Custody, Parenting Time and Child Support Investigations
The Circuit Court maintains continuous jurisdiction (authority) in domestic relations cases that involve minor children until they reach the age of 18, and in some cases longer. When custody, parenting time, or child support is disputed, the Friend of the Court may be directed by the court to conduct an investigation and make a recommendation to the court.
Either party whose matter has been referred to the Friend of the Court for investigation as to custody, parenting time, or child support has a right to meet with the individual conducting the investigation for the Friend of the Court before a recommendation is made.
The party must request this meeting in writing. If no request is made, the Friend of the Court may proceed with its investigation without meeting with that party. If the party requesting the meeting fails to appear for the meeting, the investigation will proceed.
When child support is an issue, financial information is requested from both parties. When custody or parenting time is an issue, the nature and scope of the Friend of the Court investigation depend on the circumstances, or the seriousness of the complaint or allegation, in the individual case. Parties will be asked various questions pertaining to the welfare of the children. Please bring up any additional factors that you feel are significant.
The Friend of the Court may ask you to release school or medical records. This information is used to provide a more complete investigation. If a home visit is necessary, you may be asked to show the areas where the child sleeps and plays.
A Friend of the Court referee or family counselor releases the findings and recommendations from the investigations to the court and to your attorneys, who will then discuss them with you. Custody and parenting time reports and recommendations are not made part of the public record.
Many parties find that contact with a family counselor provides them with an opportunity to ask questions about the Friend of the Court. Some parties never have any further contact with the Friend of the Court.
