• Secures financial information for support recommendations
• Conducts investigations for custody and parenting time recommendations;
• Strives to settle disputes without Court intervention
• Schedules cases for Courts
• Holds referee hearings and mediation sessions
• Finds absent parents
• Arrests and arraigns persons when bench warrants are issued for failure to appear at enforcement hearings

The Friend of the Court also provides many outreach programs to assist persons in domestic relations cases.

• Comply with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and court orders
• Provide quality custody, parenting time and support services to individuals in domestic relations litigation efficiently and effectively
• Continue to enhance methods of operation through the use of technology
• Develop and provide staff training
• Increase use of conciliation, mediation and education to reduce conflict

• Use of Electronic Funds Transfer/Electronic Data Interchange (EFT/EDT) for receipt and disbursement of support payments
• Installation of an automated attendant and voice response system (VRU)
• Incorporated state information into its system to locate absent individuals and identify any outstanding bench warrants for child support
• Schedule and operate nationally recognized SMILE Program for divorcing parents

• Conducts investigations & makes recommendations regarding custody, parenting time, and child support.
• Provides formal and informal mediation services to settle custody & parenting time disputes.
• Enforces custody & parenting time orders through administrative and judicial actions. Examples:
  • Contempt of Court - Orders to Show Cause (OSC)
  • Communication counseling, anger management classes, parenting skills training, etc.
  • Suspension of driver's, occupational and/or recreational licenses.
  • Makeup parenting time.
  • Motions to modify custody and/or parenting time.
• Enforces 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.
  • Referrals to job placement services.
  • Referrals to the County Prosecutor, State Attorney General, or U.S. Attorney for criminal prosecution.
• Holds Early Intervention Conferences (EICs) to assess divorce cases, and acquaint parties with FOC services.
• Administers orientation and co-parenting program - "Start Making It Livable for Everyone" (SMILE).
• Provides 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.
• Assists the Citizens Advisory Committee in recommending improvements to FOC office operations.
• Works in partnership with the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) and State Department of Human Services (DHS formerly FIA).

The FOC cannot:

• Provide legal representation or advice.
• Enforce personal protection orders.
• Investigate claims of criminal activity, including spousal abuse and child abuse.