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16th Circuit Court - Macomb County, MI
The following information has been
quoted from the Macomb County website which is "public
domain." Updated on divorcePeers.com November 18, 2002.
Family
Counseling Service
The Family Counseling Service assists
the Macomb County Circuit Court in the assessment of domestic cases
in which issues of custody and parenting time of minor children have
been brought before the Court. These can be situations with parties
who have never married, have divorced, or who are in the process of
divorcing. Services are rendered only upon referral order of the
Court. A fee is charged for each service and must be paid before
appointments can be set. The Judge determines the amount of the fee
to be paid when the case is referred. Generally, the fee is $600.00.
The Judge will determine how the fees are to be paid; each party
normally pays half of the fee. Fees are payable at the office of the
Family Counseling Service. If the fees are paid by check or money
order, they must be made payable to the Macomb County Clerk. Fees
can be paid by credit card through Government Payment Service, Inc.
(888-604-7888).
Initial appointments are usually set at
9:00 a.m. or at 1:00 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments are not
available. The parent who maintains physical custody is usually
scheduled for the first appointment; natural parents are each
interviewed for approximately 1˝ to 2 hours. Children ages five
years and older and other adults are seen for approximately 30
minutes or less. It is recommended that another adult accompany the
parent who brings the children because the children remain in the
waiting room during the parent’s interview.
Services
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Evaluation — This service
consists of a one-time interview of the parties, minor child(ren)
ages five years and older, significant others, current spouses,
and/or other parties as the Judge or professional staff person
determine is necessary. A written report and recommendation is
submitted to the Court.
The parties and minor child(ren) are interviewed individually. The
written recommendation is the opinion of the professional staff
person conducting the evaluation. The Judge always makes the final
decision. Copies of the report are sent to the Judge, to the Friend
of the Court and to each attorney or non-represented party for their
use.
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Counseling — Counseling
generally consists of four to six sessions. Issues relating to
parenting time or custody matters are discussed. Any information
obtained during these sessions is confidential. No report or
recommendation is submitted to the Court. During the first
appointment, the parties and minor child(ren) are interviewed
individually. The parties, minor child(ren) ages five years and
older, significant others, current spouses, or other parties that
the Judge or professional staff person determine is necessary will
be seen during this time. The appointment with the custodial parent
and minor child(ren) is designated as Session 1; the appointment
with the non-custodial parent is designated as Session 2. Subsequent
joint sessions are set to the schedule of the parties and the
professional staff person. The subsequent sessions are usually about
1 to 1˝
hours in length.
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Mediation — Four to six
sessions are scheduled. The parties work with the professional staff
person to prepare a parenting plan/parenting agreement which
outlines their wishes with regard to parenting time and
communication issues regarding their child(ren). Any information
obtained during these sessions is confidential. No evaluative report
or recommendation is submitted to the Court. During the first
appointment, the parties and minor child(ren) are interviewed
individually. The parties, minor child(ren) ages five years and
older, significant others, current spouses, or other parties that
the Judge or professional staff person determine is necessary will
be seen during this time. The appointment with the custodial parent
and minor child(ren) is designated as Session 1; the appointment
with the non-custodial parent is designated as Session 2. Subsequent
joint sessions are set to the schedule of the parties and the
professional staff person. The subsequent sessions are usually about
1 to 1˝
hours in length.
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