Michigan Court Of Appeals Holds Probate Court Has Affirmative Duty To Provide Access To GAL Reports To Interested Parties
Under MCR 5.121(D)(2)(a), a probate court has an affirmative duty to afford all interested persons the opportunity to examine and controvert a guardian ad litem (GAL) report once it has been received into evidence—regardless of whether the interested person formally requests access and regardless of whether the report is designated as confidential.
Michigan Supreme Court Finds DHHS Did Not Make Reasonable Efforts at Reunification
The Michigan Supreme Court determined that DHHS “has an affirmative duty to make reasonable efforts to reunify a family before seeking termination of parental rights.”