A “support order” is any court order that requires a parent or ex-spouse to pay:

            *  Child Support

            *  Spousal Support

            *  Medical, dental, and other health care expenses

            *  Confinement expenses (the mother’s childbirth costs and medical bills)

            *  Child care expenses

            *  Educational expenses

All support orders state a specific amount of money that is due for the support of each minor child.  When a child support order is entered, the court will order that the payments be automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s paycheck.   The employer sends payments to the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU).  Support is charged the first day of the month and is considered past due if not paid by the last day of the month.  When an order takes effect on a day other than the first day of a month (or ends on a day other than the last day of the month), the support amount must be prorated for the partial month.  The law says that when an arrearage is equal to or greater than one (1) month of support, the FOC must initiate enforcement proceedings.