FAQs • Jackson County, MI • CivicEngage

I think that my child is being abused/neglected during parenting time spent with the other parent. What should I do?: The Friend of the Court office has no authority to investigate abuse and neglect allegations. These types of concerns should be reported to Child Protective Services for investigation. Only Child Protective Services has the authority to remove a child from the home of a person who commits or allows mistreatment.

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Friend of Court - Parenting Time

1. I think that my child is being abused/neglected during parenting time spent with the other parent. What should I do?: The Friend of the Court office has no authority to investigate abuse and neglect allegations. These types of concerns should be reported to Child Protective Services for investigation. Only Child Protective Services has the authority to remove a child from the home of a person who commits or allows mistreatment.

2. Do I have to have an attorney to file a Motion Regarding Parenting Time, Support or Custody?: No, you may pick up the forms and instructions at the Friend of the Court (FOC) office and file the motions yourself at the County Clerk’s office. There is a $100 fee for the Motions Regarding Parenting Time and Custody, and a $60 fee for the Motion Regarding Support. The FOC can not file a motion, provide an attorney or complete the paperwork for you.

Our address is
1697 Lansing Avenue
Jackson, MI 49201

3. My order states that I have “reasonable” parenting time. What does that mean?: An order that grants “reasonable’ parenting time assumes that you and the other parent will agree to a parenting time schedule that is convenient for both of you and in the best interest of the child(ren). Jackson County’s 4th Judicial Circuit Court defines “reasonable” parenting time and publishes the reasonable parenting time schedule in the Friend of the Court Parenting Time Handbook which are available at the FOC office and on our website.

Our address is
1697 Lansing Avenue
Jackson, MI 49201

4. The other party is not following our parenting time provisions. What can I do?: You may wish to review the enforceable / non-enforceable provisions of your parenting time order. If your complaint is an enforceable provision, you will want to File a Parenting Time Complaint at the office within 56 days of the incident. The Friend of the Court (FOC) starts enforcement by sending a copy of the written complaint to the accused party within 14 days after the FOC office receives the complaint. If the FOC office determines that the order has been violated, “make up parenting time” may be suggested, mediation may be scheduled, or action started that requires the party to show cause why the court should not find the party in contempt.

Our address is
1697 Lansing Avenue
Jackson, MI 49201

You also have the option of filing a Motion Regarding Parenting Time requesting a change in your parenting time provisions.

Find all of these forms and more on our Forms Online page.

5. The other party never returns clothing or other personal items after parenting time. What can I do?: The Friend of the Court can only enforce the court’s written order, therefore, if your order does not mention return of personal items we can not enforce it. We encourage you to contact the other party directly and try to work these situations out. You may ask the court to modify the order by filing a Motion Regarding Parenting Time (PDF).

6. The other party never exercises his/her parenting time. Can you enforce that he/she see the child(ren)?: No. The FOC office can not force a parent to see his/her children. To promote a positive relationship with the children and the other parent, you may wish to consider counseling, mediation or file a motion to change the parenting time order.

7. My children do not want to visit with the other parent. Do I have to make them go?: You must obey the court order regardless of the child’s age and preferences. Each parent must try to promote a positive loving environment for the child(ren) and the other parent.

You may want to try counseling for you, the child and/or the other parent; talk to the other parent to see if other arrangements can be made; or file a Motion Regarding Parenting Time.

8. I believe the other party is using drugs and/or under the influence of alcohol. Do I have to allow the children to go with parent for scheduled parenting time?: That is your decision as a parent. If you violate the court order, you may be held responsible to explain your decision to the court for the denial of parenting time for the other party, if there is a complaint filed. A show cause hearing will be held to determine whether or not you should be held in contempt of court for violating the parenting time order. That will be your opportunity to explain why your decision was in the best interest of the children.