Michigan law created Friend of the Court in 1919. At least one office serves each Circuit Court’s Family Division.

Friend of the Court offices have the following duties:

• When parents cannot agree, or when directed by the judge, to conduct investigations and make reports and recommendations to the court regarding:
   
  • Custody,
  • Parenting time (which may include transportation),
  • Amount of child support (including medical support, and sometimes spousal support.)
     
• To offer mediation, when both parents agree to participate, as an optional way of settling disagreements about custody or parenting time.
• To provide enforcement services on custody, parenting time, and support orders.

Friend of the Court offices’ child support enforcement responsibilities were mainly created pursuant to requirements of the Social Security Act. In Michigan, the child support program is administered by the Office of Child Support in cooperation with Friend of the Court offices. The Office of Child Support is part of the Family Independence Agency. It is responsible for administering federal child support program funds, coordinating location of absent parents, and managing the process for income tax intercepts.

Helpful Links

• State of Michigan Court Approved Forms
• Friend of the Court Handbook (PDF) – Contains material that further describes the general duties of the Friend of the Court and some legal terminology.
• Reasonable Parenting Time Policy (PDF) – This policy has been developed for those situations when parents cannot reach an agreement, and a parenting time schedule is not otherwise addressed through an Order.
• Make-Up Parenting Time Policy (PDF)  – Policy drafted by the Newaygo County Friend of the Court as a means of ensuring that parenting time rights are upheld, that missed parenting time is routinely made up, and that the parties themselves assume the principal responsibility for the operation of the parenting time program.
• Parenting Time Enforcement Policy (PDF) – This policy recognizes that the maintenance and enhancement of a child’s relationship with both parents is crucial to the future development, success and prospects of the child.
• Supervised Parenting Time Policy (PDF) – This policy was created to ensure the safety or well being of child(ren) during parenting time (visitation).
• Request for Friend of the Court Records Policy & Form (PDF) – This policy addresses questions regarding who can request records as well as which records can be requested. The accompanying form was designed to provide the rights of parties who request information from their Friend of the Court file.
• Payee Dismissal/Direct Pay Credit Form (PDF) – This form is to be completed whenever a direct payment is made and accepted in lieu of support.
• Request for Enforcement of Medical Expenses (PDF) – This form is to be completed whenever a reimbursement for medical expense arises.
• Parenting Time Abatement (PDF) – Complete this form whenever the non-custodial parent for six(6) consecutive overnights or more, unless otherwise state in an Order.
• Parenting Time Complaint Form (PDF)
• Ordinary Medical Expense Described (PDF)
• Ordinary Medical Expense Log (PDF)
• Current Personal Information Form (PDF) -   This form is for name and  address changes and for medical insurance information updates.
• Pro Per Case with Minor Children - Steps Prior to Hearing for Entry of Temporary Order or Final Judgment  (PDF) - Order Entry Instructions
• Financial Info Request Form (PDF)

1092 Newell Street PO Box 885
White Cloud MI  49349
Phone (231) 689-7260      Fax  (231) 689-7015