If you owe any part of the arrears to the other parent, you must serve (send) them a copy of each paper you file. If the other parent has a lawyer, send the papers to the lawyer instead. This includes one copy of each of the following forms, along with any attachments that you filed:
- Motion Regarding Payment Plan/Discharge of Arrears
- Fee Waiver Request and the decision on your request (if you filed a Fee Waiver Request)
You must serve documents electronically if you can and if the other party has access to e-mail. If you or the other party can't do this electronically, or if you are not sure, you can serve by regular mail. If you serve by mail, send the papers to the other party’s last known address.
If you are using MiFILE to file documents electronically, your documents will be served electronically as long as the other party is also using MiFILE. If the other party is not using MiFILE, you will need to serve the documents by e-mail, if possible, or by regular mail if electronic options are not available.
MiFILE is only available for some courts. Even in courts where it is available, you can only use it for some case types. The State Court Administrative Office keeps a chart of courts that use e-filing. To learn more, read What Is E-Filing?.
Service must be completed at least 9 days before the hearing date if you mail it or at least 7 days before the hearing date if it is personally delivered or served through MiFILE. If you are serving through e-mail, the court rule is not clear about the timeline. To be on the safe side, complete service at least 9 days before the hearing date.
If you are serving documents by e-mail, keep the following rules in mind:
- All documents must be in PDF format;
- The e-mail subject line must include the name of the court, case name, case number, and the title of each document being sent;
- If you e-mail a document at or before 11:59 p.m., it is considered served on that day. If you send the e-mail on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, it is considered served on the next business day;
- Do not delete any e-mails you send to the other party, especially e-mails that served court documents. You must keep a record of sent items until a judgment or final order is entered and all appeals have been completed.
If you owe any part of the arrears to the State of Michigan, you must serve the Office of Child Support (OCS) with a copy of what you filed. Mail one copy of the Motion Regarding Payment Plan/Discharge of Arrears with attachments at least 56 days before the hearing date to:
OCS Central Operations
Arrears Payment Plan Review Unit
PO Box 30744
Lansing, MI 48909-8250
If you stated in your motion that you owe arrears to another agency/person (line 1(g)), you must also mail a copy of the Motion Regarding Payment Plan/Discharge of Arrears with attachments to that agency or person at least nine days before the hearing date.
If you filed a Fee Waiver Request, you must also send the other party or parties a copy of the Fee Waiver Request and a copy of the court's decision on your request.