When another State is involved
Understanding the Terminology
- Controlling Order: the order that has priority over other orders issued.
- Current Support: the amount of money ordered for the care of a child or spouse. It may include childcare, healthcare, costs, and fees.
- Moving Party: person who is part of the case and is trying to have the order changed.
- Party: a person who is part of the case.
- Past-Due Support: support money that was not paid on time and is still owed. Also referred to as arrearages.
- Registering Party: person who is part of the case and is trying to register an order in another state.
- Registration: the process to take an order from one state, and have it recognized by another.
- No Support Order: If there is no support order, one can be established. Support or paternity may be set up without the help of another state. If the people involved meet some specific rules (sufficient minimum contact), Michigan may be able to enter an order. If another state's help is needed, UIFSA has rules which allow the two states to work together to get an order.
- Enforcement: Sometimes it is better to work with another state to collect support. The order can be registered for enforcement only. The second state cannot change the support order. That other state only uses their law to collect support.
- Modification: There is no controlling order if more than one state has issued an order, and no one lives in those states. All of the orders should be registered in the state where the non-moving party lives. That state will take all of the orders and figure the past-due support that is owed. They will also issue a single new support order. The new order will set support.
- Registering Orders: Orders may be registered in states that did not issue them. They can be registered for enforcement and/or modification. Registration starts by getting the orders and other documents, and sending them to the other state. When the documents are received, the receiving state will file them with a local agency. Once filed, the local agency must send a copy of the documents and a notice to the non-registering party. Orders registered from another state are to be enforced like any other support order in the receiving state. The non-registering party has 20 days to object to orders being registered. This is the only time that they may object. If a proper objection is not made within 20 days, the order is confirmed. If a proper objection is made to the local agency within 20 days, a hearing will be scheduled. A notice will be sent to the parties telling the date, time, and place of the hearing. Based on the facts given at the hearing, a decision will be made if the registration will be allowed. More facts may be collected before a final decision is made. If the decision allows the registration of the order, or the 20 days passes without any proper objections, future objections are not allowed.
Getting help in Michigan: If there is a case already open in ANOTHER STATE between you and the father/mother of the child(ren), you will need to contact that state to assist you in collecting support. If you want to have the support order brought to TUSCOLA COUNTY, you will need to contact the Office of Child Support by faxing a letter to 517-241-0844 or mail to: Office of Child Support Operations – Lansing; 235 S Grand Blvd; Suite 1007; PO Box 30750; Lansing MI 48909-8250.
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