Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Bessemer — The Gogebic and Ontonagon County Friend of the Court joins together with fellow FOC across Michigan to celebrate the organization’s 100th year anniversary.
Created in 1919, the agency is responsible for enforcing domestic relation matters.
Linda Dean, Gogebic County’s FOC said when couples go through a divorce, any children who are involved receive assistance from her department.
“We’re here for the best interest of children,” she said. “That’s why we’re here.”
FOC gathers information about each families’ circumstance and she said it’s part of the job to have some people like the FOC and some people hate them.
“If you’re being chased for child support, you definitely are not the people’s best friends,” she said. “But if you’re for getting child support for children, people should like us.”
Dean and her staff conduct investigations which provide the judge with a recommendation for child custody, parenting time and support for the child and/or spouse.
“We have his ear,” she said. “He listens to us, but he doesn’t have to do what we say by any means.
She explained michigan law permits a child who is at least 6 the opportunity to express their feelings about parental placement.
“We interview children when it comes to issues with where they want to live and with what parent,” she said, adding the interviews are kept confidential between the children, FOC and the judge.
“We never tell the parents what the children say,” she said.
Dean said the rewards of her work are when she is able to help families go through issues and see the good that comes out of it.
“You’re dealing with money and you’re dealing with children,” she said. “Those are some of the hardest things to deal with.”
Circuit Court Judge Michael Pope said in a press release that the FOC offices deals with difficult and sensitive issues surrounding children.
“Our Friend of the Court has been serving Michigan citizens well by being fair, accessible and efficient,” he said, adding “We look forward to providing even better services in the years ahead.”
