Friend of the Court

Iosco County Friend of the Court

*About the FOC* The Friend of the Court (FOC) is a statutorily created agency of the Circuit Court that assists the court with its domestic relations docket. The FOC assists the court by helping resolve domestic relations disputes, and enforcing the court's orders for custody, parenting time, and support as outlined here. *Our Location* The Iosco County FOC office is located directly north of the Iosco County Courthouse, in the Annex Building. General Information Custody Child Support Frequently Asked Questions Online Court Forms Resources Friend of the Court Handbook Brochures and Pamphlets Child Custody Act Support and Parenting Time Enforcement Act Child Support Formula Manual	Director Charlene K. Baker Friend of the Court 420 W. Lake Street, P.O. Box 837 Tawas City, MI 48764-0837 General Office Hours Monday thru Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Closed Phone: (989) 362-2573 Toll Free: (877) 543-2660 Fax: (989) 984-1108	Friend of the Court Duties - When parents cannot agree, or when directed by the judge, to conduct investigations and make reports and recommendations to the court regarding: Custody Parenting time (which may include transportation) Amount of child support (including medical support and/or spousal support - Offer mediation, when both parents agree to participate, as an optional way of settling disagreements over custody or parenting time of children - Provide enforcement services on all custody, parenting time, and support orders entered by the court The Friend of the Court has no authority to do the following: Investigate abuse and neglect Change an order without consent of the court Investigate criminal activity Give legal advice to either party
Start Making It Livable for Everyone (SMILE) Divorce can be a very difficult issue for everyone involved, especially children. Start Making It Livable for Everyone (SMILE) is a divorce adjustment program offered to parents going through divorce to help them ease through this transitional period. The developers of this program have worked with hundreds of divorcing families having difficulties with time-sharing, parenting roles, and other divorce-related issues. The SMILE program helps parents to better understand the effects of divorce, the needs of their children, and their roles in promoting their children’s healthy adjustment to divorce. Why is SMILE important… Divorce is a process over which children have no control. Children should not become its victims. When parents are under stress, it is harder to be in touch with their children’s pain and anguish. It takes time, effort and planning on the part of parents to be able to provide for children’s needs. In the crisis of divorce, parents may put their children on hold while they attend to adult problems first. Sometimes separating or divorced parents find that their roles and expectations are undefined and cloudy. The SMILE program is offered quarterly and costs $20. Please contact the Iosco County Friend of the Court Office for further details. Disclaimer Although this Web site is periodically reviewed and updated to include information to help answer the most common questions, the information provided is not an exhaustive list of all policies, civil procedure or domestic relation laws. To ensure that you are fully informed, it is always advisable that you either research your issue at a public law library or that you consult with an attorney. As for the materials and information made available throughout this Web site, the Iosco County FOC is not responsible for the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness, or for the results obtained by using them.
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