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

1. State of Michigan Court Approved Forms

2. MiCase - Access your child support case online.

3. Friend of the Court Handbook (PDF) – Contains material that further describes the general duties of the Friend of the Court and some legal terminology.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Request for Enforcement of Medical Expenses (PDF) – This form is to be completed whenever a reimbursement for medical expense arises.

8. 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.

9. Parenting Time Complaint Form (PDF)

10. Ordinary Medical Expense Described (PDF)

11. Ordinary Medical Expense Log (PDF)

12. Current Personal Information Form (PDF) -   This form is for name and  address changes and for medical insurance information updates.

13. Pro Per Case with Minor Children - Steps Prior to Hearing for Entry of Temporary Order or Final Judgment  (PDF) - Order Entry Instructions

14. Financial Info Request Form (PDF)

15. Uniform Child Support Order (PDF)

16. JIF Form (PDF)

17. FOC Form 50 - Motion Regarding Support (PDF)

18. FOC Form 51 - Motion Regarding Support Response (PDF)

19. FOC Form 65 - Motion Regarding Parenting Time (PDF)

20. FOC Form 66 - Motion Regarding Parenting Time Response (PDF)

21. FOC Form 87 - Motion Regarding Custody (PDF)

22. FOC Form 88 - Response to Motion Regarding Custody (PDF)

23. Paying by Credit Card Instructions - www.GovPayNow.com

24. Child Care Verification Form

25. www.MichiganLegalHelp.org

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