About Livingston County FOC
The Livingston County Friend of The Court (FOC) handles a wide range of issues surrounding family law, including divorce, child custody, parenting time and the general welfare of children. When marriages are dissolved, courts are tasked with how to divide assets among spouses. In situations where children are involved, family courts deal with issues surrounding child custody, child support, visitation rights, etc. Normally this is not a simple process and assistance is required in order to sort things out. The FOC works with all parties involved to assist in the handling of these issues.
The Livingston County FOC gives an overview of the forms required to be completed, however they cannot tell a person what to specifically include on the forms themselves. The primary purpose of the FOC in this role is to guide both parties through the process, not provide legal advice. It is therefore strongly recommended for anyone involved in child custody and family law cases to make sure they’re protected by consulting with an experienced Livingston County family lawyer that has knowledge and expertise in both state law and the family court system.
Livingston County FOC Overview
The Livingston County FOC’s first task during the process of a divorce and ensuing custody battle is to act as an independent investigator into the family situation, gathering information which will then be used to make recommendations to the court. This will normally include recommendations regarding custody as well as things such as visitation rights and how responsibility for child support should be divided as well as the amount each party is entitled to.
The recommendations made by the FOC are mostly based on interviews conducted with both the parents as well as the children involved. In addition to this, all documentation is reviewed and any relevant factors explored by the Friend of The Court before their recommendations are made in order to ensure any children involved are properly cared for. The goal is to make sure the children have stability in the home and that the environment is conducive to their mental and physical wellness. The ability of the children to have a meaningful relationship with both parents is also an important factor taken into consideration during this process.
Sometimes parents fail to meet their obligations laid out after these custody proceedings have been settled. In this situation, the Friend of The Court will become involved in order to enforce the custody orders and any child support orders that may also be in place.
Listed below are links from the Livingston County Friend of The Court’s website that offer additional information and assistance:
Michigan Child Support Formula Manual
Livingston County FOC Location
Located just northwest of the core region of Metro-Detroit, Livingston County encompases an area of approximately 585 square miles with a population of just over 180,000 residents. Bordered by Oakland County to the east and Washtenaw county to the south, Livingston County is part of the group of counties encompassing the greater Detroit area. The Livingston County Friend of The Court is located in the Livingston County Judicial Center just outside of downtown Howell. Their address, contact information and hours are listed below:
Address
210 S Highlander Way
Howell, MI 48843
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Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
Speak with a Livingston County Family Law Attorney
One of the most stressful things you will deal with in life is divorce and child custody disputes. While the FOC can be of great assistance in deciding what is in the best interest of the children, they are not authorized or qualified to give legal advice, It is therefore important if you are facing divorce, custody disputes or other family law issues to consult a licensed attorney specializing in Livingston County family law.
The expert lawyers at Kelly & Kelly have over 30 years of experience representing and defending clients in cases involving divorce, child custody, child support and more. Our attorneys have the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to represent your best interests in Michigan’s family court system. If you require a legal professional for your family law matters, please contact our office today to set up a consultation.
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