State, Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement ex rel. Michigan v. Branch

CROW, Presiding Judge.

The Division of Child Support Enforcement (“DCSE”) of the Department of Social Services appeals from a decision of the Circuit Court of Scott County (“the trial court”).1 The litigation arose from an attempt by DCSE to collect child support from Leother Branch. A coherent discussion of the issues confronting us is possible, if at all, only after a chronological account of the case’s extraordinary journey to this court.2

The saga began August 12,1992, when the Director of DCSE signed a document designated “Administrative Order on an Existing Order.” The document was…