Lapeer County Friend of the Court announces resignation; board approves internal hiring to fill vacancy

The Lapeer County Friend of the Court presented 2024–2025 office statistics to the Board of Commissioners and announced plans to leave county employment to pursue private practice.

The speaker reported 2025 total Friend of the Court expenses of $1,960,414.13 (up from $1,850,925.65 in 2024) and revenues of $1,447,077 (up from $1,304,667.76 in 2024). Total support distributed in 2025 was recorded as $12,353.54 compared with figures reported for 2024; caseload for 2025 was 3,830 cases, down from 4,014 in 2024. The office conducted 1,016 hearings by the domestic relations referee in 2025 compared with 1,045 in 2024; de novo or appeal hearings by judges remained at 48 in both years. The speaker invited questions; none were raised.

The Friend of the Court then told the board that after more than 12 years working for the county they intend to pursue private practice, adding: “It has been an honor to have the opportunity to serve as Lapeer County Friend of the Court these past 5 years... I intend to pursue private practice utilizing the skills and knowledge I was fortunate enough to learn.” Commissioners thanked the speaker for their service.

Following that announcement, the board’s Personnel Committee moved and the full board approved authorizing the courts to fill the upcoming vacant Friend of the Court position (position #198, pay grade PA3) with an internal candidate at step four at no additional cost to the county general fund.

The board also approved an amendment to the Buildings & Grounds/Parks table of organization to add a full‑time facility and capital projects supervisor (pay grade 18) to better meet operational needs; the job description was approved and the motion carried.

The meeting record does not include the Friend of the Court’s name; the speaker identified as the office representative and offered the statistics and departure announcement during the presentation segment.