reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.504a - Citizen Advisory Committee; Scope; Duties; Subcommittees; Meetings Open to the Public; Exception.

552.504a Citizen advisory committee; scope; duties; subcommittees; meetings open to the public; exception.
Sec. 4a.
(1) A citizen advisory committee is advisory only. Once established, the citizen advisory committee shall do all of the following:
(a) Meet not less than 6 times annually. The citizen advisory committee shall keep minutes of each meeting and submit a copy to the county board.
(b) Review and investigate grievances concerning the friend of the court as provided in section 26.
(c) Advise the court and the county board on the office of the friend of the court's and the friend of the court's duties and performance, and on the community's needs relating to the office's services.
(d) At the end of each calendar year, submit an annual report of its activities to the county board, court, state court administrative office, governor's office, and standing senate and house committees and appropriations subcommittees that are responsible for legislation concerning the judicial branch.
(2) A citizen advisory committee chairperson may appoint subcommittees comprised of 3 committee members to review, investigate, and hold hearings on grievances submitted to the citizen advisory committee as provided in section 26. The chairperson may serve on a grievance subcommittee and shall attempt to appoint members so that each member has an equal opportunity for subcommittee participation.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a citizen advisory committee meeting is open to the public. A member of the public attending a meeting shall be given a reasonable opportunity to address the committee on an issue under consideration by the committee. If a vote is to be taken by the citizen advisory committee, the opportunity to address the committee shall be given before the vote is taken. A citizen advisory committee meeting, including a meeting of a subcommittee appointed under subsection (2), is not open to the public while the committee or subcommittee is reviewing, investigating, or holding a hearing on a grievance as provided in section 26.
History:
Add. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 210, Eff. Oct. 1, 2004
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.504b - Information and Records to Be Provided to Citizen Advisory Committee.

552.504b Information and records to be provided to citizen advisory committee.
Sec. 4b.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), and under the chief judge's supervision, the office shall provide the citizen advisory committee with a grievance filed as provided in section 26 and access to records and information necessary for the committee to perform its functions as prescribed by this act, including the following:
(a) Case records and other information pertaining to the case of a party who has filed a grievance with the citizen advisory committee.
(b) Information regarding the procedures used by the office to carry out its responsibilities as defined by statute, court rule, or the bureau.
(c) Information regarding the administration of the office of the friend of the court office, including budget and personnel information.
(2) The following information shall not be provided to a citizen advisory committee:
(a) Information defined as confidential by supreme court rule.
(b) Case information subject to confidentiality or suppression by specific court order, unless the court that issued the order of confidentiality determines, after notice to the parties and an opportunity for response, that the requested information may be made available to the citizen advisory committee without impairing the rights of a party or the well-being of a child involved in the case.
(3) A citizen advisory committee shall be provided a judge's or referee's notes pertaining to a case only at the chief judge's express direction.
(4) A citizen advisory committee has access to records of a mediation session only if the court determines, after notice to the parties and an opportunity for a response, that access would not impair the rights of a party to the case or the well-being of a child involved in the case.
(5) Upon request of a citizen advisory committee and under the chief judge's supervision, the office shall annually provide the committee with information pertaining to a random sampling of grievances. If requested by the committee and at the supreme court's direction, the state court administrative office shall assist the office in devising a statistically significant random sampling.
History:
Add. 1998, Act 551, Eff. Mar. 1, 1999
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.504c - Information and Records as Confidential; Disclosure; Penalty; Grounds for Dismissal.

552.504c Information and records as confidential; disclosure; penalty; grounds for dismissal.
Sec. 4c.
(1) A citizen advisory committee, its members, and its staff shall consider as confidential a record or other information to which they have access in order to perform their functions under this act and shall properly safeguard its use and disclosure.
(2) A person listed in subsection (1) who discloses a record or other information described in subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(3) A citizen advisory committee member's unauthorized disclosure of a record or information described in subsection (1) is grounds for removal from the committee.
(4) A committee staff member's unauthorized disclosure of a record or information described in subsection (1) is grounds for dismissal.
History:
Add. 1998, Act 551, Eff. Mar. 1, 1999
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.507a - Making Report, Recommendation, and Supporting Documents Available to Attorneys and Parties; Informing Parties in Child Custody Dispute or Guardian Concerning Preference Expressed by Child; Availability of Information.

552.507a Making report, recommendation, and supporting documents available to attorneys and parties; informing parties in child custody dispute or guardian concerning preference expressed by child; availability of information.
Sec. 7a.
(1) A copy of each report, recommendation, and any supporting documents or a summary of supporting documents prepared or used by the friend of the court or an employee of the office shall be made available to the attorney for each party and to each of the parties before the court takes any action on a recommendation by the office.
(2) In a child custody dispute, the parties shall be informed of whether a custody preference expressed by the child was considered, evaluated, and determined by the judge, referee, or employee of the friend of the court. The parties shall not be informed of the preference expressed by the child under section 3 of the child custody act of 1970, 1970 PA 91, MCL 722.23.
(3) If a guardian is appointed for a child, the guardian shall be informed whether a custody preference expressed by the child was considered, evaluated, and determined by the judge, referee, or employee of the friend of the court, and, if so, the preference expressed.
(4) The manner and time within which the information required under this section is made available shall be determined by the Michigan court rules.
History:
Add. 2004, Act 210, Eff. Oct. 1, 2004
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.508 - Expediting Relief; Methods.

552.508 Expediting relief; methods.
Sec. 8.
The circuit court shall utilize referees and take other appropriate action to expedite obtaining relief in the form of child or spousal support in domestic relations matters, including the entry and enforcement of child support orders and the enforcement of spousal support orders, as necessary to obtain dispositions of petitions for relief within the following time frames:
(a) Ninety percent of dispositions within 3 months after filing a petition.
(b) Ninety-eight percent of dispositions within 6 months after filing a petition.
(c) One hundred percent of dispositions within 12 months after filing a petition.
History:
Add. 1985, Act 208, Eff. Mar. 1, 1986
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.509 - Duties of Office Regarding Support Payments Providing Statement of Account to Parties; Initiating and Carrying Out Proceedings to Enforce Order Regarding Custody, Parenting Time, Health Care Coverage or Support; Enforcement Orders Entered in Other State.

552.509 Duties of office regarding support payments providing statement of account to parties; initiating and carrying out proceedings to enforce order regarding custody, parenting time, health care coverage or support; enforcement orders entered in other state.
Sec. 9.
(1) The office may accept a support payment made in cash or by cashier's check or money order. If the office accepts such a payment, the office shall transmit the payment to the SDU and shall inform the payer of the SDU's location and the requirement to make payments through the SDU.
(2) Promptly after November 3, 1999, each office shall establish and maintain the support order and account records necessary to enforce support orders and necessary to record obligations, support and fee receipt and disbursement, and related payments. Each office shall provide the SDU with access to those records and shall assist the SDU to resolve support and fee receipt and disbursement problems related to inadequate identifying information.
(3) The office shall provide annually to each party, without charge, 1 statement of account upon request. Additional statements of account shall be provided at a reasonable fee sufficient to pay for the cost of reproduction. Statements provided under this subsection are in addition to statements provided for administrative and judicial hearings.
(4) The office shall initiate and carry out proceedings to enforce an order in a friend of the court case regarding custody, parenting time, health care coverage, or support in accordance with this act, the support and parenting time enforcement act, and supreme court rules.
(5) Upon request of a child support agency of another state, the office shall initiate and carry out certain proceedings to enforce support orders entered in the other state without the need to register the order as a friend of the court case in this state. The order shall be enforced using automated administrative enforcement actions authorized under the support and parenting time enforcement act.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 241, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 144, Eff. Mar. 25, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 365, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 63, Eff. Aug. 10, 1998 ;-- Am. 1999, Act 150, Imd. Eff. Nov. 3, 1999 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 571, Eff. June 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 210, Eff. Oct. 1, 2004 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 382, Eff. Mar. 17, 2015
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.509a - Centralized Receipt and Disbursement of Support and Fees.

552.509a Centralized receipt and disbursement of support and fees.
Sec. 9a.
The SDU is responsible for the centralized receipt and disbursement of support and fees. An office of the friend of the court may continue to receive support and fees.
History:
Add. 1999, Act 150, Imd. Eff. Nov. 3, 1999 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 233, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 2010
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.511a - Payment of Health Care Expense; Complaint; Sending Copy of Complaint and Notice to Parent; Objection; Hearing.

552.511a Payment of health care expense; complaint; sending copy of complaint and notice to parent; objection; hearing.
Sec. 11a.
(1) A complaint seeking enforcement for payment of a health care expense must include information showing that all of the following conditions have been met:
(a) The parent against whom the complaint is directed is obligated to pay the child's uninsured health care expenses, a demand for payment of the uninsured portion was made to that parent within 28 days after the insurers' final payment or denial of coverage, and that parent did not pay the uninsured portion within 28 days after the demand.
(b) If the state court administrative office, under the supervision and direction of the supreme court, establishes a minimum threshold for the enforcement of health care expenses, the health care expense is equal to or greater than the established threshold.
(c) The complaint is submitted to the office on or before any of the following:
(i) One year after the expense was incurred.
(ii) Six months after the insurers' final payment or denial of coverage for the expense, if all measures necessary to submit a claim for the health care expense to all insurers that might be obligated to pay the expense were completed within 2 months after the expense was incurred.
(iii) Six months after a parent defaults in paying for the health care expense as required under a written agreement, signed by both parents, that lists the specific bills covered by the agreement, states the amount to be paid in total, and sets forth the schedule for the payment of that amount, whether by installments or otherwise.
(2) If an office receives a complaint that meets the requirements of subsection (1), the office shall send a copy of the complaint to the parent who is named in the complaint as obligated to pay the child's uninsured health care expenses. The office shall include with the copy of the complaint sent to that parent a notice advising the parent of the provisions of subsection (3).
(3) If, within 21 days after the complaint and notice are sent to a parent under subsection (2), the parent does not file with the office a written objection to the complaint, the amount of the health care expense stated in the complaint becomes a support arrearage and is subject to any enforcement process available to collect a support arrearage. If the parent files a written objection within the 21-day time limit, the office shall set a court hearing, before a judge or referee, to resolve the complaint.
History:
Add. 2002, Act 569, Eff. Dec. 1, 2002 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 233, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 2010
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.511b - Custody or Parenting Time Order Violations; Complaint; Sending Copy of Complaint to Individual Accused of Interfering; Action.

552.511b Custody or parenting time order violations; complaint; sending copy of complaint to individual accused of interfering; action.
Sec. 11b.
(1) An office shall initiate enforcement under the support and parenting time enforcement act if the office receives a written complaint that states specific facts constituting a custody or parenting time order violation. Upon request of a parent who has the right to interact with his or her child under a custody or parenting time order, an office shall assist the parent in preparing a complaint under this subsection.
(2) Within 14 days after an office receives a complaint under subsection (1), the office shall send a copy of the complaint to the individual accused of interfering and to each other party to the custody or parenting time order.
(3) If, in the opinion of the office, the facts as stated in the complaint allege a custody or parenting time order violation that can be addressed by taking an action authorized under section 41 of the support and parenting time enforcement act, MCL 552.641, the office shall proceed under section 41 of the support and parenting time enforcement act, MCL 552.641.
History:
Add. 2002, Act 569, Eff. Dec. 1, 2002
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.515 - Certain Actions by Employee Providing Domestic Relations Mediation; Prohibition.

552.515 Certain actions by employee providing domestic relations mediation; prohibition.
Sec. 15.
An employee of the office who provides domestic relations mediation in a friend of the court case involving a particular party shall not perform referee functions, investigation and recommendation functions, or enforcement functions as to any domestic relations matter involving that party.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 571, Eff. June 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 233, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 2010 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 382, Eff. Mar. 17, 2015
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.517a - Repealed. 2002, Act 571, Imd. Eff. Oct. 3, 2002.

552.517a Repealed. 2002, Act 571, Imd. Eff. Oct. 3, 2002.
Compiler's Notes:
The repealed section pertained to making form motions, responses, and orders available to individuals.
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.517c - Review of Support Order in Another State; Procedures.

552.517c Review of support order in another state; procedures.
Sec. 17c.
(1) If Michigan is the initiating state in an interstate friend of the court case involving child support, the office shall determine whether a review of a support order in another state is appropriate in accordance with section 17 and is appropriate based upon the residence and jurisdiction of the parties.
(2) If the office determines that a review of a support order in another state is appropriate, the office shall obtain income, expense, and other information needed to conduct the review from the requesting party or recipient of public assistance or medical assistance.
(3) The office shall initiate a request for a review within 20 calendar days after receipt of the information requested under subsection (2).
(4) The office shall forward to a party who resides in Michigan a copy of each notice issued by the responding state in conjunction with the review and modification of a support order, which notice is sent to the office for distribution.
History:
Add. 1994, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 7, 1994 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 571, Eff. June 1, 2003
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.517d - Motion for Modification of Parenting Time Order.

552.517d Motion for modification of parenting time order.
Sec. 17d.
(1) After a final judgment containing a parenting time order is entered in a domestic relations matter for which there is an open friend of the court case, if there is an unresolved dispute as to parenting time, the office may file a motion with the court for a modification of the parenting time order. The office shall send each party to the parenting time order notice of the filing of the motion. With a motion filed and each notice sent under this subsection, the office shall include the following:
(a) Subject to subsection (2), a written report and recommendation.
(b) Either as a separate document or in the motion document under a separate heading, a notice, in not less than 12-point, boldfaced type, that states substantially the following:
"A party may object to the office of the friend of the court's recommendation for modification of the parenting time order. If a party does not object to the recommendation within 21 days after this notice was sent to the party, the office of the friend of the court may submit to the court a parenting time order that incorporates the recommendation.".
(2) The office shall prepare a written report and recommendation required for subsection (1) after making an evaluation that is commensurate with the scope of the unresolved dispute as to parenting time.
(3) If, within 21 days after the notice under subsection (1) is sent to each party, no party objects to the recommendation for modification of the parenting time order, the office may submit an order, incorporating the recommendation, to the court for the court's adoption. If a party objects within the 21 days, the motion for modification of the parenting time order shall be noticed for a hearing before a judge or referee.
(4) At a hearing on a motion filed under this section, the judge or referee may admit a statement of fact in the office's report or recommendation as evidence to prove a fact relevant to the proceeding, but only if all parties stipulate to or no party objects to the admission of the statement of fact and no other evidence is presented concerning the fact to be proved.
History:
Add. 1994, Act 37, Imd. Eff. Mar. 7, 1994 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 144, Imd. Eff. Mar. 25, 1996 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 569, Eff. Dec. 1, 2002
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.517e - Arrearage Payment Schedules; Administrative Adjustment.

552.517e Arrearage payment schedules; administrative adjustment.
Sec. 17e.
The office shall utilize guidelines provided in the child support formula developed by the state friend of the court bureau under section 19 to administratively adjust arrearage payment schedules. In making an administrative adjustment as authorized by this subsection, the office shall follow procedures to afford the payer due process including at least notice, an opportunity for an administrative hearing, and an opportunity for an appeal on the record to an independent administrative or judicial tribunal.
History:
Add. 1998, Act 63, Eff. Aug. 10, 1998
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.520 - Information Requested by Department of Human Services.

552.520 Information requested by department of human services.
Sec. 20.
(1) If the department of human services requests information from an office of the friend of the court, that office may provide the information requested on a quarterly basis. Not less often than quarterly, the department of human services shall publish the information received under this section.
(2) If an office of the friend of the court receives notice from the department of human services under section 8 of the child protection law, 1975 PA 238, MCL 722.628, regarding a child as to whom the establishment or modification of custody or parenting time is pending in an open friend of the court case, the office shall notify the department of human services of procedural developments in the case until a final order regarding the pending custody or parenting time dispute is entered.
History:
Add. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 405, Imd. Eff. Jan. 6, 2009
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.521 - Person Appointed as Friend of the Court Under Former Act; Continuation; Transfer of Files, Records, Funds, and Pending Cases of Office Under Former Act; Employees of Friend of the Court Appointed Under Former Act to Become Employees of Corresponding Office; Employees of State Judicial Council Serving in Third Judicial Circuit to Continue in Present Positions.

552.521 Person appointed as friend of the court under former act; continuation; transfer of files, records, funds, and pending cases of office under former act; employees of friend of the court appointed under former act to become employees of corresponding office; employees of state judicial council serving in third judicial circuit to continue in present positions.
Sec. 21.
(1) Each person appointed as friend of the court under former Act No. 412 of the Public Acts of 1919 who is serving in that position on the day before the effective date of this act shall continue to serve in that position, as reconstituted by this act.
(2) All files, records, funds, and pending cases of an office of the friend of the court under former Act No. 412 of the Public Acts of 1919 are transferred to the corresponding office as reconstituted by this act.
(3) Except in the county of Wayne, the employees of a friend of the court appointed under former Act No. 412 of the Public Acts of 1919 shall become employees of the corresponding office of the friend of the court as reconstituted by this act, in similar positions, and with salary ranges and benefits not inferior to their status under former Act No. 412 of the Public Acts of 1919. In the county of Wayne the employees of the state judicial council serving in the court in the third judicial circuit and supervised by the friend of the court on the day before the effective date of this act shall continue in their present positions.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983
Compiler's Notes:
Act 412 of 1919, referred to in this section, was repealed by Act 294 of 1982.
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.522 - Appointment of Attorney to Assist Friend of the Court; Compensation.

552.522 Appointment of attorney to assist friend of the court; compensation.
Sec. 22.
If the friend of the court serving a judicial circuit is not an attorney who is a member of the state bar of Michigan and that office does not employ such an attorney, the chief judge may appoint an attorney who is a member of the state bar of Michigan to assist the friend of the court when legal assistance is necessary to carry out the duties imposed in this act. An attorney appointed under this section to assist an office shall be compensated in the manner provided under section 27.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 382, Eff. Mar. 17, 2015
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.523 - Vacancy; Appointment of Person to Position of Friend of the Court or Interim Friend of the Court; Experience or Education.

552.523 Vacancy; appointment of person to position of friend of the court or interim friend of the court; experience or education.
Sec. 23.
(1) If the position of friend of the court becomes vacant for any reason, the chief judge shall appoint a person to the position of friend of the court not later than 6 months after the vacancy occurs. An appointment under this subsection is not effective until approved by a majority of the circuit, probate, and district court judges serving in all districts that have any area in common with the geographic area served by that friend of the court.
(2) If necessary, the chief judge may appoint an interim friend of the court to serve for not longer than 6 months until a friend of the court is appointed and approved under subsection (1).
(3) A friend of the court appointed under this section is an at-will employee and shall demonstrate experience or education in 1 or more of the following areas:
(a) A human service or behavioral science field.
(b) Family law.
(c) Administration.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.524 - Annual Review of Performance Record of Friend of the Court; Public Notice and Comments; Written Evaluation; Written Response; Copies.

552.524 Annual review of performance record of friend of the court; public notice and comments; written evaluation; written response; copies.
Sec. 24.
(1) The chief judge annually shall review the performance record of each friend of the court serving that circuit to determine whether the friend of the court is guilty of misconduct, neglect of statutory duty, or failure to carry out written orders of the court relative to a statutory duty; whether the purposes of this act are being met; and whether the duties of the friend of the court are being carried out in a manner that reflects the needs of the community being served. Public notice of the annual review shall be given.
(2) Members of the public may submit written comments to the chief judge or county board relating to the criteria in subsection (1). The citizen advisory committee may advise the court and the county board regarding the criteria in subsection (1). The court shall prepare a written evaluation, which shall include a summary of any public comments received and of any citizen advisory committee report or recommendation. The court and county board may also, in a written response, address the recommendation of the citizen's advisory committee concerning the general operations of the citizen's advisory committee. The friend of the court and the bureau shall each receive a copy of the evaluation. The friend of the court shall have an opportunity to make a written response to the evaluation. A copy of the response shall be included with the evaluation.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.525 - Removal of Friend of the Court; Approval.

552.525 Removal of friend of the court; approval.
Sec. 25.
The chief judge may remove the friend of the court. A removal under this section is not effective until approved by a majority of the circuit, probate, and district court judges serving in all districts that have an area in common with the geographic area served by that friend of the court.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.527 - Compensation and Expenses of Friend of the Court and Employees.

552.527 Compensation and expenses of friend of the court and employees.
Sec. 27.
The compensation and expenses of the friend of the court for each judicial circuit and of the employees of the office and all operating expenses incurred by the office shall be fixed by the chief judge as provided in section 591 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.591. The compensation and expenses shall be paid by the county treasurer from the general fund and the friend of the court fund created under section 2530 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2530, of the county or counties served.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 233, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 2010
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.528 - Compilation of Data.

552.528 Compilation of data.
Sec. 28.
Each office of the friend of the court shall compile data as required by the state court administrative office, under the supervision and direction of the supreme court.
History:
Add. 1996, Act 365, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 233, Imd. Eff. Jan. 8, 2010
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.531 - Repealed. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997.

552.531 Repealed. 1996, Act 366, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
Compiler's Notes:
The repealed section pertained to definitions.
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.533 - Repeal of MCL 552.251 to 552.255.

552.533 Repeal of MCL 552.251 to 552.255.
Sec. 33.
Act No. 412 of the Public Acts of 1919, as amended, being sections 552.251 to 552.255 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, is repealed.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.534 - Conditional Effective Date.

552.534 Conditional effective date.
Sec. 34.
This act shall not take effect unless the following House Bills of the 81st Legislature are enacted into law:
(a) House Bill No. 4871.
(b) House Bill No. 4873.
(c) House Bill No. 5257.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983
Compiler's Notes:
The following House Bills, referred to in this section, were enacted into law as follows:House Bill No. 4871 was approved by the Governor on October 9, 1982, and became P.A. 1982, No. 295, Eff. July 1, 1983.House Bill No. 4873 was approved by the Governor on October 9, 1982, and became P.A. 1982, No. 296, Eff. July 1, 1983.House Bill No. 5257 was approved by the Governor on October 9, 1982, and became P.A. 1982, No. 297, Eff. July 1, 1983.
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 294 of 1982 - Friend of the Court Act (552.501 - 552.535) › Section 552.535 - Effective Date.

552.535 Effective date.
Sec. 35.
Except as provided in section 34, this act shall take effect July 1, 1983.
History:
1982, Act 294, Eff. July 1, 1983
Popular Name:
Friend of the Court
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.601 - Short Title.

552.601 Short title.
Sec. 1.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "support and parenting time enforcement act".
History:
1982, Act 295, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 25, Eff. June 1, 1996
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.603a - Failure to Pay Support; Surcharge; Calculation; Assessment; Collection; Enforcement.

552.603a Failure to pay support; surcharge; calculation; assessment; collection; enforcement.
Sec. 3a.
(1) Subject to subsection (6), for a friend of the court case, if the court determines that the payer has failed to pay support under a support order and the failure was willful, the court may order that on January 1 and July 1 of each year, a surcharge be added to support payments that are past due as of those dates. The surcharge shall be calculated at 6-month intervals at an annual rate of interest equal to 1% plus the average interest rate paid at auctions of 5-year United States treasury notes during the 6 months immediately preceding July 1 and January 1, as certified by the state treasurer. The amount of the surcharge shall not compound. The amount shown as due and owing on the records of the friend of the court as of January 1 and July 1 of each year shall be reduced by an amount equal to 1 month's support for purposes of assessing the surcharge. Except as provided in subsection (5), a surcharge ordered by the court applies until abated by the court.
(2) A surcharge ordered under subsection (1) shall be assessed on a semiannual cycle on January 1 and July 1 of each year except as otherwise provided under subsection (3).
(3) A surcharge shall not be assessed for the current semiannual cycle in any of the following circumstances:
(a) Beginning on July 1, 2005, in a case in which the friend of the court is collecting on a current child support obligation and the payer has paid 90% or more of the most recent semiannual obligation during the semiannual cycle.
(b) In a case in which a support order is entered after July 14, 2004, for any period of time a support order did not exist if support is later ordered for that period.
(c) If the surcharge is waived or abated under a court order under section 3d.
(4) A surcharge added under this section shall be collected and enforced by any means authorized under this act, the friend of the court act, or another appropriate federal or state law for the enforcement and collection of child support and paid through the state disbursement unit.
(5) A surcharge ordered under this section in an order entered before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection is terminated on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection. Another surcharge shall not be ordered in the action unless the surcharge is ordered by the court under subsection (1).
(6) After the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, a court shall not order that a surcharge under subsection (1) be added before January 1, 2011.
History:
Add. 1995, Act 141, Eff. Jan. 1, 1996 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 120, Imd. Eff. Mar. 6, 1996 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 572, Eff. Dec. 1, 2002 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 276, Eff. Jan. 15, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 208, Imd. Eff. July 14, 2004 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 193, Eff. Dec. 31, 2009
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.603b - Retroactive Correction of Support Amount.

552.603b Retroactive correction of support amount.
Sec. 3b.
If an individual who is required by the court to report his or her income to the court or the office of the friend of the court knowingly and intentionally fails to report, refuses to report, or knowingly misrepresents that income, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the court may retroactively correct the amount of support.
History:
Add. 1996, Act 367, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.603d - Repayment Plan.

552.603d Repayment plan.
Sec. 3d.
(1) A party or the friend of the court may file a motion with the court for a repayment plan order that provides, subject to federal law or regulation, for discharge of amounts assessed as surcharge and for the waiver of future surcharge. The court shall enter the repayment plan order after notice and a hearing if the court finds that all of the following are true:
(a) The arrearage did not arise from conduct by the payer engaged in exclusively for the purpose of avoiding a support obligation.
(b) The payer has no present ability, and will not have an ability in the foreseeable future, to pay the arrearage absent a repayment plan that waives or discharges amounts assessed as surcharge.
(c) The payer's plan is reasonable based on the payer's current ability to pay.
(d) The surcharge accrued or will accrue after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section.
(2) Following entry of a repayment plan order under subsection (1), upon notice and hearing if the court finds that the payer has failed substantially to comply with the repayment plan, the court shall enter an order reinstating the surcharge and all or a portion of the surcharge that was discharged.
History:
Add. 2004, Act 208, Eff. June 30, 2005
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.605 - Child Support Order; Deviation From Formula; Agreement.

552.605 Child support order; deviation from formula; agreement.
Sec. 5.
(1) If a court orders the payment of child support under this or another act of the state, this section applies to that order.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the court shall order child support in an amount determined by application of the child support formula developed by the state friend of the court bureau as required in section 19 of the friend of the court act, MCL 552.519. The court may enter an order that deviates from the formula if the court determines from the facts of the case that application of the child support formula would be unjust or inappropriate and sets forth in writing or on the record all of the following:
(a) The child support amount determined by application of the child support formula.
(b) How the child support order deviates from the child support formula.
(c) The value of property or other support awarded instead of the payment of child support, if applicable.
(d) The reasons why application of the child support formula would be unjust or inappropriate in the case.
(3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit the court from entering a child support order that is agreed to by the parties and that deviates from the child support formula, if the requirements of subsection (2) are met.
History:
Add. 2001, Act 106, Eff. Sept. 30, 2001
Compiler's Notes:
Former MCL 552.605, which pertained to support orders entered before effective date of act and to withholding of income, was repealed by Act 210 of 1985, Eff. Mar. 1, 1986.
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.605a - Information to Be Provided to Office of the Friend of the Court; Health Care Coverage; Use of Guidelines; Bond.

552.605a Information to be provided to office of the friend of the court; health care coverage; use of guidelines; bond.
Sec. 5a.
(1) For a friend of the court case, a child support order entered or modified by the court shall provide that each party shall keep the office of the friend of the court informed of both of the following:
(a) The name and address of his or her current source of income.
(b) Health care coverage that is available to him or her or that is maintained by him or her; the name of the insurance company, nonprofit health care corporation, or health maintenance organization; the policy, certificate, or contract number; and the names and birth dates of the persons for whose benefit he or she maintains health care coverage under the policy, certificate, or contract.
(2) If a child support order is entered, the court shall require that 1 or both parents obtain or maintain health care coverage that is accessible to the child and is available to the parent at a reasonable cost, for the benefit of the minor children of the parties and, subject to section 5b, for the benefit of the parties' children who are not minor children. The court shall utilize guidelines as provided for in the child support formula developed by the bureau under section 19 of the friend of the court act, MCL 552.519, to determine health care coverage that is accessible to the child and available at a reasonable cost. The court shall not require both parents to provide health care coverage under this subsection unless the parents already provide coverage or both parents agree to provide coverage. This subsection does not prevent the court from exercising its discretion to order health care coverage based on the child's needs and the parents' resources.
(3) A court may require either parent to file a bond with 1 or more sufficient sureties, in a sum to be fixed by the court, guaranteeing payment of child support.
History:
Add. 2001, Act 106, Eff. Sept. 30, 2001 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 572, Eff. Dec. 1, 2002 ;-- Am. 2019, Act 26, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2019
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.605b - Child Support After 18 Years of Age.

552.605b Child support after 18 years of age.
Sec. 5b.
(1) A court that orders child support may order support for a child after the child reaches 18 years of age as provided in this section.
(2) The court may order child support for the time a child is regularly attending high school on a full-time basis with a reasonable expectation of completing sufficient credits to graduate from high school while residing on a full-time basis with the recipient of support or at an institution, but in no case after the child reaches 19 years and 6 months of age. A complaint or motion requesting support as provided in this section may be filed at any time before the child reaches 19 years and 6 months of age.
(3) A support order entered under this section shall include a provision that the support terminates on the last day of a specified month, regardless of the actual graduation date.
(4) A provision contained in a judgment or an order entered before October 10, 1990 that provides for the support of a child after the child reaches 18 years of age, without an agreement of the parties as described in subsection (5), is valid and enforceable to the extent the provision provides support for the child for the time the child is regularly attending high school on a full-time basis with a reasonable expectation of completing sufficient credits to graduate from high school while residing on a full-time basis with the recipient of support or at an institution, but in no case after the child reaches 19 years and 6 months of age. This subsection does not require payment of support for a child after the child reaches 18 years of age for any period between November 8, 1989 and October 10, 1990, or reimbursement of support paid between November 8, 1989 and October 10, 1990, in those judicial circuits that did not enforce support for a child after the child reached 18 years of age during the period between November 8, 1989 and October 10, 1990.
(5) A provision contained in a judgment or an order entered under this act before, on, or after September 30, 2001 that provides for the support of a child after the child reaches 18 years of age is valid and enforceable if 1 or more of the following apply:
(a) The provision is contained in the judgment or order by agreement of the parties as stated in the judgment or order.
(b) The provision is contained in the judgment or order by agreement of the parties as evidenced by the approval of the substance of the judgment or order by the parties or their attorneys.
(c) The provision is contained in the judgment or order by written agreement signed by the parties.
(d) The provision is contained in the judgment or order by oral agreement of the parties as stated on the record by the parties or their attorneys.
History:
Add. 2001, Act 106, Eff. Sept. 30, 2001 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 193, Imd. Eff. Dec. 28, 2009
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.606 - Support Order Entered Under Interstate Income Withholding Act.

552.606 Support order entered under interstate income withholding act.
Sec. 6.
If a support order is entered under section 6 of the interstate income withholding act, sections 7 to 23 shall apply in the same manner as if the support order had been entered originally by the court in this state, except as otherwise provided in the interstate income withholding act.
History:
Add. 1985, Act 210, Eff. Mar. 1, 1986
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.607a - Documentary Evidence of Income Withheld.

552.607a Documentary evidence of income withheld.
Sec. 7a.
The friend of the court shall not consider a payer to have an arrearage if the payer produces documentary evidence that money has been withheld from the payer's income in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required under the payer's support order. This documentary evidence includes, but is not limited to, pay stubs, wage statements, or other written income information produced by the payer's employer.
History:
Add. 1996, Act 239, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997
2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 552 - Divorce › Act 295 of 1982 - Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act (552.601 - 552.650) › Section 552.608 - Limitation on Amount of Income Withheld.

552.608 Limitation on amount of income withheld.
Sec. 8.
The total amount of income withheld under this act under all orders to withhold income for current support, past due support, fees, and health care coverage premiums effective against a payer shall not exceed 50% of the payer's disposable earnings as that term is defined in 15 USC 1672.
History:
Add. 1985, Act 210, Eff. Mar. 1, 1986 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 236, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2009, Act 193, Eff. Mar. 28, 2010