Civil Child Support Bench Warrants
Respondents seeking to resolve a Friend of the Court civil child support warrant may walk into the Friend of the Court Customer Service area on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays only from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Respondents should be prepared to make a payment and a commitment to make future payments. To expedite service, please let the security officer or sheriff present at the entrance know that you are there to resolve a FOC warrant.
Changing the Child Support Amount
Child support may be changed by filing a Motion to Change Child Support (FOC Form 4035). Michigan Compiled Law § 552.603 allows the Court to change support back to the date a motion is filed and served on the other party. Therefore, filing your motion as soon as possible will mean that any change in your child support may start earlier.
You may also request a Support Review through the Friend of the Court. This written request may be mailed to P.O. Box 829, Detroit, MI 48231. The start date on this type of review would begin the 1st day of the month following the date a Notice of Support Review has been mailed to both parties. The Friend of the Court mails out the Notice of Support Review once it has worked your request. Please understand these review requests may take time to process due to the availability of staff and the volume of cases received for review during this time.
How to File a Motion
The Third Circuit Court location at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center is open to the public for in person filing. Motions may be filed with the County Clerk’s office by:
- Online via the new electronic Domestic Case Filings System at www.http://3rdcc.org/agency-resources
- Filing in person in Room 200A of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, located at Two Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 Mondays and Thursdays ONLY 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 – 4:00 PM
(must be in line by 3:30 pm).
- Mail to Wayne County Clerk, Room 201, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Two Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Fees must be paid or waived before filing. Click here for more information on instructions for filing. Please follow all directions on the website or else your filing may be rejected.
Access to Files and/or Court Orders
If you need a copy of a court order, submit the FOC Access to Records request (FOC Form 4022) and we will process your request. Due to delays in processing request for records, you may file a motion to modify an order without attaching the current order if it is unavailable during this time.
Legal Resources
Below are some resources available for legal help with your filings. The Third Circuit Court cannot guarantee whether all of these resources are in full operation during this time.
Detroit Legal Services Clinic
- Virtual: Click here to schedule a virtual legal consultation with a member of the Detroit Bar Association.
- In Person: Detroit Legal Services Clinic is also held in person the third Tuesday of the month from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Detroit Bar Association offices at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 12th floor, Room 1207, Two Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI, 48226.
The volunteer attorneys are available to assist with a variety of legal issues.
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