Position: Associate Friend of the Court (215128)
Department: Friend of the Court
Status: Full-Time
Classification/Salary: Starting at $80,619.56 annually
Date Posted: May 20, 2024
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Performs complex administrative work drafting proposed orders with the new child support calculations
attached, advising judge or referee on custody, parenting time, child support and other major decisions,
appearing for arraignment and making recommendations regarding bond and jail time, conducting custody and
parenting time investigations and issuing recommendations to the court, and related work as apparent or
assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the assigned supervisor. Continuous supervision is
exercised over Secretary and Child Support Specialist.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Drafts memos and advises the Judge on major decisions regarding custody, parenting time, child
support, medical reimbursements, denials of parenting time, paternity, school placement, and change of
domicile.
• Attends hearings and draft orders following hearings regarding custody, parenting time, child support,
medical reimbursements, denials of parenting time, DNA testing, and change of domicile; drafts orders
when parties send in stipulations regarding issues of custody, parenting time and child support.
• Files motions with the Court related to denials of parenting time, failure to pay child support (show
cause hearings), and determination regarding issues such as custody, parenting time, child support,
medical reimbursements, DNA testing, and/or change of domicile.
• Reviews case history, prepares for and conducts arraignment in front of the Judge for failure to pay child
support, makes recommendations regarding bond and jail time.
• Conducts alternative dispute resolution including mediation and joint meetings with parties and private
attorneys on cases in attempt to settle issues such as custody, parenting, and child support.
• Conducts investigations on custody, parenting time, domicile, school placement or other issues as
referred to by the court and prepares report and recommendation.
• Reviews and respond to parties’ letters and emails with questions regarding issues such as custody,
parenting time, child support, DNA testing, domicile, denial of parenting time, and/or tax exemptions.
• Reviews and recalculates child support based upon party’s income, childcare expenses, medical
expenses, and overnights with the minor children; drafts a proposed order with the new child support
calculations attached, suspends and reinstate support based on incarceration.
• Sends referrals to the health department for drug and alcohol testing and referrals to Safeplace for
supervised parenting time; inspects the alcohol and drug test results and files a motion or draft an order
suspending a parties’ parenting time for noncompliance with drug testing; reviews and note Safeplace
status reports; calls and makes reports to Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding suspected child
abuse, conducts inspections of the parties’ homes if ordered by the Court.
• Reviews Judgments of Divorce and orders submitted by outside attorneys to ensure that all of the
statutory provisions are included; reviews the attached uniform child support order to make sure the
child support order also complies with the law; re-drafts judgments of divorce if parties represent
themselves to comply with the law.
• Handles party calls, walk-ins, or appointments regarding their case in order to resolve their issues.
• Delegates tasks to secretaries, child support specialists, caseworkers, and deputies; signs and approve
other employee’s requests for paid time off in absence of upper management.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Juris Doctorate
Experience: Six (6) plus years’ experience in family law or business tax law, or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Special Requirements:
? Membership to the State Bar of Michigan
? Valid driver’s license in the State of Michigan
? Ability to obtain Certified Domestic Relations Mediator upon hire or within six (6) months of hire.
SAGINAW COUNTY IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE AS SUCH INDIVIDUALS MUST SUCCESSFULLY PASS A PREEMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREEN (MARIJUANA IS INCLUDED) AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICA
