Review & Modification Process
- One method of getting support changed is through the Friend of the Court review process. Each party has the right to request a review child support every three years. The request must be submitted in writing or on the Support Review Request Form. Be sure to include your name, the other parties name, and your case number with your written request.
- The Friend of the Court will conduct an investigation of each party’s income. You may receive a phone call from our Support Caseworkers to discuss your information or if they have an questions regarding paperwork you submit.
- In some cases the Friend of the Court is required to periodically review child support provisions (including healthcare) and file a motion for a change in the order if a change is found to be proper. When reviewing support, the Friend of the Court office may request information from a either parent's employer, including the parent's address, social security number, date of birth, wages earned, and dependent healthcare coverage available as a benefit of employment.
- Friend of the Court Questionnaires will be sent to each parent. It is very important that you fill out the questionnaire completely and accurately and return it promptly. The Friend of the Court will rely on these questionnaires in making its recommendation. Failure to complete and return the questionnaire may result in the Friend of the Court imputing your income, and you may not agree with their determination. If accurate information is received, the resulting recommendation is more likely to be correct, and much delay and aggravation can be avoided.
- After the financial review, the Friend of the Court will make a written recommendation regarding the modification of child support. The recommendation will be sent to both parties. This recommendation will become a final order if neither party files written objections within 21 days. If a parent objects to the recommendation, the objections must be put in writing on the Objection to Child-Support Review and file it with the Shiawassee County Clerks office. A copy of the objection MUST be provided to the Friend of the Court within 21 days from the time the recommendation is mailed.
- If an objection is received within the 21 days, a hearing date will be set before the referee about the objection. Both parties will be notified of the hearing date and both should attend if they wish to have their position heard. After the hearing, the referee will prepare a temporary order that will become a final order if no one objects within 21 days or a stipulated order if both parties agree at the hearing.
- If a parent disagrees with the referee’s recommendation, the objections must be put in writing using the Objection to Proposed Order Form and file it with the Shiawassee County Clerks office. A copy should be provided to the Friend of the Court within 21 days. The Judge determines if a hearing is necessary, a hearing date will be set before the Judge and the parties will be notified of the hearing date. After the hearing, a final order will be entered.