Reviewed August 2026
Court Hearings in Michigan
Michigan divorce and custody cases are heard in the Family Division of circuit court. A spouse who needs custody, support, or property decisions before the case is final can file a motion for temporary orders while the case is pending. That request lets the family operate under a court order without waiting for a final judgment. Michigan's Family Division relies on the Friend of the Court, an office that investigates and makes recommendations on custody, parenting time, and support matters. It also uses referees, judicial officers who hear many family law motions and issue recommendations that a circuit judge reviews. Michigan also runs the MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory, a statewide tool. The public can search by judge or county to find live, real-time virtual trial court proceedings. This shows how broadly Michigan courts have adopted remote hearing access. Michigan has 83 counties, and most run their own circuit court with a dedicated Family Division and a local Friend of the Court office.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how court hearings works under Michigan law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Michigan paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Requesting temporary orders
In a Michigan divorce case, either spouse can file a motion. It asks the Family Division of circuit court to decide temporary orders while the case is pending. That includes temporary custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or use of the marital home. This interim relief gives the family a working arrangement without waiting for the case to conclude. A contested divorce can take considerably longer to finish. The temporary order stays in effect only until the court changes it or the case reaches a final judgment. A verified motion, supported by an affidavit, is typically required to start the process.
The Friend of the Court
Michigan's Family Division works closely with the Friend of the Court, an office in each county. It investigates and makes recommendations to the court on custody, parenting time, and child support matters. It also helps enforce existing orders. The Friend of the Court Bureau, part of the State Court Administrative Office, sets policy and provides oversight for local offices statewide. In a temporary orders motion involving children, the Friend of the Court may get involved before the matter reaches a hearing. That depends on the county's local practice. Larger counties often assign a dedicated Friend of the Court investigator to more complex custody disputes.
Referees and circuit judges
Michigan circuit courts also use referees, judicial officers appointed to hear many family law matters, including motions for temporary orders. A referee typically conducts the hearing and issues a recommendation. A circuit judge then reviews it before it becomes the court's order. Parties who disagree with a referee's recommendation generally can object and have the matter reviewed by a judge. Whether a specific motion is heard by a referee or a judge directly depends on the county and its local assignment practice. Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, among the state's largest, rely heavily on referees to manage their family law caseloads.
Statewide virtual courtroom access
Michigan's MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory lets anyone search by judge or county name to find live, real-time virtual trial court proceedings around the state. This reflects a broad, statewide approach to remote hearing access. Whether a specific temporary orders hearing will be virtual, in person, or hybrid depends on the county and the judge or referee assigned. Checking the MiCOURT directory or the hearing notice is the reliable way to confirm the format. Individual courts update the directory, so availability can change from one hearing to the next.
What happens at a temporary orders hearing
A hearing on a motion for temporary orders is narrower than a trial. The referee or judge decides what arrangement should apply while the case is pending, not final findings on custody, support, or property division. Depending on the county and whether the request is contested, the hearing may involve limited testimony. The court may instead rule largely based on the motion, response, and any Friend of the Court recommendation. Common subjects are temporary custody and parenting time, temporary support, and use of the marital home. The resulting order stays in effect only until the court modifies it or the case reaches a final judgment. Either parent can later ask the court to revisit temporary parenting time if circumstances change.
Sources: Michigan Courts, Friend of the Court Bureau, Michigan Courts, Referees resource page, Michigan Courts, MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory, Michigan Courts, How Do I (public guidance including remote proceedings access)
Not independently confirmed
- The specific Michigan Court Rule governing motions for temporary orders in domestic relations cases (Michigan Court Rules chapter 3.2 governs domestic relations actions generally) was not confirmed against a directly fetched copy of the rule text for this page.
- The exact process and deadline for objecting to a referee's recommendation was not confirmed against a directly fetched copy of the applicable court rule for this page.
- Whether Friend of the Court involvement is required, versus optional, before a temporary orders hearing involving children was not confirmed statewide; this can vary by county's local practice.
- The specific claim that Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties rely heavily on referees was not independently confirmed against a directly fetched source for this page.
Court Hearings in Michigan: frequently asked questions
How do I get temporary custody or support decided in a Michigan divorce?+
You file a motion with the Family Division of circuit court. It asks the court to decide temporary orders on the specific issue, such as custody or support, while the case is pending. The order applies only until it is changed or the case reaches a final judgment.
What does the Friend of the Court do in Michigan?+
The Friend of the Court is a county office. It investigates and makes recommendations to the court on custody, parenting time, and child support matters, and also helps enforce existing orders. It can get involved in a case before a temporary orders hearing, depending on local practice.
What is a referee in Michigan family court?+
A referee is a judicial officer who hears many family law motions, including requests for temporary orders. The referee issues a recommendation that a circuit judge reviews before it becomes the court's order. Parties who disagree can generally object and have a judge review the matter.
Can I attend a Michigan family court hearing remotely?+
Often, yes. Michigan's MiCOURT Virtual Courtroom Directory lets the public search by judge or county for live virtual trial court proceedings. Whether a specific hearing is virtual, in person, or hybrid depends on the county and the assigned judge or referee.
How long does a temporary order last in a Michigan divorce?+
It applies only while the case is pending, unless the court changes it earlier. Once the court enters the final judgment, the temporary order is replaced by whatever the judgment provides for custody, support, and property.
What can a temporary orders motion cover in Michigan?+
It can ask the court to decide temporary custody and parenting time, temporary child or spousal support, and use of the marital home while the case is pending. It is an interim arrangement, not the final resolution, and is replaced once the court enters judgment.
This page is general information about court hearings in Michigan, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Michigan's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Michigan. Virdix does not prepare or file Michigan divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Michigan.
More Michigan divorce guides
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