Friend of the Court

**Effective November 18, 2020**

 

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, 


Eaton County Trial Courts are CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

 

A drop box is available inside the front doors of the courthouse during business hours.  

When alternative methods of conducting business are unavailable or impractical, a scheduled appointment may be made with the appropriate court department.   Information on conducting court business can be found below for all court departments.    

Members of the public are required to wear face coverings to the extent they can medically tolerate it.  Masks will be provided by the court prior to entry.


Eaton County Return to Full Capacity Amended Phase 2 

 


 Circuit Court Clerks 

            Email:  circuitcourtclerk@eatoncounty.org to submit pleadings electronically.

            Phone:  517-543-4346

            Link to Circuit Court Clerks Office website:

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

 

District Court Civil

            Email:  districtcourtcivil@eatoncounty.org to submit pleadings electronically.

            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

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

            Link to District Court Criminal website:

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

Online payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com                

Enter PLC# 6701

Email: districtcourt@eatoncounty.org

 

District Court Traffic

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

Online payments can be made at:  www.govpaynow.com                

Enter PLC# 6701

Traffic Ticket Pricing Chart:  Traffic Ticket Pricing 

Link to District Court Traffic webpage:

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

Email:             traffic@eatoncounty.org

 

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

            

Friend of the Court 

 

            Phone:             517-543-6850

            Link to Friend of the Court webpage:

Juvenile Court 

            Phone:             517-543-6003

            Link to Friend of the Court webpage:

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

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

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