Enforce a Michigan Family Court Order

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When the other parent ignores a Michigan court order, the remedy is a filing in the Circuit Court, usually in the Family Division, in the same case that produced the order. Most states call it a motion for contempt or a motion to enforce.

Bring dates, records, and specifics. Courts act on a clear pattern that is written down, not on a general complaint that someone is being difficult. The official Michigan documents for this are linked below.

Official Michigan enforcement resources

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Michigan family law forms (official index) (Michigan judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Michigan family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Domestic-Relations/

Michigan court self-help resources (Michigan courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Michigan family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.courts.michigan.gov/resources-for/the-public/self-represented-litigants/

MiFILE (Tyler Technologies): MiFILE is Michigan's statewide e-filing system and family cases in circuit court are covered across the state. Attorneys must e-file; if you do not have a lawyer you may e-file, and a few courts now require it, so check your county's rules. https://mifile.courts.michigan.gov/

Michigan rules of procedure (Michigan judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Michigan. https://www.courts.michigan.gov/rules-administrative-orders-and-jury-instructions/current-rules-and-jury-instructions/michigan-court-rules/

Verified official Michigan enforcement documents

These official documents are used to ask a Michigan court to enforce an order or hold the other side in contempt.

21-Day Notice to Alleged Violator of Custody or Parenting Time Provisions (FOC 16), form FOC 16 (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc16.pdf

Motion and Order to Show Cause for Contempt — Custody / Parenting Time (FOC 19), form FOC 19 (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc19.pdf

Motion and Order to Show Cause for Contempt — Medical (FOC 2a), form FOC 2a (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc2a.pdf

Motion and Order to Show Cause for Contempt — Support (FOC 2), form FOC 2 (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc2.pdf

Notice of Contempt Hearing for Failure to Pay Support (FOC 2b), form FOC 2b (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc2b.pdf

Order after Hearing on Alleged Custody / Parenting Time Violation (FOC 58), form FOC 58 (Contempt / Enforcement), official document: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/forms/scao-approved/foc58.pdf

Official link data for Michigan was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

What can the court do if my time with my child is being denied?

Courts can order make-up time, shift costs, require classes, and in serious cases revisit the schedule itself. The request usually starts with the enforcement or contempt document for your state.

Do I need a lawyer to file for enforcement?

Many parents file these themselves using the official forms. Contempt hearings can carry real consequences for both sides, so consider at least a consultation when the stakes are high.