What To Know About The Wayne County FOC

The Wayne County Friend of The Court (FOC) deals with issues surrounding family law, such as divorce, child custody, parenting time and general welfare of children. When a marriage is dissolved, it is up to the courts to decide how assets are divided among spouses. When children are involved in the dissolving of a marriage, family courts handle issues such as child custody, visitation rights, child support, etc. More often than not, this isn’t a simple process and therefore the assistance of an FOC is required.

The Wayne County Friend FOC will give general advice as to what forms to fill out; however they cannot tell you what to include on the forms themselves. Their role in this regard is primarily guidance – it is not legal advice. In order to make sure you’re protected and in the best situation, it is strongly advised to consult with an experienced Wayne County family lawyer that is an expert in both state law and the family local court system.

Form used to determine child custody from the Wayne County Friend of The Court

Overview Of The Court System

The Wayne County FOC’s first task during a divorce< and custody battle is to independently investigate the family’s situation and make their recommendations to the court. Generally speaking, this will include recommendations as to who should have custody and when, who has visitation rights and who is responsible for child support and for how much.

The FOC makes these recommendations based on interviews with both the parents and the children. They review all necessary documentation and explore any other relevant factors before making their recommendations to the courts. The overall goal of this is to ensure that any children involved are cared for properly. This includes them having stability as well as mental and physical wellness. The ability for the children to have a relationship with both parents is also taken into account.

Unfortunately, there are times when a parent fails to meet their obligations after the custody proceedings. If this becomes an issue, the Friend of The Court will get involved to enforce the custody and/or child support orders.

Below are some links from the Wayne County Friend of The Court’s website that may be of additional assistance:

Child Support FAQ

Enforcing a Support Order

How Do I Enforce My Parenting Time?

Make Up Parenting Time

MDHHS Handbook for Understanding Child Support

Wayne County Friend of The Court Location

Located at the center of the Detroit Metropolitan Area, Wayne County covers 673 square miles and has the largest population of any county in Michigan with 1.7 million people. It is bordered by Oakland and Macomb counties to the north, Washtenaw County to the West and Monroe County to the southwest. The Wayne County Friend of The Court is located in Downtown Detroit on the 1st floor of the Penobscot Building. Their address, contact information and hours are listed below:

Address
1st Floor Penobscot Building
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226
Get Directions
Hours: Monday –Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Speak With an Attorney For Wayne County Family Law

Divorce and child custody are some of the most stressful things you’ll deal with in life. While the FOC is there to help decide what is in the best interest of the children, they do not give legal advice; therefore, if you’re going through a divorce, custody battle or other family law related issues, it is wise to consult with an attorney specializing in family law in Wayne County.

At Kelly & Kelly we have over 30 years of experience representing clients in cases involving divorce and child custody. Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to represent your best interests through Michigan’s family court system. Additionally, our law office is located in Northville, MI so we’re very familiar with the Wayne County court system. If your case requires a legal professional, contact our office and set up a consultation today.

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