Parenting Time & Custody
Custody is the ability to make decisions for your minor children. If you would like custody to be modified, and you are unable to reach an agreement with the other party, you may file a motion for a custody assessment. Custody assessment take approximately three months to complete due to the in-depth custody assessment procedure. Schedule an appointment with your investigator to discuss the custody assessment process.
If there are emergency circumstances (for example, you believe the child is at immediate risk of harm while in the care of the other parent) please contact your local law enforcement or child protective services at 855-444-3911. You may file an ex parte petition for temporary custody.
If parenting time is specified in your court order (for example: “alternating weekends” or “Tuesdays from 4-8PM”) and the provision is not being followed, you may file a parenting time complaint. If your court order does not identify a specific parenting time schedule and you wish to have the parenting time provision modified to include specific days, times or holidays, you will need to file a motion to modify parenting time. Please refer to the Friend of the Court parenting time policy for general parenting time provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not getting my parenting time, what can I do?
If parenting time is specified in your court order (for example: “alternating weekends” or “Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.”) and the provision in your court order is not being followed, you may file a parenting time complaint. A complaint form is available in our office, on our web site or may be requested through the automated IVR.
If your court order does not identify specific parenting times and you wish to have the parenting time provision of your order modified to include specific days/times/holidays, you will need to file a motion to modify parenting time. This form is also available in our office, on our web site or through the automated IVR. For general parenting time provisions, please refer to the Friend of the Court parenting time policy available on this website.
What is the procedure to ask the court to review our custody order?
Review an explanation of the Custody Assessment Procedures of the Ottawa County Friend of the Court.
I'd like to file for change of custody. Can you mail that paperwork to me?
Due to the in-depth nature of the custody assessment procedure, this paperwork is not typically mailed out. You will need to schedule an appointment with your caseworker to discuss the custody assessment process.
I want to have custody changed immediately due to emergency circumstances. Can the Friend of the Court help me?
No. If there are emergency circumstances (for example, you believe the child is at immediate risk of harm while in the care of the other parent) you need to contact your local law enforcement agency or Ottawa County Child Protective Services at (616) 394-7200.
The other party in my case does not ever exercise parenting time with the kids or pay support. I want his/her rights terminated. How can I do that?
Under certain circumstances parental rights may be terminated through adoption or abuse/neglect proceedings. You may contact the Family Court Clerks for additional information at (616) 786-4108.
The Friend of the Court office does not petition the court to terminate parental rights.
My parenting time order refers to travel in accordance with the Hague Convention. Which countries are partners to that Convention?
View the complete list of countries that are partners to the Hague Convention.