A support order means any order entered by the circuit court that requires the payment of support. Support may include:

• Child support
• Spousal support (alimony)
• Expenses of medical, dental and other health care
• Health insurance premiums
• Child care expenses
• Birth and confinement expenses and
• Educational expenses.

In 1975, the U. S. Congress established the IV-D child support program in an effort to coordinate services and benefits available to families with dependent children. This program expanded the support enforcement options to include such tools as income tax refund offset and federal parent locator.

IV-D services are provided by the FOC and the Prosecutor in Michigan. To receive IV-D services the parent can complete the Verified Statement and IV-D Application Form obtained from the FOC office, Prosecuting attorney's office or a DHS support specialist.

The IV-D system can provide assistance with:

• Establishment of a child support order
• Support enforcement
• Reviews and modifications
• Paternity establishment (prosecuting attorney through DHS)
• Absent parent locating