The trial court erroneously applied a change-of-circumstances standard to the Friend of the Court’s petition to modify child support, the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled.

The trial court’s order removing the minor child from the respondent’s care must be vacated because the respondent was denied her fundamental right to procedural due process.

The trial court failed to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine whether she had established the required proper cause or change in circumstances.

The trial court didn’t err when it modified the mother’s parenting time, found that a change in circumstances had occurred and that a change in custody was in the child’s best interests.

The COA released a published opinion in addressing the "grossly improper" actions of Judge Reader and a Friend of the Court referee in regard to the custody of the parties' child.