About Friend of the Court

The Friend of the Court is an entity created by statute to assist the Family Division of Circuit Court in establishing, enforcing, and modifying orders related to custody, parenting time, domicile, child support, childcare expenses, and medical expenses.

Our staff understands that we work with sensitive matters involving your children, your family, and your finances. Our goal is to help both parents work together in the best interests of their children.

The Friend of the Court provides a wide range of services, including facilitative and information-gathering conferences, joint meetings, support reviews, child support enforcement, medical enforcement, and enforcement of custody and parenting time provisions.

For more information, please review the following resources:

•  Friend of the Court Handbook (PDF) 
•  Parenting Time Guidelines (PDF) 
•  Holiday Schedule (PDF) 

Start Making It Livable for Everyone (SMILE) Program

The Start Making It Livable for Everyone (SMILE) program is an educational program for divorcing or separated parents with children under the age of 18.

This required one-session program is held virtually using the Zoom platform and lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

The program helps parents understand how conflict between them affects their children, how to communicate positively, and how to be flexible and cooperative as co-parents when making decisions.

Other parents interested in attending the SMILE program may do so by joining a scheduled session on a date of their choosing.