Courts

NOTICE OF FRIEND OF THE COURT ANNUAL STATUTORY REVIEW

In an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Montcalm County Offices and Courts have put some preventative measures in place in order to keep their employees, as well as citizens of the county, as safe and healthy as possible.

Therefore, please be sure to call the office you're wanting to conduct business with, to see what their new procedures are, before you make an unnecessary trip to Stanton.

Effective August 16, 2021, The Friend of the Court office hours will be 7 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

To assist you with getting to the right department, please keep the following in mind:

64B District Court

Handles misdemeanor and traffic offenses, small claims matters, landlord/tenant cases, and civil matters involving a value less than $25,000. District court also oversees misdemeanor probation. The district court magistrate performs weddings upon request and availability.

8th Circuit Court

The Court of general jurisdiction. Handles felony matters, divorce, custody, support, and determination of paternity, as well as general civil matters involving a value greater than $25,000, actions seeking equitable relief, and appeals from district court and state agency administrative decisions. Judicial staff assists with scheduling hearings in front of the circuit court judges.

Juvenile Court

Handles cases involving juvenile delinquency matters, child protective matters, and adoptions.

Circuit Court Probation / Parole

Supervises felony probationers and/or parolees.

Circuit Court Clerk

The official keeper of records. The circuit court clerk's office houses and maintains the court files and receives and dockets all records filed in cases before the circuit court. Payment plans can be set up through the clerks, and they can assist with information regarding to the file itself, such as obtaining copies of documents, or information on if a particular order has been entered.

Friend of the Court

Assists the family division of circuit court in establishing, enforcing, and modifying orders regarding custody, parenting time, child support, and other child-related matters. The FOC provides services such as Facilitative and Information Gathering Conferences, investigations regarding child custody, parenting time, change of domicile, and support, child support reviews, and enforcement regarding child custody and parenting time provisions. Disputes that cannot be resolved are scheduled for hearing before the Friend of the Court Referee.

Probate Court

Administers the filing and safe keeping of wills, probating of decedent estates, trusts, appointment and supervision of guardians and conservators over minors, adults, and developmentally disabled individuals, and processing mental health matters,, name changes, and emancipations.