Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 2003-2
Pursuant to MCL 600.1011, as amended by 2002 PA 682, the chief circuit and chief probate judges in each judicial circuit shall enter into an agreement by July 1, 2003, that establishes a plan known as the "family court plan." The plan shall describe how the family division of the circuit court will operate in that circuit and how to coordinate and promote that which the Legislature has described as "more efficient and effective services to families and individuals."
In a probate court district that includes counties that are in different judicial circuits, the chief judge of each judicial circuit that includes such a probate court district and the chief probate judge shall enter into a family court plan for that circuit.
The chief circuit and chief probate judges shall file family court plans with the State Court Administrative Office no later than July 1, 2003. Chief circuit and chief probate judges shall seek the input of all the judges of the circuit and probate courts, staff of the circuit and probate courts, and other entities that provide services to families within that jurisdiction or that will be affected by the operation of the family division.
The county clerk must be afforded the opportunity to participate in the development of plans for the management of court records. The county clerk may submit a letter to the chief judge of the circuit court indicating either concurrence or disagreement with the plan for the management of court records. The chief judge shall submit a copy of the letter to the State Court Administrative Office when the family court plan is filed. Disagreements regarding the plans for the management of court records may be resolved through mediation at the direction of the Supreme Court.
A family court plan submitted for a judicial circuit shall be approved by the State Court Administrative Office for filing or returned to the chief circuit and chief probate judges for amendment in accordance with 2002 PA 682 and guidelines provided by the State Court Administrative Office.
A family court plan shall specifically identify all circuit and probate judges serving pursuant to the plan.
Any amendment to a family court plan must be filed with the State Court Administrative Office and accepted for filing before implementation of the amended provisions.
In any circuit court in which the chief circuit and chief probate judges are unable to agree upon a family court plan by July 1, 2003, the State Court Administrative Office will develop a family court plan for that circuit, subject to approval by the Supreme Court.
Administrative Order No. 1997-1 is rescinded.
Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 2003-2