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20th Circuit and Probate courts report rising family‑division caseloads and recent courthouse changes
Summary
Court administrators told commissioners the Family Justice Center is handling an increasing family‑division caseload (about a 20% increase), juvenile delinquency is up statewide, and the probate court moved to the Grand Haven courthouse after the retirement of a long‑serving judge.
Susan (court administrator) updated the board on 20th Circuit and probate court operations, staffing and caseload trends.
She described a major recent change: the Family Justice Center has opened and now houses the family division and juvenile services. The circuit court’s family division caseload rose roughly 20% in the reporting year; Susan said family matters are getting more complex and are taking more judicial time.
Juvenile delinquency cases have increased statewide and locally; the court is seeing more serious offenses among juveniles. The recovery (sobriety) court and alternative‑contempt and re‑engagement programs for people who owe child support were described as active efforts to direct people to services rather than incarceration.
Probate court moved operations to the Grand Haven Courthouse after Judge Fian retired and Judge Dahlman took office. Susan said the courts rely on many county departments (sheriff, facilities, HR, clerks) and thanked the board for support; she also noted the court came in under budget in juvenile services for the reporting year.
