The Friend of the Court became a unit in the Family Division of the Circuit Court on January 1, 1998.
The role of the Friend of the Court (FOC) Office is to provide services to parties with minor children involving divorce, family support, and paternity. Friend of the Court Handbook
The FOC is responsible for investigating and making recommendations to the court in regards to custody, parenting time, child support, and medical support. Once the Court enters an order pertaining to those issues, the FOC assists in enforcing those written orders.
The FOC will:
The role of the Friend of the Court (FOC) Office is to provide services to parties with minor children involving divorce, family support, and paternity. Friend of the Court Handbook
The FOC is responsible for investigating and making recommendations to the court in regards to custody, parenting time, child support, and medical support. Once the Court enters an order pertaining to those issues, the FOC assists in enforcing those written orders.
The FOC will:
- Conduct investigations and make recommendations regarding custody, parenting time, child support, and medical support
- Enforce the Court order regarding custody and parenting time through administrative and judicial actions. Examples:
- Makeup parenting time.
- Contempt of Court - Order to Show Cause (OSC)
- Motion to modify custody and/or parenting time.
- Enforce support orders through administrative and judicial actions. Examples:
- Income Withholding Notices (IWNs).
- Contempt of Court - Orders to Show Cause (OSC)
- Interception of federal and state income tax refunds.
- Suspension of driver's, occupational and/or recreational licenses.
- Passport denials.
- Liens on real and personal property.
- Seizure of financial assets.
- Provide forms and instructions for filing custody, parenting time, and support motions as well as grievances.
- Assists the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) in collecting, recording, and distributing support payments.
- Works in partnership with the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.The FOC cannot:
- Provide legal representation or advice.
- Enforce personal protection orders.
- Investigate claims of criminal activity, including child abuse or neglect.
- Provide formal or informal mediation services to settle custody and parenting time disputes. These duties are referred to UPCAP Mediation Services.
| Contact: | Robyn E Bourgeois - Director Phone: 906-863-8981 Fax: 906-863-2649 Click here to email |
| Mailing Address: | Courthouse - 1st Floor
839 10th Avenue Menominee, MI 49858 Map |
| Hours: | 7:30 a.m. CST - 4:30 p.m. CST |