Court Rules
Judge

Judge Tanya A. Grillo

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Macomb County

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Motion, Response

  • Hand Delivery • By 9:00 Am On Friday Before Hearing

Courtesy copies

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Communication

Phone
Court-wide
586-942-0594
Emergencies
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingExhibitsMemorandaEvidence/WitnessesProposed OrdersTOC/TOA

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important

Proposed exhibits must be marked with exhibit stickers and must not be numbered.

Mark proposed exhibits with exhibit stickers (do not number the exhibits).

CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL

Document Filing Requirements8 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

The trial brief must contain a statement of facts, issues, theory of the case, memorandum of law, supplemental joint schedule of assets, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and a list of all evidentiary issues for trial.

a brief statement of facts, issues, theory of case and memorandum of law, supplemental joint schedule of assets, and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and list any/all evidentiary issues for trial.

Document Type

Trial Brief

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

A proposed judgment must be attached to the trial brief.

A PROPOSED JUDGMENT MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE TRIAL BRIEF.

Document Type

Trial Brief

Content & Formatting
Proposed Order
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Copies of proposed exhibits must be furnished to the Court and opposing counsel.

Furnish copies of proposed exhibits to the Court and opposing counsel.

Document Type

Proposed Exhibits

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Mandatory

Supplemental trial witness lists must be supplied 21 days before trial in sufficient numbers and identify actual or probable witnesses, their appearance method, and medical-expert practice details and specialty.

Twenty-one (21) days before trial date, supply supplemental trial witness lists in sufficient number for the Court and all counsel of actual and/or probable witnesses, indicating if in person or by deposition, and, if medical experts, the hospital and office where the witness practices, and his or her speciality.

Document Type

Supplemental Trial Witness List

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important

All stipulations must be in writing and placed on the record.

All stipulations shall be in writing and placed on the record.

Document Type

Stipulations

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026Important

Parties must prepare stipulations for entry of exhibits or written reasons for objections.

Have stipulations for entry of exhibits or stated written reasons for objections prepared.

Document Type

Exhibit Submission

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?

Objections must be presented to the Court in writing with citations of authority in support of the party’s position.

Summary: Deposition objections must be submitted in writing with supporting citations of authority.

Document Type

Deposition Objections

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?

If cases are cited, a photocopy of the case or statute shall be attached.

Summary: Any case or statute cited in the trial brief must be attached as a photocopy.

Document Type

Trial Brief

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
CT 20260115 JUDGE GRILLO TRIAL PROCEDURE ORDER · Jan 2026 · p. 1|SecBEFORE TRIAL

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

A judgment of divorce and its required accompanying orders must be electronically filed no later than one week before the hearing.

Judgments of Divorce and all required accompanying Orders MUST be e-filed no later than ONE WEEK PRIOR of the Hearing or said Hearing will be adjourned.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | ENTRY OF JUDGMENTS OF DIVORCE

USB flash drives are prohibited for matters before Judge Grillo.

USB flash drives will not be accepted for matters before Judge Grillo.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | USB FLASH DRIVES

At a scheduled hearing, audio or video evidence may be presented using the device brought by the petitioner or respondent.

If the matter is scheduled for a hearing, any audio/video evidence may be presented USING the device BROUGHT IN BY the petitioner or respondent.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | USB FLASH DRIVES

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Deposition objections filed after the Final Pretrial will not be heard.

Objections to depositions filed after the day of Final Pretrial will not be heard.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | BEFORE TRIAL

Depositions intended for trial must be purged at least 21 days before trial or objections will be deemed waived.

All depositions intended for use at trial shall be purged at least 21 days prior to trial or all objections shall be deemed waived.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | BEFORE TRIAL

Motions in limine and other trial motions must be filed and scheduled at least 14 days before trial or they will be deemed waived.

Motions in Limine and/or trial motions shall be filed and scheduled at least fourteen (14) days prior to trial or deemed waived.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | BEFORE TRIAL

A trial brief must be submitted at least 14 days before trial or on the date of the Final Pretrial.

At least fourteen (14) days before trial or on the date of the Final Pretrial, submit a trial brief containing

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | BEFORE TRIAL

A trial motion filed for the date of trial will not be heard unless good cause is shown.

Motions on the date of trial will not be heard except for good cause shown.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | BEFORE TRIAL

The judgment-of-divorce electronic-filing deadline is no later than one week before the hearing, and the hearing will be adjourned if the deadline is missed.

Judgments of Divorce and all required accompanying Orders MUST be e-filed no later than ONE WEEK PRIOR of the Hearing or said Hearing will be adjourned.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | ENTRY OF JUDGMENTS OF DIVORCE

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Judge Grillo’s staff will not print required judge’s copies.

JUDGE GRILLO’S STAFF WILL NOT PRINT JUDGE’S COPIES.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION DAY

Parties must hand-deliver or mail judge’s copies of all motions and responses, to be received by 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the scheduled hearing.

Judge’s copies are required for all motions and responses. These copies must be hand‑delivered or received by mail by 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the scheduled hearing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | MOTION DAY

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Any trial adjournment must be made by motion.

Trial adjournments must be motioned up.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | DATE CERTAIN TRIALS

A domestic settlement conference may be adjourned once by stipulated order.

May be adjourned once by stipulated order; all further adjournments must be motioned up.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | DOMESTIC SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES

A denovo hearing may be adjourned once for up to two weeks.

DENOVO HEARINGS: One adjournment allowed for up to two weeks. Any further adjournment must be done by stipulated order.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Page 1 | MOTION DAY

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 125 rules apply across Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Macomb County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 35
  • Applies to
    Motion to show cause
    Must include
    proposed order

    The motion and order to show cause submitted for a party more than ten days past due must require that party to appear before the court.

  • Applies to
    Referee recommended order

    An administrative order giving interim effect to a referee’s recommendation must include a notice to the parties under a separate heading in the recommended order.

  • Applies to
    Referee recommended order

    An administrative order giving interim effect to a referee’s recommendation must include a notice to the parties under a separate heading in the recommended order.

Fees

All 24
  • Fee
    $500
    Applies to
    Custody investigation

    The Friend of the Court investigation fee is $500 for custody matters.

  • Applies to
    Combined friend of court investigation

    A combined Friend of the Court investigation involving two or more issues is assessed at $500.

  • Applies to
    Friend of court investigation

    The order permits the Friend of the Court investigation fee to be entered as a specified amount or marked as no fee.

E-Filing

All 15

  • All parties in Business Court cases must electronically file and serve documents through the court’s eFiling Pilot Project under Administrative Order No. 2010-6.

  • Participation in the electronic-filing pilot program is mandatory for pending C- and N-type cases assigned to participating circuit judges.

  • All documents are presumed to be filed electronically as part of the mandatory e-filing project.

Formatting

All 14

  • The notice notifying the parties of interim effect should be printed in boldface type at 12 points or larger.

  • The interim-effect notice should use boldface type sized at least 12 points.

  • The interim-effect notice must appear within the referee’s recommended order under a separate heading.

More categories

View all Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Macomb County rules
About Judge Tanya A. Grillo

Tanya A. Grillo was appointed to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Macomb County on January 6, 2026. She was born and raised in Macomb County and is a proud graduate of Lakeview High School. Prior to her appointment, Judge Grillo maintained a distinguished legal career spanning trial practice, public service, and administrative roles. She served as the Managed Assigned Counsel Coordinator for the City of Southfield, where she oversaw the delivery of indigent defense services. In addition, she was an Administrative Hearing Officer for the City of Mount Clemens. Judge Grillo was the founder of Grillo Law, P.L.L.C., where her practice focused on criminal defense and trial work across Metro-Detroit. She also previously served as the Regional Manager for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, working with courts in Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties to implement statewide indigent defense standards and improve access to justice. Judge Grillo serves as President of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan’s Executive Board and is a board member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations. Her professional and community involvement reflects a deep commitment to advancing equity, professionalism, and public service in the legal system. She earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Central Florida.

16th Judicial Circuit Court, Macomb County Courthouse, 40 N. Main St, 2nd Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, Telephone: Position: Name: Number Secretary: Tanille Terenzi: 586-469-2571 Clerk: Jessica MacKenzie: 586-469-5707 Court Reporter: Danielle Groppi: danielle.groppi@outlook.com Court Officer: Erika Wharfield: 586-469-2157

Common questions about Judge Tanya A. Grillo's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Tanya A. Grillo?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for motions and responses. Details: delivery by 9:00 am on friday before hearing, by hand delivery. Parties must hand-deliver or mail judge’s copies of all motions and responses, to be received by 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the scheduled hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION DAY

What must be included with trial brief filings before Judge Tanya A. Grillo?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The trial brief must contain a statement of facts, issues, theory of the case, memorandum of law, supplemental joint schedule of assets, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and a list of all evidentiary issues for trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section BEFORE TRIAL

What must be included with supplemental trial witness list filings before Judge Tanya A. Grillo?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Supplemental trial witness lists must be supplied 21 days before trial in sufficient numbers and identify actual or probable witnesses, their appearance method, and medical-expert practice details and specialty.

View ruleSource: page 1, section BEFORE TRIAL

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Tanya A. Grillo?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A denovo hearing may be adjourned once for up to two weeks.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTION DAY

Is electronic filing required before Judge Tanya A. Grillo?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. A judgment of divorce and its required accompanying orders must be electronically filed no later than one week before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section ENTRY OF JUDGMENTS OF DIVORCE

What filing deadlines does Judge Tanya A. Grillo set?

A trial brief must be submitted at least 14 days before trial or on the date of the Final Pretrial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section BEFORE TRIAL
Complete rules summary for Judge Tanya A. Grillo

A trial brief must be submitted at least 14 days before trial or on the date of the Final Pretrial.

The trial brief must contain a statement of facts, issues, theory of the case, memorandum of law, supplemental joint schedule of assets, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and a list of all evidentiary issues for trial.

Any case or statute cited in the trial brief must be attached as a photocopy.

A proposed judgment must be attached to the trial brief.

Parties must prepare stipulations for entry of exhibits or written reasons for objections.

Motions in limine and other trial motions must be filed and scheduled at least 14 days before trial or they will be deemed waived.

A trial motion filed for the date of trial will not be heard unless good cause is shown.

Depositions intended for trial must be purged at least 21 days before trial or objections will be deemed waived.

Deposition objections must be submitted in writing with supporting citations of authority.

Deposition objections filed after the Final Pretrial will not be heard.

Supplemental trial witness lists must be supplied 21 days before trial in sufficient numbers and identify actual or probable witnesses, their appearance method, and medical-expert practice details and specialty.

Proposed exhibits must be marked with exhibit stickers and must not be numbered.

Copies of proposed exhibits must be furnished to the Court and opposing counsel.

All stipulations must be in writing and placed on the record.

Parties must hand-deliver or mail judge’s copies of all motions and responses, to be received by 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the scheduled hearing.

Judge Grillo’s staff will not print required judge’s copies.

A denovo hearing may be adjourned once for up to two weeks.

A judgment of divorce and its required accompanying orders must be electronically filed no later than one week before the hearing.

The judgment-of-divorce electronic-filing deadline is no later than one week before the hearing, and the hearing will be adjourned if the deadline is missed.

USB flash drives are prohibited for matters before Judge Grillo.

At a scheduled hearing, audio or video evidence may be presented using the device brought by the petitioner or respondent.

A domestic settlement conference may be adjourned once by stipulated order.

Any trial adjournment must be made by motion.

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