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Family Domestic / FOC

FRIEND OF THE COURT SCHEDULING BACKLOG
Due to staffing issues, the Wayne County Friend of the Court Scheduling Office is experiencing a backlog. Currently, staff are scheduling hearings for motions received October 26, 2022 forward. We understand the issues this causes and are working on several solutions to remedy the problem.
This message will be updated as we continue to schedule hearings. In the meantime, please do not submit more than one e-praecipe as this causes more of a backlog.
PLEASE NOTE: this backlog is only relative to the scheduling of Referee hearings.

There is NO backlog in filings by the Clerk’s Office.

We appreciate your patience.

Important Updates


The Friend of the Court Customer Service lobby at the Penobscot Building is open for walk-in customers on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (must be in line by 3:45 p.m.). Virtual Customer Service Appointments are available on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Friend of the Court Payment Window is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (must be in line by 2:45 p.m.). Masks are recommended and will be provided upon request.

The Family Division-Domestic Relations Section filing options have changed. Please see the filing instructions below for further information. The Clerk’s office located at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center is open for in-person filings for Family Domestic on Mondays and Thursdays ONLY. The Friend of the Court Scheduling Office is open for Friend of the Court motion scheduling ONLY.

See the following links for updates on operations during this time:

 

 

Overview

The mission of the Wayne County Friend of Court is to serve and educate families and assist the court in domestic relations matters to promote the best interest of children.

To speak to a Friend of the Court representative regarding your Friend of the Court case, please call 1‑844‑785‑7593.

Those needing TTY services may call 1-833-936-2889.

To reach the State of Michigan’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, call 1‑877‑543‑2660.  When asked for the County, enter 929.  This system provides automated access to some payment and enforcement information for persons who have signed up for a PIN for their case.

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC)
Penobscot Building (PNB)

Ms. Erin Lincoln
Friend of the Court
(313) 224-6639
-

Assistant: Lori Kaczmarek


 

Ms. Jillian Fitzgerald
Assistant Friend of the Court - Legal Director
(313) 224-5370
-
Assistant:  Leslie George

 

Ms. Stephanie Witucki
Chief Referee
(313) 224-6521
-
Zoom Meeting

Power Court

Penobscot Building
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Assistant:  Kim Wilson (313) 224-6521


 

Ms. Denise Fitzhugh
Director of Administrative Operations
(313) 224-6760
-

Assistant: Dawana Andrews


 

Ms. Michelle Milligan Chiaravalli
Director of Family Assessment Services
(313) 833-2828
Questions about FAME Assessments Only
Assistant:  Maria Walker

 

Ms. Alicia Bianchi
Referee
(313) 224-8178
Courtroom 11-B, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Darnella D. Williams-Claybourne

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-B
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Maria Walker (313) 224-8178
FOC Attorney:  Lee Ann Rutila (313) 224-7427
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
Ms. Diane Biggar
Referee
(313) 224-5690
Courtroom 10-F, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Regina Triplett

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-F
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Gloria Howard, (313) 224-5690
FOC Attorney:  Jonn Walinske, (313) 224-5337
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
Ms. Gwendolyn Davis-Yancey
Referee
(313) 224-1790
Courtroom 11-C (sharing courtroom),Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Referee

Parenting Time Docket

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-C

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Denita Schroeder (313) 224-1790

Motions Heard: Monday, Tuesday, and alternate Fridays at 8:30 a.m.


 
Mr. Daniel Ferency
Referee
(313) 224-2866
Courtroom10-D
Zoom Meeting

Presiding Judge: Honorable Melissa A. Cox

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-D

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff: Crystal Palmer, (313) 224-2866

FOC Attorney: Dominique Peacock, (313) 224-7829

Motions Heard at: 9:00 a.m.


 
Mr. Eric R. Gloudemans
Referee
(313) 224-8178
Courtroom 11-E, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Nicole N. Goodson

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-E
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Maria Walker (313) 224-8178
FOC Attorney:  Joseph Dobesh (313) 224-2230
Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.







 
Ms. Rosanne S. Hostnik
Referee
(313) 224-5037
Courtroom 10-G, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Eric Cholack

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-G
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Lisa White, (313) 224-5037
FOC Attorney:  Alyce Haas, (313) 224-7608
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
Mr. Michael Kwarcinski
Referee
(313) 224-5369
Courtroom 10-C, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge: Honorable Yvonna C. Abraham

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-C

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff: Jennifer Shelton, (313) 224-5369

FOC Attorney: Jonn Walinske, (313) 224-5337

Motions Heard at: 9:00 a.m.

 
Ms. Christine Rodriguez
Referee
(313) 967-6787
Courtroom 11-D, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Mary Beth Kelly

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-D
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Teresa Welch, (313) 967-6787
FOC Attorney:  Carl Meyer, (313) 224-6754
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
Ms. Lynn A. Ruhlman
Referee
(313) 224-7164
Courtroom 10-A, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Carla G. Testani

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-A
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Tonya Little, (313) 224-7164
FOC Attorney:  Heather Lutz, (313) 967-2619
Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.


 
Mr. Hulen Simpson
Referee
(313) 224-0072
Courtroom 11-G, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Alexis A. Glendening

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-G
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Hope Hale, (313) 224-0072
FOC Attorney:  Alyce Haas, (313) 224-7608
Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.


 
Mr. Edrick Thompson
Referee
(313) 224-7168
Courtroom 11-F, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Helal A. Farhat

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 11-F
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Vicki Leonard (313) 224-7168
FOC Attorney:  Heather Lutz (313) 967-2619
Motions Heard At:  9:00 a.m.


 
Ms. Pamela Tracy
Referee
(313) 224-5350
Courtroom 10-B, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Referee

Case Establishment

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-B

645 Griswold

Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  (313) 224-5350

Motions Heard: 8:30 a.m.


 
Ms. Lauren Wright Middleton
Referee
(313) 224-2866
Courtroom 10-E, Penobscot
Zoom Meeting

Judge:  Honorable Susan A. Dabaja

Penobscot Building, Courtroom 10-E

645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226

Support Staff:  Crystal Palmer, (313) 224-2866

FOC Attorney:  Carl Meyer, (313) 224-6754

Motions Heard At:  9:45 a.m.


 

Free Child Support Help:


View
Friend of the Court events

News / Announcements

Meet one-on-one with a volunteer attorney for free child support help at the Wayne County Free Child Support Help Event on April 22, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. More details about the event can be found here.
Genetic testing for the Wayne County Friend of the Court is returning to the Penobscot Building, Suite 123, 645 Griswold. Genetic testing will be open on Wednesdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m..
Wayne County Dispute Resolution, in coordination with Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan, is presenting a Parent Education Program. This program will educate parents on the Friend of the Court and about mediation. Please see the attached flier for more information.
The Friend of the Court Customer Service lobby at the Penobscot Building is open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (must be in line by 3:45 p.m.). Virtual Customer Service appointments are available on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Friend of the Court Payment Window is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (must be in line by 2:45 p.m.). Masks are recommended and will be provided upon request.
Wayne County Friend of the Court and The Children's Center teamed up for a presentation on changes to the Friend of the Court due to COVID-19. The presentation was recorded and may be viewed here. 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, walk-in resolution of Friend of the Court civil child support bench warrants in Courtroom 1907 of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday has been temporarily canceled. Respondents with child support bench warrants may call (313) 224-4066 to attempt to resolve their warrant telephonically.
Case Establishment                                Zoom Meeting

 

Referee hearings are held Monday through Friday mornings at the times listed above for each Referee. Information on how to file a motion in front of the Referee and obtain a hearing date may be found at http://www.3rdcc.org/divisions/family-domestic/emergency-and-non-emergency-filings. If you have questions related to the dockets other than scheduling, please contact the assigned support staff listed above.


24 hour Case Information Access:
 FOC-Payment-Message

https://www.michigan.gov/michildsupport

Please visit above site for:

  • Account Balances
  • Hearing Dates
  • The ability to ask questions of a FOC caseworker, and more.

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