How Can I Help You: The Importance of Accessible Legal Services to the Friend of the Court

By Ashley Kasper

My time working for the Friend of the Court Bureau has been immensely fulfilling, intertwining my passion for the law with a sense of purpose. My role has allowed me to navigate the intricacies of legal processes and provided a platform to apply the skills I developed volunteering in Wayne County. My volunteer experience helped me foster a deep understanding of community dynamics and enhanced my ability to serve with empathy and efficiency. 

Guy Jacobson Reflects on His Retirement

 

Guy Jacobson

As all things must come to an end, I’m retiring after 36 years of working at the Friend of the Court offices in Muskegon and Kent Counties, and I have been asked   to describe what it has been like to work in this unique and often misunderstood family division of the circuit court. 

An Interview of Reflections on the Career of Thomas Blohm

Thomas Blohm

What was your path to Friend of the Court Director?

I started with the Friend of the Court on July 16, 1984. My first position was as a Support Investigator. I interviewed litigants and their attorneys to provide pre- and post-judgment child support recommendations to the judges. By 1985 I was promoted to a Judicial Service Officer position and charged with enforcing child support and parenting time orders. In 1999, I was promoted to Enforcement Division Director, then in January 2015, was named Director of the office. I have been in a management position for 25 years. 

Felony Non-Support - An Overview

 Background

Children have the inherent and statutory right to support from their parents (MCL 722.3). Most people care for their children and make whatever sacrifices are necessary to provide for them. They truly want the best for their kids and take such necessary steps. We see this in the many cases that never go to court, even where legal actions are started. Even those parents who fall short in being able to support their children often still make efforts to do at least something to help financially. However, the unfortunate reality is that some parents move on with their lives and neglect their familial obligations. There are many reasons for this—far too many to list here. Some examples that have come up include: starting a new family; simple apathy coupled with a desire to live their best lives; and a great deal of spite for the other parent. Whatever the reason, they do not meet this basic, universal right. 

Michigan Child Support Formula

 

On January 1, the new 2025 Child Support Formula (“Formula”) took effect. This article lists some of the major changes in the formula.