeCounty #geneseecountymi #flintmichigan #FlintMI

Navigating the MiChildSupport Website

The MiChildSupport website is full of useful information for families with a child support case. The MiChildSupport website offers features like 24/7 access to case information, alerts and updates for changes on your case, educational videos, and a child support calculator. In this video, we go over some of the features of the MiChildSupport website and how to navigate the website, highlighting many of the features available. #childsupport #childsupporthelp #familylaw #family #FamilyCourt #michiganlaw #michigan #FlintMI #Flint #flintmichigan #GeneseeCounty #geneseecountymi #TeamGenesee

24/7 Case Information, Child Support Calculator, and More on MiChildSupport

The MiChildSupport website is full of useful information for families with a child support case. The MiChildSupport website offers features like 24/7 access to case information, alerts and updates for changes on your case, educational videos, and a child support calculator. In this video, we go over some of the features of the MiChildSupport website and how to navigate the website, highlighting many of the features available. #childsupport #childsupporthelp #familylaw #family #FamilyCourt #michiganlaw #michigan #FlintMI #Flint #flintmichigan #GeneseeCounty #geneseecountymi #TeamGenesee

MiChildSupport Website Intro

The MiChildSupport website is full of useful information for families with a child support case. The MiChildSupport website offers features like 24/7 access to case information, alerts and updates for changes on your case, educational videos, and a child support calculator. In this video, we go over some of the features of the MiChildSupport website and how to navigate the website, highlighting many of the features available. #childsupport #childsupporthelp #familylaw #family #FamilyCourt #michiganlaw #michigan #FlintMI #Flint #flintmichigan #GeneseeCounty #geneseecountymi #TeamGenesee

Checking Out the MiSDU Website Learning About Making Payments and Receiving Payments

The Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) is where all child support payments in Michigan go through. This means that payments made go through the MiSDU and then are processed and sent out to the recipient of support. Since this is where all child support payments go, we wanted to walk through some of the features of the MiSDU website. In this video, we go over several ways to make payments and how to set up direct deposit or a debit card for those parents who are receiving payments.

Filling Out an Arrears Management Form

Do you have state owed arrears and wonder if you might be able to get some of them waived? We will go over the purpose of the Arrears Management form and how to fill it out in this video. For more information about arrears management and options to help you with you Friend of the Court case, go to our site at www.geneseecountymi.gov

InvolvedDad and Genesee County Friend of the Court Lunch and Learn

Check out another clip from the Lunch and Learn with InvolvedDad's Shon Hart and Genesee County Friend of the Court Tony McDowell. The full length discussion will be out soon. Stay tuned. In this clip Shon and Tony discuss the "mental armor" many people wear when engaging with the Friend of the Court. They also discuss the "why" of the Genesee County Friend of the Court. #community #Flint #FlintMI #flintmichigan #familycourt #friendofthecourt #childsupport #familylaw #communitypartners #simonsinek

Upcoming Lunch and Learn Video with InvolvedDad and Genesee County Friend of the Court

The InvolvedDad and Genesee County Friend of the Court Lunch and Learn series is coming back! Check out part of the conversation on engaging with the community between InvolvedDad's Executive Director, Shon Hart and Genesee County Friend of the Court, Tony McDowell. Shon shares his ideas about what clothing can do to help break down barriers when working with the community. Stay tuned for more of the discussion! #community #michigan #Flint #FlintMI #flintmichigan #friendofthecourt #familycourt #childsupport #familylaw

Genesee County Friend of the Court Website

The Genesee County FOC Website has a ton of valuable information and links. Today, we will go over some of the links and forms on our website that can help families navigate the Friend of the Court.

Filling Out a Uniform Support Order

One of the most common questions we get is how to fill out a uniform support order. Uniform support orders are required for every case involving children unless support is reserved. Today, we go over how to fill out a uniform support order. Thanks for being patient as we work through the glitches with our new software for streaming live videos. We are learning new ways to get information out to the families we serve!

The Genesee County Friend of the Court Team

In honor of child support month, we are going to spend some time talking about some of the amazing child support professionals who work to serve families in this community.

August 2021 is Child Support Month in Michigan

Governor Whitmer has declared August 2021 as Child Support Month in Michigan. Thank you to all of the fantastic employees at the Genesee County Friend of the Court who truly believe in serving their community and helping families navigate the court system. Check out this video to find out the amazing things that the child support program and Friend of the Court workers in Genesee County are doing to serve families. Did you know that the Michigan Child Support program collected and paid out $1.3 billion to families in 2020? Did you know the Michigan Child Support program served over 790,000 families? In Genesee County alone, we collected over $70 million for families and served over 47,000 families. In additiont to our collection efforts, we did a lot more to serve families in the last year.

Hope can be a key component of success. We have to believe that there is a brighter future even when we are in a difficult moment. Dark moments are going to happen, but if we can find the light, even the darkest moments can become a lot brighter. It is the hope that can take us out of our worst situations. #motivation #motivationmonday #motivationmonday💪 #motivationalquotes #desmondtutu #desmondtutuquotes #friendofthecourt #familycourt #childsupport #custody #parentingtime #parenting #flint #flintmi #flintmichigan #geneseecounty #geneseecountymi #teamgenesee

Referee Hearings

The Family Court system sometimes has words that we use all of the time that can be really confusing. One of those words that can be confusing is: referee. Referees hear family law cases and a lot of their work looks like what family division judges do, but there are some big differences. Check out the video to find out more about the differences between judges and referees, how to handle referee recommendations, and more about referee hearings.

Referee Hearings

The Family Court system sometimes has words that we use all of the time that can be really confusing. One of those words that can be confusing is: referee. Referees hear family law cases and a lot of their work looks like what family division judges do, but there are some big differences. Check out the video to find out more about the differences between judges and referees, how to handle referee recommendations, and more about referee hearings.

The Genesee County Friend of the Court will be closed on July 23, 2021 starting at 2:15 PM, due to a power outage impacting the downtown Flint area. We look forward to serving you next week!

Duties of the Friend of the Court

What is the role of the Friend of the Court? This is one of those questions that comes up all of the time. There is a lot of confusion out there about what the Friend of the Court can and cannot do. Today, we are going to talk about the duties of the Friend of the Court and some of the things that Friend of the Court offices are not permitted to do. This topic came from some of our followers who are asking great questions about FOC services. Thank you for asking some really good questions and giving us ideas for the information that is important to you.

Parenting Time Enforcement

Have you ever wondered about the process for parenting time enforcement? The laws in Michigan related to parenting time enforcement set a clear road map for how parenting time enforcement needs to go. It starts with a parenting time complaint in writing. Written parenting time complaints then go to the other parent to respond. They are given an opporunity to explain their side of the story. Once we receive the response back, we can start the enforcement process, which could go many different ways. Parenting time enforcement can involve going before a judge or referee for a show cause hearing, a parenting time modification hearing, or being referred to mediation to resolve the parenting time complaint. Parenting time complaint forms can be found on our website at www.gc4me.com/foc What are some other things you would be interested in knowing about parenting time and the Friend of the Court?

Returning to Normal Operations - FOC

Have you been wondering about what the Friend of the Court and the Court are going to look like as we return to normal operations? Today we are going to go over some of the big changes that have happened recently. More changes are definitely coming, but here is where things are now. >The FOC front counter is open to the public for walk in questions and payments. >FOC caseworkers are available for in person appointments for stipulated orders and questions about your case - BUT they are also available by phone and Zoom >Documents that need to be filed with the Clerk can be filed by mail and in person, but not by email any longer >Many hearings are still by Zoom, but some are beginning to be in person - check your Court paperwork to know about your specific hearing >FOC documents can be sent in electronically at [email protected] >Payments can still be made online, by phone, with a deputy, or in person We look forward to keeping many of our tech advances that make us more accessible that we have used for the past year and combining those with in person services. What is your favorite service we added in the last year?

Starting a Child Support Case

Are you trying to figure out how to start a child support case in Michigan? Well, there are a couple different ways. Child support cases in Michigan always involve a court case. Court cases can be filed by either parent to start a child support case by filing a complaint for child support with the Court. This can be done by the parent on their own or with the help of an attorney. Child support cases can also be started by requesting child support services from the Office of Child Support. Child support services can be requested at micase.state.mi.us. After the Office of Child Support reviews the case, it will go to the Prosecuting Attorney to file a complaint to start a case. After a judge enters an order for child support, the Friend of the Court enforces the order. Did you know that you could request child support services from the MiChildSupport website?

Child Support and Parenting Time Enforcement

What happens if someone is not following a child support order? Do they still get parenting time? What if the parenting time order is not being followed? Does child support need to be paid? We get these questions a lot at the Friend of the Court. Child support and parenting time are separate provisions of a court order and both must be followed. Just because someone is not paying support does not mean they should not get their court ordered time with their child. Likewise, if court ordered parenting time is not happening, then child support should not be withheld. The Friend of the Court is available to enforce both parenting time and child support orders. At the Genesee County Friend of the Court, we have different case workers for working child support enforcement and parenting time enforcement. If you are not getting your court ordered parenting time or child support, please submit a complaint in writing to our office. Forms are available at www.gc4me.com/foc and can be dropped off at our office, mailed to 630 S. Saginaw St. Flint, MI or emailed to [email protected].

Effective Date of Child Support

Does child support go back to the birth of the child? This was the question we got recently from one of the parents watching our videos. In Michigan, child support goes back to the date that the court is petitioned or a motion is filed asking the court to address child support. Since this doesn't normally happen before the child is born or on the date the child is born, support does not go back to the birth of the child. Since changes in child support only go back to the date a motion or petition is filed, it is important to bring issues before the court by filing a motion or requesting a modification through the Friend of the Court if there has been a change. If you are looking for forms to file a child support motion or to request a modification of child support, they can be found at www.gc4me.com/foc

Stipulated Orders at the Friend of the Court

Looking for an easy way to get your family's court orders updated? At the Genesee County Friend of the Court, we help families change their orders when they agree on a change to custody, parenting time, or support. When parents agree on what they want their order to look like and they have a Friend of the Court case, they can schedule an appointment with their caseworker. We use approved forms to help each family prepare an agreement that works for their family and submit the proposed order to the judge electronically for their review and signature. This is one of our most common reasons for families to come into our office for an appointment. We can do these appointments in person or using Zoom technology. What other services do you wish your Friend of the Court office could offer?

Michigan Child Support Formula Basics

Have you ever wondered how child support is determined? In Michigan, child support orders are determined using the Michigan Child Support Formula. The Formula includes a lot of details about what is considered income, how different types of income should be handled, and includes actual formulas for calculating support. Essentially, child support calculations look at how many children the parties have, how many overnights each parent has with the minor children, and both parent's income. What are some other questions you have about the Michigan Child Support Formula? Let us know and we will get your more information about the Formula.

Making Sense of the Child Support Formula

Have you ever wondered how child support is determined? In Michigan, child support orders are determined using the Michigan Child Support Formula. The Formula includes a lot of details about what is considered income, how different types of income should be handled, and includes actual formulas for calculating support. Essentially, child support calculations look at how many children the parties have, how many overnights each parent has with the minor children, and both parent's income. What are some other questions you have about the Michigan Child Support Formula? Let us know and we will get your more information about the Formula.

Michigan Child Support Formula Basics

Have you ever wondered how child support is determined? In Michigan, child support orders are determined using the Michigan Child Support Formula. The Formula includes a lot of details about what is considered income, how different types of income should be handled, and includes actual formulas for calculating support. Essentially, child support calculations look at how many children the parties have, how many overnights each parent has with the minor children, and both parent's income. What are some other questions you have about the Michigan Child Support Formula? Let us know and we will get your more information about the Formula.

Making Support Payments

Support payments can be made online, by phone, by mail, and in person. Right now, there are more ways to make support payments than have ever existed. Online payments can be made through the Michigan State Disbursement Unit website at www.misdu.com. Payments can be specifically made on Genesee County FOC cases at www.allpaid.com, using code 6993. Payments can be made by phone with the Michigan State Disbursement Unit at 877-543-2660 or with the Genesee County Friend of the Court at 810-257-3300. Checks and money orders can be mailed to the Michigan State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 30351 Lansing, MI 48909. Cash payments can be made at CVS, 7-11, or Family Dollar using Pay Near Me or at Wal-Mart, CVS, or Kroger using MoneyGram. Sign up for these options at misdu.com. Cash payments can also be made at the Genesee County FOC at 630 S. Saginaw St. Flint, MI 48502.

Getting Issues to Court - Motions

Whether you are trying to change custody, parenting time, or child support, the first step to getting the order changed is getting the issue before the court. The formal process of getting an issue before the court is by filing a motion. Motion hearings are a short hearing to let the court know what the issues are and to help the court decide whether there needs to be another longer hearing on the issue. Sometimes an issue can be addressed in a motion hearing, but a lot of times there will need to be another hearing down the road. If you have questions about motions or how to file, those are legal questions that cannot be answered by the Friend of the Court or other court staff. If you have legal questions, you can contact an attorney. The Genesee County Bar Association has a lawyer referral program, some families can get legal assistance from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, or you can look online for attorneys in your area.