Friend of the Court
Friend of the Court Director/Domestic Relations Referee:
Toni McAlhany
Hours:
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday-Friday
Phone:
(517)279-4314
24 Hour Toll Free
Account Information Line: 1.877.kid.2660
Fax:
(517) 279-5174 or
(517) 279-5175
Mailing Address:
Courthouse
31 S. Division Street
Coldwater, MI 49036
Friend of the Court
The Branch County Friend of the Court (FOC) works for the Circuit Court, with primary responsibilities for enforcement of the Court’s orders regarding custody, parenting time and the support of minor children.
The FOC also conducts hearings and investigations, and makes reports and recommendations to the Court on those matters. It offers mediation, as an alternative dispute resolution process, for custody and parenting time issues. See myths about FOC.
For more information, please read the Michigan Child Support Formula Manual.
Michigan Legal Help. www.michiganlegalhelp.org is for persons who are not able to afford a lawyer to handle simple civil legal matters.
24-Hour Phone Access:
Our Integrated Voice Response (IVR) Phone number 1.877.kid.2660.
This number is for all payment information, 24-hours a day. As we are unable to give confidential information over the phone, you MUST use this number for your confidential inquiries.
Common Solutions
- What are the next dates for the S.M.I.L.E. Program and where is the program held?
- How do I get information about my Friend of the Court child support account?
- Who is my Friend of the Court caseworker?
- What do I need to do if I want to move or change the domicile of the children to another state or move over 100 miles away?
- If my minor child is adopted, marries, or enters the military service, what happens to my child support order?
- Do I have a right to see my child's school, medical, and other records if my child lives with the other parent?
- Why doesn't the Friend of the Court investigate alleged abuse and/or neglect of my children?
- How can I make online payments, obtain direct deposit forms, PIN change forms, or obtain a temporary coupon to make a payment?
- What if I pay the other party directly but my court order says that I must pay through the Friend of the Court or the Michigan State Disbursement Unit?
- How will I receive my support payments if they are to be made through the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU)?
View all Friend of the Court FAQs
Resources
- The Michigan State Disbursement Unit Website- Login for Payments
- The Michigan State Disbursement Unit Website- Login for Payments
- Child Support Account Link And Information
- Child Support Account Link And Information
- Federal Tax Refund Waiver
- Federal Tax Refund Waiver
- Child Support Order Change Information
- Further information from the State of Michigan about changing a child support order.
- Current Spouse Release Form
- This form should be used when a joint tax filing has been made and a current spouse wishes to waive any right to a portion of the tax refund so that the entire tax refund can be applied to a past due child support obligation owed by the other spouse.