The Oakland County Friend of The Court (FOC) handles issues involving divorce, child custody, parenting time, and more. When it comes to the dissolution of a marriage, courts need to decide which spouse gets which assets. Also, when children are involved, courts must determine how custody will work. Unfortunately, this process isn’t always simple so an FOC is sometimes necessary to assist them.

The Oakland County FOC provides basic guidance. For example, if you need to file a motion, they can tell you what forms to fill out. With that said, they cannot tell you what to include in the form. In other words, the FOC can help guide you; however, they do not provide legal advice.

If you have legal issues involving divorce or family law, it’s advised to consult with an experienced Oakland County family lawyer that understands both state law, and the local court system.

Oakland County FOC Overview

The top section of a Oakland County Friend of Court form that’s titled stipulation and order custody and parenting time.

The first thing the Friend of the Court is charged with during a custody battle is to conduct an independent investigation of the family’s situation and make a recommendation to the court. This recommendation will cover who should have custody and when, who should have visitation rights, and who should pay child support and how much.

The Friend of the Court will conduct interviews with both parents as well as the children. They will then review the necessary documents and look into other relevant factors. Their ultimate goal is to make sure that the children involved have proper care, stability, and mental and physical wellness, and make sure they have a relationship with both parents.

If a parent fails to meet their obligations after the custody proceedings, then the Friend of the Court steps in to enforce custody and support orders.

For the benefit of the reader, here are some Oakland County Friend of The Court forms taken directly from the court’s website.

Motion to Change Support Order for Child Support
Parenting Time Questionnaire
Filing a Motion
Consent Custody Order

Oakland County Friend of The Court Location

Oakland County is part of the metropolitan Detroit area and is located northwest of Detroit. This is the second largest Michigan county by population only behind Wayne County.

The Oakland County Friend of Court is located at Elizabeth Lake Rd and Telegraph. You can obtain the address and driving directions below.

230 Elizabeth Lake Rd
Pontiac, MI 48341
Website
Driving Directions

What Can The FOC Help With?

It’s no secret that divorce is very common in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that 45 percent of marriages will ultimately end in divorce.

A Friend of the Court is a person who is retained by the family court during complicated child custody battles to help sort out the details of custody, parenting time, and child support. They conduct an investigation during the divorce proceeding and can assist the former spouses or partners in the enforcement of child custody and child support orders.

Ultimately, the goal of the Friend of the Court is to determine what is in the best interest of the child or children.

The Friend of the Court is provided to the parties in the child custody dispute free of charge both during the proceeding and after. Think of the Friend of the Court as a neutral third-party who referees child custody disputes.

Speak With a Family Law Attorney

Getting divorced and dealing with child custody issues is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever go through. When custody issues get complicated, an FOC helps the court determine what is in the best interest of the children.

As previously discussed, the FOC cannot provide you with substantive legal advice. If you are going through a divorce, custody battle, or other legal issues it’s important to contact an attorney to help you through the process.

The family law firm of Kelly & Kelly P.C has decades of experience in Michigan family law cases, particularly within Oakland County. If you have further questions, contact us.

Call Our Team: 248-348-0496
After Hours: 248-733-5021
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