FAQs

How do I file for Divorce?

If filing without an attorney, there is a website that is available to download the necessary forms, along with instructions on how to file the appropriate documents.  www.MichiganLegalHelp.org

What is the filing fee for filing for divorce?

If filing for divorce involves minor children, the filing fee is $255.00

If filing for divorce without minor children, the filing fee is $175.00

*If a person is on public assistance or is low income, a Fee Waiver Request (MC 20) may be filled out to waive the above fee.  Please be sure if on public assistance, you include your public assistance case number, as that needs to be filled out on the form. This form can be found at the following website address:  https://courts.michigan.gov/Search/Pages/Forms.aspx?k=mc%2020.

How can I search for a case to find out the status of the case and when the next hearing is?

 Click on the following link for Circuit Court cases:  https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/CaseSearch/Court/C14

Click on the following link for District Court cases:

https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/CaseSearch/Court/D60

Click on the following link for Probate cases:

https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/CaseSearch/Court/P61

These links are also located on the Muskegon County website under Online Case Search.

How do I file for a legal name change?

THIS SECTION IS BEING UPDATED.  PLEASE CHECK BACK IN THE FUTURE FOR FORMS.

Legal name change packets are sold for $5.00 at the Circuit Court Records Department located on the 6^th Floor of the HOJ Building or can be obtained online at https://courts.michigan.gov/Administration/SCAO/Forms/Pages/Name-Change.aspx .  The packet includes instructions for filing for a name change, as well as the required forms to be filed.  New name change filing fee is $187.00. 

How do I get my conviction set aside or expunged?

Set Aside Conviction packets are sold for $4.00 at the Circuit Court Records Department, located on the 6^th Floor of the HOJ Building (or can be obtained online (https://courts.michigan.gov/Administration/SCAO/Forms/courtforms/mc227.pdf).

The packet includes instructions for filing a set aside conviction, as well as the required forms to be filed.  There is no filing fee assessed for this type of filing.

Who do I reach when I have a question concerning my Circuit Court jury duty service?

Circuit Court Jury Clerk:  231-724-8825

Jury Hotline:  231-724-6395

Who do I call to request a transcript of my court hearing?

You will call the Judge’s secretary who the court case is presiding with.

Who do I call with questions regarding tickets or driver’s license suspensions?

District Court – Operations:  724-6302 (1^st Flr HOJ Bldg)

Where do I go if I want to evict someone from a home I own?

District Court – Civil:  724-6329 (1^st Flr HOJ Bldg)

Who do I contact if I need to reschedule a Circuit Court hearing date?

The judge’s secretary the case is assigned to.

Who do I contact with questions concerning my Circuit Court fines, costs, and payment plan?

Circuit Court Collections Department:  231-724-3470 (3^rd Floor, HOJ Bldg)

I have a question regarding child support, parenting time, custody, paternity establishment, who do I contact?

Contact the State Interactive Voice Response (IVR) at 877-543-2660.  Listen to the prompts and it will direct you to the right person within the 14^th Circuit Friend of the Court.

I would like to pay for a document I requested from Circuit Court Records, how do I make this payment online?

Go to the following website:  https://allpaid.com/plc/5115 or call 1-888-604-7888.  If you are paying via online, please use the following PLC code:  5115.  ***Please note there is a convenience fee for using both of these services.  The fee chart is located on this site.  Please also note there is a significant difference when utilizing the phone service versus going online (can be as much as $7.00 more for using the phone service)

I would like to file a Personal Protection Order (PPO) against someone.  How would I do that?

For PPO’s:

Personal Protection Orders-

Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file PPO Petitions via:

 Mail- Attention 3rd Floor PPO Clerk, HOJ, 990 Terrace St., Muskegon MI 49442

 Email- FamilyCourtServices@co.muskegon.mi.us

 Drop Box- Located at HOJ, 990 Terrace St., Muskegon MI 49442

PPO Petition Forms, available at:

 SCAO Court Forms- https://courts.michigan.gov/administration/scao/forms/pages/search-for-a-form.aspx

 Michigan Legal Self-Help Center of Muskegon County- https://muskegon.michiganlegalhelp.org/

 Forms available in the vestibule at the Hall of Justice

I have a question concerning adoptions.  Who do I contact?

Adoption Petitions are being accepted via mail. They can be mailed to: Attn:  Adoption Coordinator, 3^rd Floor Hall of Justice, 990 Terrace, Muskegon, MI 49442.

I have a question concerning wills, guardianships and conservatorships.  How do I obtain information regarding this?

 Probate Court (see Muskegon County website https://www.co.muskegon.mi.us/774/Probate-Court– Frequently asked questions)