C43 2018-01: LAO Appointing Domestic Relations Attorney Referee

This administrative order is issued in accordance with Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2009-6, effective January 1, 2010. In accordance with MCL 712A.10 and MCR 3.913, and upon approval of the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), 

IT IS ORDERED:

1. The Chief Judge of the 43rd Circuit Court appoints Sarah A. Mathews as Attorney Referee. The Referee's contact information is:
   
   
   1. Name: Sarah A. Mathews
      Bar Number: P71762
      Court Address: 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031
      Phone Number: (269) 445-4436
      E-mail Address: sarahm@cassco.org
      
      It is the responsibility of the Referee to notify the State Court Administrative Office of changes in the individual's contact information during the course of the appointment.
2. Sarah A. Mathews:
   1. Will serve at the pleasure of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court and the presiding Judge of the Circuit Court. 
   2. Has taken the constitutional oath of office.
   3. Is a member, in good standing, of the State Bar of Michigan, pursuant to MCR 3.215(A). 
3. The following types of motions may be heard initially by Domestic Relations Referees. Referee Sarah A. Mathews is authorized to perform the following duties pursuant to MCL 552.507(1) and MCR 3.215(A):
   1. Hear all domestic relations motions and any ancillary (related non-domestic relations) motions that the Court determines to be related to a domestic relations case. In default cases, the Referee may take testimony pursuant to MCL 552.9f to perpetuate such testimony and may recommend that the Court enter a default judgment. 
   2. The following types of domestic relations motions shall be intially heard by the Domestic Relations Referee:
      1. All matters concerning child support;
      2. All matters concerning childcare and medical support;
      3. All matters in regards to parenting time;
      4. All matters regarding modification of parenting time;
      5. All matters regarding custody;
      6. All matters requesting a change of domicile for a child/children.
4. The Domestic Relations Referee is authorized to conduct the following scheduling and settlement conferences in domestic relations cases in accordance with MCR 3.215:
   1. Scheduling conferences in domestic relations cases. The Court must review and may either approve or modify the Referee's scheduling.
   2. Settlement conferences in domestic relations cases.
5. Recommendations for certain orders by the Domestic Relations Referee shall be given interim effect pending a judicial hearing on a timely objection or pending the twenty-one (21) day waiting period as authorized by MCR 3.215(G):
   1. Orders establishing custody
   2. Orders establishing support
   3. Orders establishing parenting time
   4. Orders modifying support when custody does not change
   5. Orders implementing income withholding
   6. Please note that:
      • MCR 3.215 (G)(2) provides that the Court may not give interim effect to a Referee's recommendation for:
        • an Order for incarceration,
        • an Order for forfeiture of any property, or
        • an Order imposing costs, fines or other sanctions
      • MCR 3.215 (G)(3) provides that the Court may not by administrative order give interim effects to a Referee's recommendation for an Order that falls within MCR 3.215 (G)(2):
        • that changes a child's custody,
        • that changes a child's domicile, or
        • that would render subsequent judicial consideration of the matter moot.
      • If the Court issues an administrative order that gives interim effect to a Referee's recommended Order, the Court must notify the parties of an Order's interim effect by including a notice, under a separate heading, within the Referee's recommended Order. The notice should be printed in 12-point-or-larger boldface type.
6. If a Domestic Relations Referee's recommended Order does not have interim effect pursuant to this Order, the Court may enter a case-specific Order giving the recommended Order interim effect pending the judicial hearing, unless interim effect is prohibited by MCR 3.215(G)(3). 

Find the fully executed order here.