Frequently Asked Questions

You must file a complaint with the County Clerk to start a new divorce. The County Clerk's Office has a packet of do-it-yourself forms available for purchase. Contact an attorney for further information. You may also call Legal Services at 800-968-0044 or visit https://michiganlegalhelp.org/.

All new cases are started by filing the proper petition with the County Clerk. The Friend of the Court does not provide forms to start a new case. We suggest that you contact an attorney for assistance. You may also call DHHS at 866-540-0008.

You may request a change by filing a motion. When you file a motion, you must explain why you believe there is proper cause for your request, or that there has been a change of circumstances since the last order was entered. You must also show that the requested change is in the best interests of your child(ren). For child support only, you may submit a written request for a statutory review if it has been at least 3 years since your last review or the entry of your last order. 

The parties may also agree to modify their Order by signing a written agreement that is then submitted to the Court for approval (called a "Stipulation and Order"). Once the signed agreement is received by the Friend of the Court, an appointment will be scheduled to assist in drafting the agreement into a Stipulation and Order.

When a payer of support gets behind by an amount equivalent to 2 months' support, the Friend of the Court will schedule a show cause hearing. If a payer fails or refuses to pay, enforcement actions include, but are not limited to, tax refund interception; liens on property; suspension of driver's, occupational, and sporting licenses, credit reporting; and jail.

You may submit a written request for a temporary reduction of support if you were laid off due to lack of work. Contact the Support Review Specialist, Kaleigh Hoskins, at 989-224-5138 for more information.

You may file a written complaint with the FOC. A complaint form is available on the Custody and Parenting Time page. Upon receipt of your complaint, your caseworker will determine the appropriate enforcement action. Please note that complaints submitted more than 56 days after an alleged violation will not be addressed. You may also choose to file a Motion for an Order to Show Cause on your own or with the assistance of an attorney.

Either of the parties of the case and their attorneys of record.

The Friend of the Court cannot and will not discuss the case with anyone else.