January 27, 2009

    LANSING -  Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his Child Support Division recovered more than $15 million and helped hundreds of families in 2008, setting a new record for the total amount recovered in a single calendar year.  The division targets deadbeat parents that have the means to pay child support, but refuse to pay.

    "Michigan's children deserve the protection and support owed to them," said Cox.  "My office will continue to be a symbol of hope for the thousands of Michigan children who continue to go without the support they deserve."

    The Child Support Division is unique, and doesn't cost the State of Michigan anything to operate, but rather recovers nearly $20 for ever general fund dollar allocated to the division.  In 2008, the division cost the State of Michigan $787,300 to operate.

    "I'm proud of the accomplishments of the Child Support Division," said Cox.  "I'm proud we are able to help families and children across Michigan."

    In 2003, Cox formed a Child Support Division to tackle Michigan's growing problem of unpaid child support.  Each year, the division continues to recover more and more money for the State of Michigan and for Michigan's children.

    Since the inception of the division, more than $66 million has been recovered, and according to the United State Department of Human Services, 60,000 children in Michigan now receive the child support they deserve.  The U.S. Department of Human Services number represents families that were owed support and are now receiving support.  Since 2003, the division itself has directly assisted more than 6,000 children.

    If you are in need of help, please contact the Child Support Division by either visiting www.michigan.gov/agchildsupport or calling 517-373-1111.

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