Basic Information

The Friend of the Court (FOC) assists the family court in cases involving child custody, parenting time, and support by enforcing court orders, conducting investigations, making recommendations, offering mediation, coordinating support payments through the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU), and reviewing cases for possible modifications.

Basic Information
Circuit Court Family Division

The Circuit Court Family Division decides divorce, paternity, custody, and support matters. The Friend of the Court helps the Circuit Court administer and enforce cases involving these issues. The FOC is part of the Circuit Court and is supervised by the Chief Judge. FOC employees are court employees.

Friend of the Court Duties:

  • Enforcement of child support orders
  • Enforcement of custody and parenting time orders
  • Reviewing the amount of child support consistent with the Michigan Child Support Formula
  • Reviewing orders and judgments to ensure compliance with legal requirements
  • Investigating and making recommendations to the Court about custody and parenting time issues
  • Facilitating mediation services for custody and parenting time issues
  • Provides forms that parties may use to file motions and responses regarding custody, parenting time, support, change of domicile, and repayment plans

The FOC has no authority and CANNOT

  • Give Legal Advice
  • Investigate Neglect or Abuse
  • Investigate Criminal Activity
  • Change an Order
Communication with the FOC
Only limited case-specific, or general, non-case specific, information can be given over the telephone. This is to protect your privacy and the confidentiality of your case. If you have specific questions or concerns about your case, you must communicate with the FOC office in writing so that complete and accurate information is recorded in the casefile. Written communication between the FOC and the parties ensures that a complete record is maintained. Requests for enforcement of custody, parenting time, or support orders must be in writing. Whenever you communicate with the FOC, always include your case number AND keep a copy of your communication.
Keep the FOC Informed of Changes
All domestic relations cases require each party to keep the FOC advised of changes in vital information concerning your case. This means that you must provide the FOC with a written notice of any changes of:
  • Names, Addresses, Telephone Numbers, Email Addresses
  • Medical Insurance
  • Financial status including bankruptcy, unemployment, disability
  • Physical custody of the child
  • Marital status of parties and minors
  • A child’s high school graduation date
  • Reconciliation of parties
  • Legal Guardianships/Adoptions
  • Termination of parental rights
  • Death of a party or child
  • Any other activity in any other court affecting your child.

You may use the following form to report vital changes to the FOC: Change of Personal Information Form.