The office of the Friend of the Court will provide forms and instructions to any party who wishes to file this type of motion without the benefit of an attorney. However, it is important to remember that the court will still hold you to the same rules to which an attorney would be held. There may be many complex issues involved in a custody case and you may wish to have an attorney represent you. The Friend of the Court cannot file a petition for you nor can they provide you with an attorney. The Friend of the Court offers domestic relations mediation whenever there is a custody dispute.
Mediation allows a neutral third party to assist parents in voluntarily settling a custody dispute.
Both parties must agree to participate in this process. The court may order parties to receive counseling. Michigan law provides that a child may enroll in a school district where either parent resides, regardless of which parent has custody. Where a child regularly resides in two school districts as a result of a joint custody order, the child may attend school in either or both of the districts. This report must be provided before the court takes any action on the recommendation.