Family Domestic / FOC

 

Important Updates

 


newPlease note that the NFL Draft is taking place in downtown Detroit the week of April 22-26, 2024. The Friend of the Court will be open for services but traffic and parking costs may be affected by the Draft.
Please see the press release for more information.
 


The Friend of the Court hours are changing starting January 2, 2024. The Customer Service lobby at the Penobscot Building will be open for walk-in customers on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays ONLY, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (must be in line by 4:15 p.m.). Virtual Customer Service Appointments are available on Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Friend of the Court Payment Window is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (must be in line by 3:45 p.m.).

The Family Division-Domestic Relations Section filing options have changed. Please see the filing instructions below for further information. The Clerk’s office located at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center is open for in-person filings for Family Domestic on Mondays and Thursdays ONLY. The Friend of the Court Scheduling Office is open for Friend of the Court motion scheduling ONLY.

See the following links for updates on operations during this time:

 

 

 

Overview

The mission of the Wayne County Friend of Court is to serve and educate families and assist the court in domestic relations matters to promote the best interest of children.

To speak to a Friend of the Court representative regarding your Friend of the Court case, please call 1‑844‑785‑7593.

Those needing TTY services may call 1-833-936-2889.

To reach the State of Michigan’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, call 1‑877‑543‑2660.  When asked for the County, enter 929.  This system provides automated access to some payment and enforcement information for persons who have signed up for a PIN for their case.

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC)
Penobscot Building (PNB)

Ms. Erin Lincoln
Friend of the Court
(313) 224-6639
-

Assistant: Lori Kaczmarek


 

Ms. Jillian Fitzgerald
Assistant Friend of the Court - Legal Director
(313) 224-5370
-
Assistant:  Leslie George

 

Ms. Dominique Peacock
Chief Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney/Assistant Friend of the Court
(313) 224-7829
-
Assistant: Christina Rocha-Staub

 

Ms. Stephanie Witucki
Chief Referee
(313) 224-6521
-

Power Court

Penobscot Building
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Assistant:  Kim Wilson (313) 224-6521


 

Ms. Denise Fitzhugh
Director of Administrative Operations
(313) 224-6760
-

Assistant: Dawana Andrews


 

Ms. Michelle Milligan Chiaravalli
Director of Family Assessment Services
(313) 833-2828
Questions about FAME Assessments Only

 

(313) 224-2866
Courtroom 10-E, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Susan A. Dabaja

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-E

645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Crystal Palmer, (313) 224-2866

FOC Attorney:  Carl Meyer, (313) 224-6754

Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.


 
(313) 224-8178
Courtroom 11-B, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Lawrence Elassal

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-B
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Maria Walker (313) 224-8178
FOC Attorney:  Joseph Dobesh (313) 224-2230
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224-5690
Courtroom 10-F, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Regina Triplett

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-F
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Gloria Howard, (313) 224-5690
FOC Attorney:  Jonn Walinske, (313) 224-5337
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224-
Courtroom , Penobscot

Penobscot Building, Courtroom
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  
FOC Attorney: 


 
(313) 224-1790
Courtroom 11-C (sharing courtroom),Penobscot

Referee

Parenting Time Docket

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-C

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Denita Schroeder (313) 224-1790

Motions Heard: Monday, Tuesday, and alternate Fridays at 8:30 a.m.


 
(313) 224-2866
Courtroom10-D

Judge: Honorable Melissa A. Cox

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-D

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff: Crystal Palmer, (313) 224-2866

FOC Attorney: Jared Hocker, (313) 224-6992

Motions Heard at: 9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224-8178
Courtroom 11-E, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Nicole N. Goodson

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-E
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Maria Walker (313) 224-8178
FOC Attorney:  Joseph Dobesh (313) 224-2230
Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.







 
(313) 224-5037
Courtroom 10-G, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Eric Cholack

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-G
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Lisa White, (313) 224-5037
FOC Attorney:  Alyce Haas, (313) 224-7608
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224-5369
Courtroom 10-C, Penobscot

Judge: Honorable Yvonna C. Abraham

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-C

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff: Jennifer Shelton, (313) 224-5369

FOC Attorney: Jonn Walinske, (313) 224-5337

Motions Heard at: 9:00 a.m.

 
(313) 967-6787
Courtroom 11-D, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Mary Beth Kelly

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-D
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Teresa Welch, (313) 967-6787
FOC Attorney:  Carl Meyer, (313) 224-6754
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224-7164
Courtroom 10-A, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Carla G. Testani

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-A
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Tonya Little, (313) 224-7164
FOC Attorney:  Heather Lutz, (313) 967-2619
Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.


 
313-224-
Courtroom 10- , Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable 

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff: 
FOC Attorney: 
Motions Heard At: 


 
(313) 224-0072
Courtroom 11-G, Penobscot

Judge:  Honorable Alexis A. Glendening

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-G
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Hope Hale, (313) 224-0072
FOC Attorney:  Alyce Haas, (313) 224-7608
Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.


 
(313) 224-7168
Courtroom 11-F, Penobscot

Presiding Judge:  Honorable Helal A. Farhat

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-F
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Vicki Leonard (313) 224-7168
FOC Attorney:  Heather Lutz (313) 967-2619
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224-5350
Courtroom 10-B, Penobscot

Judge:  Susan A. Dabaja

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-B

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Gloria Howard, (313) 224-5690

FOC Attorney: Carl Meyer, (313) 224-6754

Motions Heard: 9:00 a.m.


 
(313) 224 - 1790
Courtroom 11-C

Referee

Parenting Time Docket

Penobscot Building,  Courtroom 11-C

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff: Denita Schroeder, (313) 224-1790

Motions Heard: Wednesday, Thursday, and alternate Fridays at 8:30 a.m.


 

Free Child Support Help:

News / Announcements

The Salvation Army William Booth Legal Aid Clinic, in collaboration with the Wayne County Friend of the Court, will hold a Free Child Support Help Program on Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at the Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus, 8200 W. Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48219 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to consult with a volunteer family law attorney about their child support issues. This will be an arrest free zone. Click here for more info.
William Booth Legal Aid Clinic - Free help with Divorce and Friend of the Courts issues. Click here for more info. 
Please note the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic will be canceled on Thursday, April 25, 2024 due to the NFL Draft AND on Thursday, May 9, 2024, due to staffing. We apologize for the inconvenience. You may visit the clinic on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The Clinic is held each Thursday, except the first Thursday of the month, at Suite 784 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. If you are unable to attend the clinic, you can call the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic at 313-361-6340.
Genetic testing is conducted at the Penobscot Building, 645 Griswold St., Detroit, MI 48226, Suite 123. Appointments are scheduled on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are only permitted on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (must be in line by 4:15 p.m.).
Wayne County Dispute Resolution, in coordination with Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan, is presenting a Parent Education Program. This program will educate parents on the Friend of the Court and about mediation. Please see the attached flier for more information.
Walk-in resolution of Friend of the Court civil child support bench warrants in Courtroom 1907 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday has been temporarily canceled. Respondents with child support bench warrants may call (313) 224-4066 to attempt to resolve their warrant telephonically.

2020 State of Emergency - Family Domestic Relations (CAYMC) Court Protocols

Mar 19, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE


STATE OF MICHIGAN
THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT



SUBJECT: State of Emergency - Court Protocols (Family Domestic Relations - CAYMC)


Pursuant to Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-2 (File No. 2020-8), Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny orders that the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan (Third Circuit Court) shall remain open for only the essential services as detailed in this Order.

All divisions of the courts are ordered to limit access to courtrooms and other spaces to no more than 10 persons, including staff, and to practice social distancing and limit court activity to only essential functions. The Family Division-Domestic Relations shall provide the following essential operations:

  • Family Domestic Relations Proceedings:
    • Cases heard at either the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC) or Penobscot Building
      • The review and determination of requests for personal protection orders (PPOs), including hearings on denied PPOs;
      • Review and determination of emergency requests to extend a PPO;
      • Initial hearing for in-custody respondent arrested for alleged violation of PPO to allow court to address issue of bond;
      • Review and determine requests for ex parte relief in domestic relations proceedings necessary for the safety and well-being of a litigant and/or children under MCR 3.207;
      • Waiver for parental consent;
      • Approving and/or Hearing Emergency Hearings as are deemed necessary by the sitting Emergency Judge.
    • Friend of the Court Proceedings and Services:
      • Arraignments on bench warrants;
      • Staff will record child support orders in MiCSES so that the State Disbursement Unit can send out child support payments;
      • To the extent it is safely possible, staff will implement income withholding notices so payments can be deducted and paid automatically;
      • To the extent it is safely possible, staff will implement national medical support notices to allow health care coverage to implement as soon as possible.
The Chief Judge will continue to hear all infectious disease cases brought by the Wayne County or City of Detroit Health Departments.

The Court further orders that to the extent possible, all essential service hearings shall be conducted remotely using two-way interactive video technology or other remote tools. If that technology is being used, the Emergency Judge's staff will contact the parties and/or attorneys to advise of the same.

Please be advised that Clerk operations will be staffed to handle essential services identified above. Non-essential filings can be mailed to the Clerk, however, nonessential filings will be processed as staffing levels permit.

In the interest of public health, the public is encouraged not to attend court proceedings unless necessary. Any inquiries about essential services may be directed to Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny, Courtroom 701 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, (313) 224-5430.

Dated: March 19, 2020

Printable Version
Case Establishment                                Zoom Meeting

 

Referee hearings are held Monday through Friday mornings at the times listed above for each Referee. Information on how to file a motion in front of the Referee and obtain a hearing date may be found at http://www.3rdcc.org/divisions/family-domestic/emergency-and-non-emergency-filings. If you have questions related to the dockets other than scheduling, please contact the assigned support staff listed above.


24 hour Case Information Access:
FOC-Payment-Message

https://www.michigan.gov/michildsupport

Please visit above site for:

  • Account Balances
  • Hearing Dates
  • The ability to ask questions of a FOC caseworker, and more.

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