Lansing, Michigan – Michigan’s Attorney General spoke about a big milestone: the state’s Child Support Unit has collected more than $450 million for kids since it started. The team, which is part of the Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Division, has been looking for parents who can pay support but choose not to for more than 20 years. It has directly helped about 31,000 kids in Michigan.
The most recent fiscal year reveals that the endeavor is still making progress. State officials said that the unit got $28.2 million in overdue payments in only the last year. Attorney General Dana Nessel said that the results showed how hard her team and the various partners who worked on the case, such as county prosecutors and the Friend of the Court, were.
Nessel emphasized that the mission is rooted in protecting children’s well-being.
“I am proud of the incredible work our Child Support Unit does to make sure Michigan children are properly supported,” Nessel said. “I also want to thank the Friend of the Court and the many county prosecutors who work alongside us each day to hold accountable those who can pay child support but refuse to. Every child deserves stability and the assurance that their parents are contributing to their well-being. My office will continue to stand with Michigan’s children and ensure they receive the support they deserve.”
The unit’s work was also praised by state health officials. Elizabeth Hertel, head of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, stated that making sure people pay their child support benefits families and gives kids a better chance at a better future. She said that the right kind of financial help can mean the difference between instability and long-term growth for many young people.
The Child Support Unit works on instances where there are a lot of unpaid child support payments, usually more than $5,000 or two years’ worth of payments. By targeting those who purposefully refuse to pay, the division boosts the authority of the courts while alleviating pressure on the state budget. Many of the seized money will go back to custodial parents who had already received public aid. The State Department of Treasury has already gotten back more than $3.2 million this year.
If parents are having trouble getting their child support payments made on time, they can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Child Support Unit or contact 517-335-7560 for help. Officials said the unit will keep pushing for accountability and make sure that Michigan kids get the help they need.