It is not uncommon for even well-meaning and responsible parents to fall behind on child support. The person may lose employment or other immediate financial obligations might arise. When that unpaid child support remains in arrears for a certain period of time, many states then report that to the credit bureaus.
According to the Michigan state website, it reports child support payments that fall into arrears after two months. The state might also resort to several other tactics to prompt payment such as revoking a passport when the amount gets to $2,500.
When parents pay the amount due
Once back child support shows on a credit report, often, the only way to remove it is to pay it. Experian reports that the respective creditor generally shows the account as paid in full, but it may not happen immediately. Instead, it may take a month or two months for that change to reflect on a person’s credit report.
How to dispute paid support
If after paying the amount in full and waiting for two months, the delinquency remains on the credit report, Experian recommends disputing it. The affected individual may do this by mail, over the phone or online. If possible, parents should also gather any documentation available as proof of payment in full.
Note that providing cash to the other parent does not usually clear arrears. Instead, parents need to use the approved payment options that Michigan recognizes and tracks. Parents who already made payments in person via cash, personal check or other means might have the opportunity to provide proof to the Friend of the Court.