FAQs • Otsego County, MI • CivicEngage

What happens if I don’t get my parenting time?

File a written Parenting Time Violation Complaint (PDF) with the Friend of the Court. Your complaint should state facts explaining how the other parent is not following the order, including the date(s) of the alleged violation(s).
The alleged violation must have occurred or you become aware within 56 days of the complaint.
Your caseworker will compare the complaint to the current parenting time order to determine if the Court order was not followed. You will receive a response within 14 days. If the caseworker agrees that a violation appears to have occurred, a notice and copy of the complaint will be sent to the other party. They will have 21 days to respond or make up the denied parenting time. If make-up parenting time cannot be applied or the other party files a response, the friend of the court may schedule a hearing to allow the other parent to show cause why they should not be found in contempt of the order.

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Courts - Friend of the Court - Custody / Parenting Time

File a written Parenting Time Violation Complaint (PDF) with the Friend of the Court. Your complaint should state facts explaining how the other parent is not following the order, including the date(s) of the alleged violation(s).
The alleged violation must have occurred or you become aware within 56 days of the complaint.
Your caseworker will compare the complaint to the current parenting time order to determine if the Court order was not followed. You will receive a response within 14 days. If the caseworker agrees that a violation appears to have occurred, a notice and copy of the complaint will be sent to the other party. They will have 21 days to respond or make up the denied parenting time. If make-up parenting time cannot be applied or the other party files a response, the friend of the court may schedule a hearing to allow the other parent to show cause why they should not be found in contempt of the order.

The other party has the option to file a written complaint with the Friend of the Court.
If the complaint appears to be a violation of the current parenting time order, a notice and copy of the complaint will be sent to you. You will then have 21 days to respond to the complaint.
If a response is received or make-up parenting time cannot be applied, a show cause hearing may be scheduled in front of the Referee. This hearing will give you the opportunity to show cause why you should not be held in contempt of the order.

If you have sole legal and sole physical custody, you may be able to move. The effect of changes in parenting time due to the move must be considered. Contact your friend of the court caseworker for more information. You are still required to inform the friend of the court of changes in address, phone number, and employment.
If the other party and you share joint legal custody, you must either file a Motion Regarding Change of Domicile/Legal Residence or, if the other party agrees with the move, a Stipulation Regarding Change of Domicile/Legal Residence.