Friend of the Court
The Friend of the Court is established as an arm of the Circuit Court to examine all records and files in divorce cases where orders or decrees have been issued with dependent minor children involved. The Friend of the Court makes recommendations to the Circuit Court on matters concerning custody and support, receives accounts, and disburses child support and alimony payments.
A handbook explaining Friend of the Court functions is available below under the "Other Useful Links" section or through the Friend of the Court Office.
The Friend of the Court, Prosecutor, and the Office of Child Support continually assist each other by providing information that may be available in helping to locate an absent parent, establish paternity, secure support, or prosecute fraud relating to paternity and/or child support.
News and Information:
Child Support Orders to be Charged Monthly
Click here for a further explanation of converting & prorating monthly support amounts.
On December 1, 2002, Michigan joined a majority of states by charging child support in a monthly amount instead of weekly amounts.
The change is required under recent state legislation aimed at improving the Friend of the Court system. In the past, parents who paid child support were charged on a weekly basis. In addition, the day that child support was charged varied among Michigan's 83 counties.
Under the new law, child support is charged to the paying parent on the first day of the month, a requirement that applies to all Michigan counties. That monthly amount must be paid in full by the end of the month. In cases where child support is deducted from a parent's wages, child support payments will continue to be made each time the parent is paid.
Because child support will be charged on the same date state-wide, Michigan's Friend of the Court offices can more easily report child support information to federal authorities. Michigan's child support program receives federal funding; to receive that funding, the state must compile a monthly report on child support collections.
The new law also permits child support payers to pay up to one month's child support in advance, as long as child support is still due. If the payer makes an overpayment, the Friend of the Court will hold it until the next child support pay date. If the amount of overpayment is more than one month's worth of support, the new law requires the Friend of the Court to return the excess funds to the payer.
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Phone System
Our new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone system, at (989) 895-4295, allows you to access to current account information 24 hours a day.
Some information that is available on the IVR system:
- Last Payment & Balance
- Last 3 Payments & Balance
- Show Cause Hearing Info
- Bench Warrant Info.
- Income Withholding Info
To access your information you will need your social security number and your PIN.
Don't have a PIN? Click here
Telephone and Walk-in Hours
| Weekday |
Telephone Hours & Walk-in Hours |
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| Monday |
10:00am - 3:00pm |
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| Tuesday |
10:00pm - 3:00pm |
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| Wednesday |
10:00am - 3:00pm |
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| Thursday |
10:00pm - 3:00pm |
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| Friday |
10:00am - 3:00pm |
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Telephone and Walk-in Hours are for Support Enforcement only.
Family Evaluators/Mediators Do Not see Walk-Ins at any time. |
Services:
Change of Domicile Change of Residence Custody Friend of the Court Forms Medical Enforcement Parenting Time
Other Useful Links:Michigan Office of Child Support Family Independence Agency Federal Office of Child Support EnforcementNational Fatherhood InitiativeMichigan's One Court of Justice -- State Court Administrative OfficeFriend of the Court HandbookBay County Court Calendar