Attorney Information

FOC Parenting Time Policy

P.O. Box Change -  The FOC is no longer using a post office box number. Therefore, please do not use P.O Box 566 in our address as mail addressed to that address will not reach the FOC.

Our correct mailing address is:  Ottawa County Friend of the Court , 414 Washington,
Room 225, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Objections to Recommended Orders - If you are an attorney representing a client who is objecting to a FOC recommended review/modification order or parenting time order and you do not wish to use the colored Objection forms provided to your client, please send your objection directly to the FOC, not Circuit Court Records, as de novo hearings on these objections are scheduled by the FOC.  If your objection is sent to Circuit Court Records, the FOC, unaware that an objection has been filed, may incorrectly submit the recommended order for entry.

Objection to 21-Day Parenting Time Order

Objection to Child Support Recommendation

Approval of Judgments of Divorce/Uniform Child Support/Spousal Support Orders - please present these documents to the Friend of the Court for approval in advance of the court date (preferably allow one week for their review and approval).  Many times corrections need to be made before the documents may be approved. Please be advised that immediate approval of these documents does not take priority over other FOC duties and responsibilities.

Divorce Cases without Children (DO cases) where spousal support is to be paid through the Friend of the Court -
Please send a copy of the spousal support order directly to the Friend of the Court office. If we do not receive a copy of the order, we will not know to start charging the spousal support obligation.

Attorneys and their staff may contact the FOC directly - at 616-846-8211. This line is for attorney/staff use only and should not be provided to clients. Clients must use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system number (616-846-8210) to contact the office.

Attorney change of information - the FOC keeps a comprehensive list of attorney contact information. Please email any changes in information to adelahuerta@miottawa.org so that we may timely contact you if needed.

Client Employer Information is needed for an IWO - Please advise your clients who are ordered to pay child support that if they do not provide the FOC with the name and address of their employer, no Income Withholding Order will be sent out. Payers will still be responsible for paying their monthly obligations and will need to send payments directly to MiSDU (Michigan Disbursement Unit) or make cash payments at the FOC until an income withholding order is in effect. Clients must identify payments to MiSDU with their case number and payer name.

FOC accepts "cash" payments only - The FOC may only accept cash payments. Staff will forward check payments to the MiSDU by mail, however, confirmation of a payment by check can only be provided by MiSDU. Other methods of payment include paying on-line with a credit card (other than Visa) or mailing a check or money order directly to the MiSDU (please include the case number and payer's name on the check).

Payee receiving child support payments - the initial payment will be in the form of a check. Enclosed with the check will be information regarding the payee's preference for receipt of future payments (US Bank Debit Reliacard or Direct Deposit).  If the payee fails to indicate a preference, the State will issue the payee a US Bank Debit Reliacard. In very limited circumstances, the payee may request to continue to receive payments by check.

New forms - SCAO has issued new forms for use effective January 1, 2013. Forms include the Uniform Child Support Order, FOC 10/52, dated 3/12, and Uniform Child Support, No Friend of the Court Services, FOC 10a/52a, dated 3/12. Attorneys may use the old form for orders entered on or before December 31, 2012.  

Uniform Child Support Order

Uniform Child Support Order - No Friend of the Court Services

Custody Motions - If an attorney is unfamiliar with the custody process in Ottawa County, the attorney may contact the Friend of the Court office for more information and for forms used in filing a pre-judgment or post-judgment motion to change custody. Non-attorneys are directed to the Legal Self-Help Center in the Grand Haven Courthouse for forms and instructions regarding the custody process.

BUSINESSES

CIRCUIT COURT

DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY GOV