Friend of the Court

Effective June 21, 2021


Eaton County Courts advanced to Phase 4

of the Return to Full Capacity at the direction of the State Court Administrative Office. 


* Facial coverings, social distancing and health screenings are no longer required for members of the public entering the courts. 


* Unvaccinated persons are encouraged to wear face coverings when in crowded courtrooms or proceedings. 


* Alternative means of conducting court business can continue. Specific department contact information can be found below. 


District Court Civil

           Email:  districtcourtcivil@eatoncounty.org

            Phone:  517-543-4064 

            Link to District Court Civil Office website:

http://www.eatoncounty.org/391/District-Court-Civil

 

Payment for filings can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com             

Enter PLC# 8882

 

Filing fee chart:  Filing Fee Chart

 

District Court Criminal

Email:  districtcourt@eatoncounty.org

Phone:  517-543-4029             Fax:  517-543-1469                            

            Link to District Court Criminal website:

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/432/District-Court-Criminal

Payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com                

Enter PLC# 6701

 

District Court Traffic

Email:  traffic@eatoncounty.org

Phone:  517-543-3359             Fax:  517-543-1469                            

Link to District Court Traffic webpage:

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/438/District-Court-Traffic

Payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com                

Enter PLC# 6701

Traffic Ticket Pricing Chart:  Traffic Ticket Pricing 

Circuit Court Clerks  

            Email:  circuitcourtclerk@eatoncounty.org

            Phone:  517-543-4346             Fax:  517-543-4475

            Link to Circuit Court Clerks Office website:

http://www.eatoncounty.org/162/Circuit-Court-Clerk

 

 

Probate Court 

            Email:  probateoffice@eatoncounty.org

            Phone: 517-543-7500  ext.1276, 1277, 1278

            Link to Probate Court webpage:         

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/451/Probate-Court

Payment for filings can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com              

Enter PLC# 8881

            

Friend of the Court 

 

            Phone: 517-543-6850              Fax:  517-543-9980

            Link to Friend of the Court webpage:

Juvenile Court 

            Phone: 517-543-6003              Fax: 517-543-3749

            Link to Juvenile Court webpage:

https://mi-eatoncounty.civicplus.com/359/Juvenile-Court

            Payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com                

            Enter PLC# 6358






        

New Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy:

Effective January 1, 2020 a new Friend of the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) policy will go into effect. This new policy is set forth in a Local Administrative Order approved by the State Court Administrative Office, and was developed to be in compliance with a new Michigan Court Rule, MCR 3.224. 

The intent of the new court rule was to improve the FOC ADR procedures, create uniformity of the ADR processes provided by the various Friend of the Court offices throughout the state, and to expedite the Friend of the Court ADR process.

Highlights of the new ADR procedures include the following:  

  • The prior Conciliation Conference will be replaced by a Facilitation Information Gathering Conference (or FIG Conference for short). Additional FOC ADR processes will include Joint Meetings and Domestic Relations Mediation.
  • Time lines for FOC Investigators issuing proposed interim orders following the FIG Conference have been expedited.
  • Time lines for FOC Investigators issuing recommendations and recommended orders following referrals for investigations and joint meetings have been expedited.
  • Specific guidelines and tools for screening and addressing domestic violence, protective orders, and CPS involvement to protect parties.
  • Facilitation and Encouragement for attorneys to participate in all FOC ADR processes.
  • Policies and provisions to object to ADR participation and ADR interim and proposed orders.
  • To read or print a copy of the new EATON COUNTY FRIEND OF THE COURT MCR 3.224 ADR LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER, CLICK HERE    

Role & Functions

The Friend of the Court is an entity created by statute to assist the Family Court in establishing, enforcing, and modifying orders regarding:

  • Child custodypexels-photo-2224949 (2)
  • Child care expenses
  • Child support
  • Domicile
  • Parenting time
  • Uninsured medical costs

The Friend of the Court investigates and issues reports and recommendations regarding these issues. The Friend of the Court additionally provides mediation for domestic relations cases which attempts to amicably resolve disputes between parties in a nonadversarial fashion.

Hearings Held

The Friend of the Court holds Referee Hearings involving all of these issues and also holds show cause hearings to enforce child support, parenting time, and spousal support orders.

The Friend of the Court provides Conciliation Hearings at the beginning of new domestic relations cases to address the issues of child custody, support, and parenting time.

Supporting Statutes

See the Friend of the Court Act, Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 552.501; the Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act, MCL 552.601.

FAQpisture

  1. My order states that I cannot move my children from the state of Michigan without approval of the Court. How do I get the Court's approval?
  2. Why won't the Friend of the Court enforce what the Judge said in Court, even if it is not in the written order?
  3. Can the Friend of the Court enforce the property settlement provisions contained in my Judgment of Divorce?
  4. What is a Friend of the Court Referee and what can they do?
  5. What can the Friend of the Court do to find a missing parent?
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