By the numbers
Divorce in Oakland County
Official figures from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Division for Vital Records & Health Statistics. Oakland County recorded more divorces than any other Michigan county in 2023 — more than Wayne, Kent, or Macomb.
Divorces by Michigan county, 2023
| County | Divorces (2023) | Share of Michigan total |
|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 2,317 | 11.3% |
| Wayne | 2,159 | 10.5% |
| Kent | 1,549 | 7.6% |
| Macomb | 1,453 | 7.1% |
| Michigan (statewide) | 20,491 | 100% |
Oakland County divorces by year, 2000–2023
| Year | Divorces | Year | Divorces | Year | Divorces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 4,691 | 2008 | 3,804 | 2016 | 3,416 |
| 2001 | 4,450 | 2009 | 3,671 | 2017 | 3,404 |
| 2002 | 4,187 | 2010 | 4,089 | 2018 | 3,242 |
| 2003 | 4,219 | 2011 | 3,889 | 2019 | 2,884 |
| 2004 | 4,123 | 2012 | 3,869 | 2020 | 2,394 |
| 2005 | 3,763 | 2013 | 3,749 | 2021 | 2,657 |
| 2006 | 4,027 | 2014 | 3,529 | 2022 | 2,344 |
| 2007 | 3,899 | 2015 | 3,470 | 2023 | 2,317 |
Both tables: county of occurrence figures from the Michigan Occurrence Divorce Files, Division for Vital Records & Health Statistics, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. Oakland County recorded the highest number of divorces of any Michigan county in 2023.
The bench
Family Division judges
The Family Division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court hears divorce, custody, parenting time, support, adoption, and PPO matters. Eight circuit judges currently carry family dockets, each supported by a dedicated Friend of the Court team. Your judge is assigned when the case is filed — you cannot choose. Assignments rotate periodically; each name links to the judge's official team page.
Tricia Dare
Elected to the circuit bench in November 2024 following a career in the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.
FOC team & contacts →Kameshia D. Gant
Presides over a full family docket within the Sixth Circuit's judicial-team model.
FOC team & contacts →Lisa O. Gorcyca
One of the longest-tenured members of the current Family Division bench.
FOC team & contacts →Maureen H. Kinsella
Presides over divorce, custody, and support matters in the Family Division.
FOC team & contacts →Lisa Langton
Presides over divorce, custody, and support matters in the Family Division.
FOC team & contacts →Julie A. McDonald
Presides over divorce, custody, and support matters in the Family Division.
FOC team & contacts →Lorie Savin
Elected in 2020 after serving as an Oakland County Friend of the Court referee — firsthand experience on both sides of the referee-hearing process.
FOC team & contacts →Amanda J. Shelton
Elected in 2022 after nearly two decades in private practice.
FOC team & contacts →Friend of the Court
The referees
Most contested motions in an Oakland County family case are heard first by a Friend of the Court referee — not the judge. Referees conduct Early Intervention Conferences, evidentiary hearings on motions to modify custody, parenting time, and child support, and show-cause enforcement hearings. Their recommendations become court orders unless a party files a timely objection for review by the assigned judge.
- Libby Blanchard
- Ilyssa Cimmino
- Rebecca Decoster
- Camille Dennis
- Evanne Dietz
- Rebecca Ellis
- Daniel Ferency
- Shannon Haneline
- Christopher Harrington
- Sahera Housey
- Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy
- Alisa Martin
- Tyler Martinez
- Kathryn Mayer
- Ryan O'Neil
- Nilda Reinosa
- Susan Thorman
- Kate Weaver
- Geoffrey Wojcikiewicz
Roster per the Oakland County Friend of the Court, August 2026. Individual referee pages and hearing calendars: oakgov.com → Friend of the Court → Referees.
How the court is organized
The judicial-team model
Oakland County consolidated all family matters into a single Family Division effective January 1, 1998, under Public Act 388 of 1996. Every case is assigned to a judicial team built around the judge. Each team includes:
Referee
Conducts Early Intervention Conferences, evidentiary hearings on custody, parenting time, and support motions, and show-cause enforcement hearings.
Family Counselor
Mediates custody and parenting time disputes, conducts custody and change-of-domicile investigations, and prepares recommendations when ordered by the court.
Case Specialist
Processes orders prepared by referees and support specialists; fields questions about hearings and case status.
Support Specialist
Conducts child support modification reviews and handles support-related correspondence.
Child Support Account Specialist
Resolves questions about support accounting and statements.
Medical Support Specialist
Mediates disputes over children's medical bills and verifies health insurance coverage for all children on the case.
Step by step
How a case moves through the court
Filing & judge assignment
The complaint is filed with the Oakland County Clerk and the case is assigned to a Family Division judge and their FOC team. Michigan is a no-fault state; the statutory waiting period is 60 days without minor children and generally 6 months with minor children.
Early Intervention Conference
In divorces involving minor children, the case begins with an Early Intervention Conference at the Friend of the Court, presided over by a referee. The referee identifies what's genuinely disputed and sets the framework for resolving custody, parenting time, and support.
FOC investigation & recommendation
If custody or parenting time is contested, the court may order a Friend of the Court investigation. A family counselor evaluates the family circumstances under the best-interest factors of the Michigan Child Custody Act and issues a written recommendation.
Referee hearings
Contested motions — support modification, parenting time, enforcement — are typically heard by the assigned referee, who takes evidence and issues a recommended order.
Objection & judge review
If neither party objects, the referee's recommendation becomes an order of the court. If a party files a timely objection, the issue goes before the assigned judge, who may review the referee record and take additional evidence before ruling.
Settlement, mediation, or trial
Most Oakland County family cases resolve by negotiated settlement or mediation. Those that don't proceed to trial before the assigned judge at the courthouse on Telegraph Road in Pontiac.
Contacts & locations
Court directory
Circuit Court — Family Division
- Address
- 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Dept. 404
Pontiac, MI 48341 - Phone
- 248-858-0344
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- PPOs
- Petitions by email to PPO@oakgov.com
- Note
- By court order, weapons and cutting instruments are not permitted in the building.
Friend of the Court
- Address
- 230 Elizabeth Lake Rd.
Pontiac, MI 48341 - Mailing
- PO Box 436012, Pontiac, MI 48343-6012
- Phone
- 248-858-0424
- IVR
- 877-543-2660 (automated case info)
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Payment window from 7:30 am