| Friend
of the Court Information |
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| Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ) |
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I
have a specific parenting time schedule that I would like to
change. What can I do? |
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The other party is not following the parenting time order.
What can I do? |
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I
am concerned that my child(ren) are being abused when with the
other parent. What can I do? |
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My
child does not want to engage in parenting time with the other
parent. What can I do? |
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The other parent is not paying support as ordered. What can I
do? |
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My
court order states I am to pay support through the Friend of
the Court. Can I pay the other parent directly? |
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Is
the Friend of the Court responsible for making sure the child
support money is being spent on the children? |
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| Q. |
I
have a specific parenting time schedule that I would like to
change. What can I do? |
| A. |
The Friend of the Court offers the following services to
parents to assist them with custody and parenting time issues:
1.) Consent Orders: If both parents agree that they
want a change in their Court Order the Friend of the Court
will assist them in developing an order that contains their
agreement. This service is provided to Friend of the Court
customers for a small charge.
2.) Mediation: If parents recognize that they need
assistance in resolving a custody and/or parenting time
dispute, the Friend of the Court offers mediation services. If
both parties agree, a referral will be made to a mediator who
is trained to assist parents in resolving custody and/or
parenting time disputes. Mediation is a way to resolve your
conflicts without expensive and costly litigation. This
service is provided to Friend of the Court customers at no
charge.
3.) Family Counseling: Some limited funds are available to
provide counseling services to Friend of the Court customers.
Counseling may be appropriate for parents as well as child. |
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| Q. |
The other party is not following the parenting time order.
What can I do? |
| A. |
File a written complaint with the Friend of the Court. If
the Friend of the Court believes the Parenting Time Order
has been violated, it shall start enforcement action. Do
not call the police. The only time that the police
should be called is if the child or the parties are in
immediate danger. Calling the police for parenting
time disputes is very traumatic for the child. Most law
enforcement agencies do not become involved in settling
custody and/or parenting time disputes and will only refer
the parents to the Friend of the Court. |
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| Q. |
I am concerned that my child(ren) are being abused when with
the other parent. What should I do? |
| A. |
Report your concerns to the Protective Services unit of the
Department of Human Services. You may also wish to provide,
in writing, a copy of the your concerns to your Friend of
the Court office so that they may be a part of your file.
The Friend of the Court office, however, does not, by law,
have the authority to investigate and remove children in
abuse or neglect matters. This is done by Protective
Services through your local Juvenile Branch of Family Court. |
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| Q. |
My child does not want to engage in parenting time with the
other parent. What can I do? |
| A. |
Parents are to obey Court Orders, regardless of the child's
age. It is the parents responsibility to promote a positive
relationship with the child and the other parent. |
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| Q. |
The other parent is not paying support as ordered. What can
I do? |
| A. |
Contact the Friend of the Court for enforcement if support
is one month overdue. You may also contact an attorney to
start enforcement action. |
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| Q. |
My court order states I am to pay support through the Friend
of the Court. Can I pay the other parent directly? |
| A. |
No. Not without a change in your Court Order and having that
Order filed with a Court Clerk. If you fail to do so, you
might not receive credit for the payment. |
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Q. |
Is the Friend of the Court responsible for making sure the
child support money is being spent on the children? |
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A. |
No. The law does not give anyone the authority to verify how
child support payments are being sent. |
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| If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call
the Friend of the Court office at (269) 467-5570. |
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| Links |
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| Office of Child Support Public Website |
| Michigan
State Disbursement Unit (SDU) |
| Federal
Office of Child Support |
| MI
Child (Insurance) |
|
Michigan Child Support Formula Manual |
