Michigan's One Court of Justice
What is Parenting Time?
The Role of the Court
Making the Most of Parenting Time
Role of Friend of the Court
Evaluating Cases
Enforcing Parenting Time
Dispute Resolution
What the FOC Cannot Do
Michigan Parenting Time Guideline
Frequently Asked Questions
Links
The Role of the Friend of the Court
Joint Meetings and Other Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods
  • The friend of the court may schedule a joint meeting with you and the other parent. A person employed by the friend of the court will conduct the meeting and try to help you and the other parent to reach an agreement. If you cannot agree, the friend of the court may submit a recommended order to the court. If you or the other parent do not object to the recommended order, the court will sign it and it will become a court order. If either parent objects, the court will hold a hearing to consider the proposed order and the objection.
Parent

  • "Other alternative dispute resolution" can mean any other type of meeting between you and the other parent. In other forms of alternative dispute resolution, the rules relating to statutory domestic relations mediation and joint meetings do not apply. The friend of the court may be more active in attempting to resolve the dispute and may make recommendations to the court or take action to enforce an existing court order while trying to help the parents work out an agreement.
Judge