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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
Payment for filings can be made at:
www.govpaynow.com Enter PLC# 8881
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:
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 custody
- 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.
- 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?
- Why won't the Friend of the Court enforce what the Judge said in Court, even if it is not in the written order?
- Can the Friend of the Court enforce the property settlement provisions contained in my Judgment of Divorce?
- What is a Friend of the Court Referee and what can they do?
- What can the Friend of the Court do to find a missing parent?
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Friend of the Court
Physical Address
1045 Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, Mi 48813
Fax: 517-543-9980
Alternate Phone: 517-543-6850
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Phone: 877-543-2660
Hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Allen Schlossberg
Friend of the Court and Family Court Referee
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Stephan Holland
Asst. Friend of the Court and Family Court Referee