Rule 3.230.Actions Under the Summary Support and Paternity Act

Subchapter 3.200 — Domestic Relations Actions · Last verified September 5, 2026

In one sentenceMCR 3.230 sets the procedure for the expedited paternity and support actions a county IV-D agency brings under the Summary Support and Paternity Act, a track that runs on a notice rather than a summons and lets a judgment or order enter on the papers when the court is satisfied the parties had notice and the terms follow the law.

Full Text of Rule 3.230

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(A) Scope and Applicability of Rules; Definitions.

(1) Procedure in actions under the Summary Support and Paternity Act, MCL 722.1491 et seq., is governed by the rules applicable to other domestic relations actions, except as otherwise provided in this rule and the act.

(2) Definitions. For purposes of this rule

(a) "IV-D agency" means the agency in a county that provides support and paternity establishment services under MCL 722.1501.

(b) "Plaintiff" means

(i) The child's mother, father, or alleged father on whose behalf the IV-D agency files the action, or

(ii) The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services when the IV-D agency files an action on behalf of a child.

(c) "Expedited paternity action" means an action commenced to establish either paternity or paternity and support under MCL 722.1491 et seq.

(d) "Expedited support action" means an action commenced to establish a parent's support obligation under MCL 722.1499.

(B) Commencing an Action.

(1) A IV-D agency commences an expedited paternity or expedited support action by filing one of the following with the court:

(a) A complaint and notice, or

(b) A request to enter a consent agreement, and a consent judgment or order signed by the parties.

(2) Upon filing an action, the court clerk shall assign a case number and judge. The court clerk shall not issue a summons under MCR 2.102.

(3) A complaint, notice, and request for entry of a consent agreement used to initiate an action or set child support must be completed on forms approved by the State Court Administrative Office.

(4) Complaint. A complaint filed in an expedited action shall:

(a) comply with MCR 1.109, MCR 2.113, and MCR 3.206(A),

(b) be verified and signed by the mother or alleged father, or signed "on information and belief" by the IV-D agency,

(d) state the relief being requested, and either

(i) comply with MCL 722.1495 and other applicable laws and rules if filed in an expedited paternity action, or

(ii) comply with MCL 722.1499 and other applicable laws and rules if filed in an expedited support action.

(5) Notice. A notice to initiate an expedited paternity or expedited support action shall be titled "In the name of the people of the state of Michigan," and shall be signed by the IV-D agency. The notice must be directed to the defendant and:

(a) comply with MCR 1.109(D);

(b) include the name, address, and phone number of the IV-D agency filing the action;

(c) state that written responses, agreements, and other actions must be filed with the court within 21 days after being served, and if the defendant fails to file a written response pursuant to statute or take other action within 21 days, an order or a judgment may be entered granting the relief requested in the complaint without further notice or hearing; and

(d) include an expiration date, which does not exceed 126 days after the date the action is filed.

(6) Request to Enter Consent Agreement. A request for entry of a consent judgment or order to initiate an expedited paternity or expedited support action shall:

(a) comply with MCR 1.109(D)(1),

(b) contain the grounds for jurisdiction, the statutory grounds to enter the judgment or order, and a request for entry of the judgment or order without further notice; and

(7) The requirement to submit a verified statement or disclosure form required under MCR 3.206(C) does not apply to an expedited paternity or expedited support action, unless otherwise directed by the court.

(1) A complaint and notice filed under subrule (B)(1)(a) must be served on the parties by the IV-D agency in accordance with MCR 2.105, or in the alternative, may be served by mail in accordance with MCL 722.1495(4).

(2) Pursuant to MCL 722.1501(4)(c), a request to enter a consent judgment or order filed under subrule (B)(1)(b) is considered served at the time of filing, and a party's signature on the request to enter a consent agreement, judgment, or order acknowledges service.

(3) After a party has been served under subrule (C)(1) or (2), other court papers, orders, and notices shall be served in accordance with MCR 3.203.

(D) Dismissal as to Defendant Not Served.

(1) Upon expiration of the notice under subrule (B)(5)(d), the action is deemed dismissed without prejudice if the defendant has not been served with notice of the action unless the defendant has responded.

(2) A court shall set aside a dismissal of an action under this subrule without hearing upon showing by the IV-D agency within 28 days of the expiration of the notice that the defendant did in fact receive timely notice or had submitted to the court's jurisdiction before the dismissal.

(E) Setting Child Support.

(1) At the time that a complaint is filed, or any time after establishing paternity or a duty to support a child, the IV-D agency may provide notice setting a proposed support amount. The proposed support obligation shall be calculated by application of the Michigan Child Support Formula or a properly documented deviation from the amount calculated using the formula. The notice or an accompanying calculation results report must state the amounts calculated for support, the proposed effective date, and the facts and assumptions upon which the calculation is based.

(2) A notice and calculation report setting a child support amount shall be filed with the court and provided to the parties. The notice shall contain statements notifying the parties of all of the following:

(a) that objections and responses to the notice must be filed within 21 days from:

(i) the date of service, if the notice setting child support is served at the same time as the complaint and notice; or

(ii) the date of mailing or service, if the notice is served under MCR 3.203.

(b) a party may object to the proposed child support amount based on either a mistake in the facts or assumptions used to calculate support, or on an error in the calculation by filing an answer requesting a hearing on the proposed obligation;

(c) if no objection is filed, an order will be submitted to the court in the proposed amounts for entry without further notice or hearing;

(d) if an objection is filed, a hearing will be scheduled, unless the IV-D agency recalculates the amount and sends a new notice.

(3) If the IV-D agency receives information from a party after filing a notice setting a child support amount and before a support order is submitted for entry, the agency may recalculate support and issue a new notice and calculation report under this subrule proposing a corrected child support amount.

(F) Response.

(1) Within 21 days after being served with a notice under subrule (B) or a notice under subrule (E), a party must file a response with the court or take another action permitted by law or these rules. The party must serve copies of the response on the IV-D agency and the other party in accordance with MCR 3.203.

(2) The IV-D agency shall immediately forward to the court any response it receives from a party who has not filed the response with the court.

(3) A request to enter a consent agreement, or a consent judgment or order filed under subrule (B)(1)(b) does not require a response. A party may file an additional response or motion regarding issues not resolved by the agreement, consent judgment or order, or the other party filing an additional response.

(4) Within 14 days after the time permitted for responses under subrule (F)(1), if a party has filed a response, or pursuant to any matter left unresolved, the IV-D agency shall take one or more of the following actions:

(a) schedule genetic testing, if a party in an expedited paternity action requests genetic testing;

(b) schedule a hearing on any matters or relief proposed in a complaint or notice that are contested, and the IV-D agency may submit a proposed order or judgment that incorporates any proposed relief that was not contested; or

(c) submit a proposed judgment or order that incorporates any proposed relief that a party agrees to or that was not contested.

(G) Failure to Respond.

(1) Subrule MCR 3.210(B) does not apply to proceedings under this rule.

(2) If neither party in an action to establish paternity brought against an alleged father requests genetic tests and the defendant does not otherwise defend within 21 days after receiving notice, the IV-D agency may request entry of a judgment establishing defendant as the child's legal father by submitting a proposed judgment for entry.

(3) In an action to establish paternity brought by an alleged father against the child's mother, if the mother does not admit the alleged father's paternity, the court shall not determine paternity unless based on genetic test results.

(4) When a defendant does not respond or otherwise defend, the IV-D agency shall submit a proposed order that establishes the duty to support the child.

(5) If neither party files an objection to a notice setting a support amount within 21 days, the IV-D agency shall submit a support order in the recommended amounts to the court.

(6) Nonmilitary affidavits required by law must be filed before a judgment is entered in cases in which the defendant has failed to respond or appear.

(7) A judgment may not be entered against a minor or an incompetent person who has failed to respond or appear unless the person is assisted in the action by a conservator or other representative, except as otherwise provided by law.

(H) Judgments and Orders.

(1) The court may consider the complaints and other documents filed with the court, relevant and material affidavits, or other evidence when entering an order in an expedited paternity or support action.

(2) Entering Orders. The court may enter a proposed judgment or order submitted by the IV-D agency without hearing if the court is satisfied of all of the following:

(a) that the parties were given proper notice and opportunity to file a response,

(b) the statutory and rule requirements were met, and

(3) The IV-D agency seeking entry of a proposed judgment or order must schedule a hearing and serve the motion, notice of hearing, and a copy of the proposed judgment or orders upon the parties at least 14 days before the hearing, and promptly file a proof of service when:

(a) the proposed judgment involves a request for relief that is different from the relief requested in the complaint; or

(b) the IV-D agency does not have sufficient facts to complete the judgment or order without a judicial determination of the relief to which the party is entitled.

(4) If the court determines that a proposed judgment or order is not in accordance with the law or that the court needs additional information to decide the matter, the court may direct the IV-D agency or the parties to do any of the following within 14 days:

(a) submit a modified proposed judgment or order in conformity with the court's ruling;

(b) file additional affidavits or other documents and notices, or

(5) A party may waive a statutory waiting period or further notice prior to entry of a consent judgment or order.

(6) If paternity of a child has not been established and a party or IV-D agency requests genetic testing, the court may order the parties and child to submit to genetic testing without a hearing.

(7) Upon entry of a judgment or order and as provided by MCR 3.203, the IV-D agency must serve a copy as entered by the court on all parties within 7 days after entry, and promptly file a proof of service.

End

Plain-English Summary

MCR 3.230 supplies the procedure for expedited paternity and support actions under the Summary Support and Paternity Act, MCL 722.1491 et seq. Subrule (A)(1) leaves the ordinary domestic relations rules in place except where this rule or the act says otherwise. The design shows through the whole rule: carry a paternity or support case to judgment on forms and notices, and hold a hearing only where the rule calls for one.

Who brings the action

Subrule (A)(2) defines the players. A IV-D agency is the county agency that provides support and paternity establishment services under MCL 722.1501. The plaintiff is the child's mother, father, or alleged father on whose behalf the agency files, or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services when the agency files on behalf of a child. An expedited paternity action establishes paternity, or paternity and support; an expedited support action establishes a parent's support obligation under MCL 722.1499.

Two ways to start, and no summons

Under subrule (B)(1) the agency files either a complaint and notice or a request to enter a consent agreement with a judgment or order the parties have already signed. Either way subrule (B)(2) has the clerk assign a case number and judge and issue no summons under MCR 2.102. Subrule (B)(4) sets the complaint requirements, including verification and signature by the mother or alleged father, or signature on information and belief by the agency. Subrule (B)(7) lifts the verified statement requirement of MCR 3.206(C) unless the court directs otherwise.

The notice and its expiration date

Subrule (B)(5) makes the notice carry the load a summons carries elsewhere. It is titled in the name of the people of the state of Michigan, signed by the agency, and it tells the defendant that responses are due within 21 days and that an order may enter granting the requested relief without further notice or hearing if nothing is filed. It bears an expiration date no more than 126 days after the action is filed. Under subrule (D)(1) an unserved action is deemed dismissed without prejudice when the notice expires, unless the defendant responded. Subrule (D)(2) requires the court to set that dismissal aside without a hearing if the agency shows within 28 days of expiration that the defendant did receive timely notice or had already submitted to the court's jurisdiction.

Setting support

Subrule (E) lets the agency serve a notice proposing a support amount, calculated under the Michigan Child Support Formula or a documented deviation, with a calculation report stating the amounts, the proposed effective date, and the facts and assumptions behind them. A party has 21 days to object on a mistake in those facts or assumptions or an error in the calculation. Without an objection the order goes to the court for entry.

Responding, and not responding

Subrule (F)(1) sets the same 21-day window for a response, and subrule (F)(4) requires the agency, within 14 days after that window closes, to schedule genetic testing where a party in a paternity action asked for it, set a hearing on contested matters, or submit a proposed order covering what is uncontested. Subrule (G)(1) turns off MCR 3.210(B). Subrule (G)(3) draws a hard line: when an alleged father sues the child's mother and she does not admit paternity, the court may not determine paternity except on genetic test results.

Subrule (H)(2) allows entry without a hearing once the court is satisfied that the parties had proper notice and an opportunity to file a response, that statutory and rule requirements were met, and that the terms follow the law. Subrule (H)(3) pulls the other way in two situations. When the proposed judgment asks for relief different from what the complaint requested, or when the agency lacks facts enough to complete the judgment without a judicial determination, the agency must schedule a hearing and serve the motion, notice of hearing, and proposed judgment at least 14 days before it. Subrule (H)(4) lets the court send a proposed judgment back for a modified version, added affidavits, or a hearing within 14 days. After entry, subrule (H)(7) gives the agency 7 days to serve the judgment as entered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a summons issue in an expedited paternity or support action?

No. Subrule (B)(2) has the court clerk assign a case number and judge but not issue a summons under MCR 2.102. The notice described in subrule (B)(5) does that work, and subrule (C)(1) has the IV-D agency serve the complaint and notice under MCR 2.105 or by mail under MCL 722.1495(4).

How long does a defendant have to respond?

The window is 21 days. Subrule (B)(5)(c) requires the notice to say that written responses, agreements, and other actions must be filed with the court within 21 days after service, and that an order or judgment may enter granting the requested relief without further notice or hearing if the defendant does not respond. Subrule (F)(1) repeats the 21-day window for a response to a notice under subrule (B) or a notice setting support under subrule (E).

What happens if the defendant is never served?

The case falls away on its own. Under subrule (B)(5)(d) the notice carries an expiration date no later than 126 days after filing, and subrule (D)(1) deems the action dismissed without prejudice on expiration if the defendant was not served and did not respond.

Subrule (D)(2) provides the fix: the court must set the dismissal aside without a hearing if the IV-D agency shows, within 28 days of the expiration, that the defendant did receive timely notice or had submitted to the court's jurisdiction before the dismissal.

How is child support set under MCR 3.230?

Subrule (E)(1) lets the IV-D agency serve a notice proposing a support amount when the complaint is filed or any time after paternity or a duty of support is established. The amount comes from the Michigan Child Support Formula or a properly documented deviation, and the notice or an accompanying calculation results report states the amounts, the proposed effective date, and the facts and assumptions behind the calculation.

Under subrule (E)(2) a party has 21 days to object based on a mistake in those facts or assumptions or an error in the calculation. If no objection is filed, an order in the proposed amounts goes to the court for entry without further notice or hearing. Subrule (E)(3) lets the agency recalculate and reissue the notice if new information arrives before an order is submitted.

Can paternity be established without genetic testing?

Sometimes. Subrule (G)(2) says that if neither party requests genetic tests and a defendant alleged to be the father does not otherwise defend within 21 days after receiving notice, the IV-D agency may submit a proposed judgment establishing him as the child's legal father.

Subrule (G)(3) runs the other way when an alleged father brings the action against the child's mother. If she does not admit his paternity, the court may not determine paternity except on genetic test results.

When must the IV-D agency serve an entered judgment or order?

The deadline is 7 days after entry. Subrule (H)(7) requires the agency to serve a copy of the judgment or order as entered by the court on all parties within 7 days after entry, as provided by MCR 3.203, and to file a proof of service promptly.

Source & verification. Rule text reproduced verbatim from the Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 3 (Special Proceedings and Actions), as published by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office, current through September 1, 2026. Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). Last verified September 5, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: summary support and paternity actexpedited paternity actionexpedited support actioniv-d agencypaternity establishmentchild support noticenotice expiration