Frequently communicates with clients, attorneys, and other related agencies as appropriate. Fields a variety of questions regarding child support, parenting time and custody issues pertaining to court orders as well as Friend of the Court procedures, with the primary focus on support related issues. Modes of communication include but are not limited to in-person meetings, telephone calls, mail correspondence, email correspondence, as well as Two-Way Communication. Provides parties and attorneys with legal forms as well as specialized Friend of the Court forms. Ensures compliance with the Confidentiality/Security requirements outlined within the Michigan IV-D Child Support Manual when conducting any type of communication.
Identifies and verifies income sources, updates source of income information within the Michigan Child Enforcement System (MiCSES), and issues or modifies income withholding orders as needed. This may include but is not limited to employers, Unemployment Insurance Agencies, Social Security Administration, as well as various agencies distributing insurance or workman’s compensation related claims. Reaches out to employers for updated addresses, personnel contact, employee disclosures, and for income withholding related issues.
Upon request, provides parties with the Order Waiving Child Support form. Reviews the form for accuracy and relevant signatures.
Analyzes and works alerts within the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES) as well as a multitude of various specialized reports to assist in determining the proper course of action to ensure compliance with court ordered child support, medical support, child care, and spousal support.
Reviews delinquent cases to determine which enforcement remedies may be best suited to regain compliance with court orders. This analysis may be prompted by client contact or via report analytics. Contacts payers of support to explain what is needed to regain compliance with the court order and assess any barriers they may be encountering. Determines if additional enforcement measures should be taken and takes appropriate action if needed.
Conducts an ability-to-pay analysis to determine if a case should be set for a show cause hearing. If appropriate, prepares and files a Notice of Contempt Hearing for Failure to Pay Support.
Reviews cases scheduled for show cause hearings to determine if the matter should proceed to hearing or if another course of action is warranted. This may include but is not limited to adjourning or dismissing scheduled hearings.
Monitors court ordered supervision and/or compliance payment arrangements to determine if the payer is in compliance with the ordered amounts or if a request for a warrant should be submitted.
Reviews active bench warrants to determine if a warrant should be recalled based upon recent payments or other circumstances. Negotiates with payers of support to address a potential resolution of warrants, including options such as voluntary hearings, lump sum payments, or income withholding orders.
Prepares files for bench warrant hearings as needed. This includes but is not limited to gathering the payment history, the Payer’s Agreement to Referee Bench Warrant/Show Cause Recommendation form, as well as the Bench Warrant Order form. Enters the count numbers pertaining to previous show cause hearings, bench warrants, and contempt findings into the within the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES).
Processes returned mail and conducts client locate efforts as needed. Tools utilized may include but are not limited to federal locator services, state locator services, postal verifications, Accurint, Business Objects, online research, as well as communicating with jails, prisons, probations officers, and parole officers. Updates the alternate, legal, mailing, and residential address fields within the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES) in accordance with Friend of the Court policy to ensure compliance with the Michigan IV-D Child Support Manual as well as the State Court Administrative Office requirements.
Tracks the incarceration status of payers of support. Tools utilized may include but are not limited to various jail records, Vinelink, Inmate Info, Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Communicates with jails, prisons, rehabilitation centers, probation officers, as well as parole officers as needed. Enters incarceration information into the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES).
Utilizes incarceration data to ensure compliance with statutory requirements pertaining to abatements and child support reviews. If appropriate, prepares and files a Notice of Redirection or Abatement of Child Support. If appropriate, upon release of incarceration refers the matter to the Investigations department for a child support review.
When appropriate, ensures Notice and/or Proof of Service is filed with the Circuit Court Clerk, mailed to parties and to attorneys of record. Prepares and files a separate Proof of Service, if needed. Uploads copies of Notice and Proof of Service into the Friend of Court virtual filing system.
Reviews and initiates the abatement due to incapacitation process. This includes but is not limited to reviewing the court order to determine if the relevant language is included, assessing if the payer of support has any other means to pay, and ensuring the payer has provided supporting documentation of the alleged incapacitation.
Reviews delinquent cases to determine if the matter should be referred to a Senior Enforcement Specialist for license suspension consideration or to a Court Services Officer for a consideration of a felony action.
Under the supervision of supervisory staff, may initiate the garnishment process for unclaimed property with the Department of Treasury.
Reviews data entered into the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES) to ensure it is in compliance with the most recent court order. This may include but is not limited to addresses, employers, charge amounts, balance adjustments, and effective dates of orders. Reviews language contained within support related orders to ensure compliance with statutory and court rule requirements. Reviews out going correspondence to clients in relation to charge amounts and balance adjustments to ensure accuracy.
Reviews cases that are not charging support to determine if the matter should be referred for IV-D closure or made inactive.
May be assigned for interstate enforcement duties. Assists in registering foreign and out-of-state orders for enforcement of child support in Michigan. Initiates registration of orders originated in Michigan for enforcement in other states and countries. Serves as liaison with enforcement agencies of other countries and/or states. Utilizes specialized applications and websites focused on intergovernmental communication and enforcement.
Assists in training new Child Support Enforcement Specialists by allowing new employees to shadow them, answers questions, and provides instruction on how to complete relevant tasks.
Provides feedback to supervisory and managerial staff with the implementation of new policies or procedures which affects enforcement efforts.
Performs routine coverage for other Child Support Enforcement Specialists due to absences or vacancies.
May be required to appear and testify in hearings.
Attends various trainings to ensure compliance with continuing education requirements, as well as to ensure adherence with any developments or changes within the field.
May assist in conducting community outreach as requested.
Performs other duties as assigned.
