About Us


Friend of the Court


  •  
  • Jeremy Hogue,  Friend of the Court
  • Tracie Mullen, Deputy Friend of the Court

Case Managers

The Friend of the Court has 8 Case Managers. The Friend of the Court's caseload averages 6,400 cases and all cases are assigned to a Case Manager, resulting in an average caseload of 750 cases.

While you can visit our office during office hours to make payments, obtain forms, drop off documents, and receive general information, you will not be able to meet with your case manager without an appointment.
 


Statutory Responsibilities

Michigan law created Friend of the Court offices in 1919. At least one office serves each Circuit Court’s Family Division. The 13th Circuit Friend of the Court serves Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau Counties.

Friend of the Court offices have the following statutory responsibilities and duties:

  • When parents cannot agree, or when directed by the Judge, to conduct investigations and make recommendations to the Court regarding:
    • Child support (including medical support)
    • Custody
    • Parenting time
  • To offer mediation, when both parents agree to participate, as an alternative to litigation.
  • To enforce the orders of the Court regarding custody, parenting time, and child support.

Friend of the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution- Local Administrative Order (LAO)

What the Friend of the Court Does Not Do

The Friend of the Court works with your case through a set of legally prescribed actions. The Friend of the Court does not provide any emergency services. 
 
If you believe some action regarding yourself or your child demands immediate attention, a police agency, a hotline service, or Child Protective Services or the Department of Human Services should be contacted. Moreover, the Friend of the Court does not: 
  • Address issues that are not contained in the Court’s orders
  • Arrest individuals
  • Give legal advice or prepare pleadings (complaints, motions, briefs, etc.) for parties
  • Provide counseling
  • Provide private investigative services
  • Represent or advocate for either of the parents
Note: Friend of the Court does not start lawsuits or cases.