Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County Service and Proof of Service Rules

65 rules from official source documents

39 of 65 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.

E-service, mail, personal service, proof of service, certificate, and timing requirements. This page is scoped to Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan, Oakland County; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

After the case starts, the Clerk’s Office will e-file the OIE and serve the petitioner; the plaintiff must serve the OIE on the defendant with the summons and complaint.

The Clerk’s Office will create and eFile an Order for Information (OIE) and serve the petitioner with a copy after the new case has been started. Plaintiff is responsible for serving a copy of the OIE Order with the Summons and Complaint onto the defendant.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed, or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

Judge Amanda J. Shelton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Notice is required before taking a default judgment, except when judgment is requested on the day of trial.

You must give notice if you intend to take a Default Judgment unless judgment is requested on the day of Trial.

Judge Amanda J. Shelton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

If parties are not connected to e-filing, file a separate proof of service timely or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed, or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

Judge Amanda J. Shelton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to: Motion

After the Court selects a hearing date, the attorney or party may file the motion and Notice of Hearing, if needed, and complete service.

After the Court has selected the hearing date, the Attorney/Party may file the Motion (if it has not been filed already) and a Notice of Hearing and complete service after they receive a date.

Judge Amanda J. Shelton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Service: Electronic service to all parties

Court orders are served through MiFile, and failure to register for MiFile notifications will not excuse noncompliance.

The Court’s orders are served on the parties through MiFile and the Court will assume that parties are receiving Court orders and will not excuse non-compliance with a Court order because an attorney or, a self-represented party, failed to set themselves up as a recipient in MiFile.

Judge David M. Cohen

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Service: Electronic service to all parties

Court orders are served through MiFile, and failure to set up as a recipient does not excuse noncompliance.

Judge David M. Cohen

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to: Motion

Parties not connected to the e-filing system must timely file a separate proof of service or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed, or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

Judge Jacob James Cunningham

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Deadline: 2 calendar days

All documents and exhibits must be submitted to the court and the parties at least two days before the hearing.

Submit all documents/exhibits to the court and the parties at least two (2) days prior to the hearing;

Judge Kameshia D. Gant

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Deadline: 2 calendar days

Submit all documents and exhibits to the court and the parties at least 2 days before the hearing.

Submit all documents/exhibits to the court and the parties at least two (2) days prior to the hearing;

Judge Kameshia D. Gant

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Parties must serve briefs, lists, and motions on opposing parties or counsel.

Parties shall file briefs, lists, and motions by filing an original with the County Clerk’s Office, serving the opposing parties/ counsel, and delivering two JUDGE’S COPIES to Chambers located at Courtroom W1, all in accordance with the Michigan Rules of Court and the local rules of court.

Judge Lisa Gorcyca

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to: Foregoing briefs, lists, and motions

The parties must serve the opposing party or counsel with the specified briefs, lists, and motions.

The parties must file the foregoing briefs, lists, and motions by filing an original with the County Clerk’s Office, serving the opposing party/ counsel, and delivering two JUDGE’S COPIES to Chambers located at Courtroom W1 (unless the case is an e-filing case, in which case, Judge’s Copies are not required), all in accordance with the Michigan Rules of Court and the local rules of court.

Judge Lisa Gorcyca

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

The party requesting a PPO must serve it under the Michigan Court Rules and file proof of service.

The party requesting the PPO must serve it in accordance with the Michigan Court Rules and file an appropriate proof of service.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Deadline: 1 calendar days
Service: Email to opposing party

Trial exhibits must be emailed to the staff attorney and opposing party or attorney no later than one week before trial, as required by the scheduling order.

Exhibits must be submitted to the court’s staff attorney (ostrowskik@oakgov.com) and the opposing party/attorney via email no later than one week before the trial per the scheduling order.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to: Proposed exhibits

All proposed exhibits must be served on the opposing party together with the underlying motion.

All proposed exhibits must be served on the opposing party with the underlying motion.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

A PPO requester must serve the PPO under the Michigan Court Rules and file proof of service; the court provides the hearing date if one is set.

If the court sets the matter for a hearing, the court will provide the date. The party requesting the PPO must serve it in accordance with the Michigan Court Rules and file an appropriate proof of service.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Deadline: 1 calendar days
Service: Email to opposing party

Trial exhibits must be emailed to the staff attorney and opposing party or attorney no later than one week before trial, consistent with the scheduling order.

Exhibits must be submitted to the court’s staff attorney (ostrowskik@oaklandcountymi.gov) and the opposing party/attorney via email no later than one week before the trial per the scheduling order.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Proposed exhibits must be served on the opposing party with the motion.

All proposed exhibits must be served on the opposing party with the underlying motion.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Provide proposed exhibits to the opposing party in advance of trial or the evidentiary hearing as required by the scheduling order.

Proposed exhibits must be provided to the opposing party in advance of the trial/evidentiary hearing date consistent with the scheduling order.

Judge Lorie N. Savin

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Parties not connected to the e-file system must timely file a separate proof of service or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed, or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

Judge Maureen H. Kinsella

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

If parties are not connected to the e-file system, a separate proof of service must be timely filed, or the motion will be dismissed for improper service.

Judge Maureen H. Kinsella

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Service: Email to all parties

Counsel of record accept service of filings and other communications by email at the identified or directed address.

All counsel of record agree to accept service of all filings and other communication via email at the address identified by the State Bar of Michigan or a single email address as otherwise directed.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Service: Email

Email service is effective upon transmission unless the sender knows the email was not received.

Service is accomplished upon transmission absent knowledge by the sender that the email was not received (e.g., it is returned as undeliverable).

Judge Michael Warren

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Service: Electronic service

Delivery through the Court’s e-filing system constitutes service effective at the document’s timestamp.

Delivery of materials by the Court’s e-filing system also constitutes service effective as of the time stamp on the document.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Service: Electronic service

Unless exempt from mandatory e-filing, parties and the Court use the Court’s electronic filing and service system for e-service; parties must maintain a functional email address, and specified transmission failures are attributable to the authorized user.

As a reminder, unless exempted from mandatory electronic filing, e-service by the parties and the Court is effectuated using the Court’s Electronic-Filing and Electronic-Service system – the parties must ensure functionality of the email address provided to the Court for e-service/delivery etc.; a transmission failure caused by a problem with an authorized user’s telephone line, ISP, hardware or software is attributable to the authorized user regardless of who initiated the transmission.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to: Initial disclosures

A proof of service for initial disclosures must be filed promptly.

Initial disclosures must be in writing, signed, and served, and a proof of service must be promptly filed.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Deadline: 14 calendar days

A deposition notice to a party’s corporate representative must be served at least 14 days before the deposition.

Notice of a deposition must be served on a party’s corporate representative at least 14 days prior to the scheduled deposition.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Service: Email to all parties

Counsel must accept service by email at the specified address, and service is effective upon transmission unless the sender knows it was not received.

All counsel of record agree to accept service of all filings and other communication via email at the address identified by the State Bar of Michigan or a single email address as otherwise directed. Service is accomplished upon transmission absent knowledge by the sender that the email was not received (e.g., it is returned as undeliverable).

Judge Michael Warren

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to: Initial disclosures

A party filing a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint must serve initial disclosures within 14 days after an opposing party answers.

a. A party that files a complaint, counter claim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint must serve its initial disclosures within 14 days after any opposing party files an answer to that pleading.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Deadline: 14 calendar days
Applies to: Deposition notice

Deposition notice must be served on a party’s corporate representative at least 14 days before the deposition.

Notice of a deposition must be served on a party’s corporate representative at least 14 days prior to the scheduled deposition.

Judge Michael Warren

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to: Motion

For a PPO motion hearing, follow the PPO Office webpage instructions; after filing, the moving party receives a completed hearing notice and must arrange service of the motion.

To schedule a motion hearing regarding a PPO, please refer to the instructions provided on the Rev: 9/2025 ===== PAGE 8 ===== PPO Office’s webpage. Upon the filing of a motion, court staff will email a completed notice of hearing to the moving party – the moving party is responsible for arranging service of the motion.

Judge Tricia Dare

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

The bench trial or hearing brief must be served on opposing parties.

▪ BENCH TRIAL/HEARING BRIEF shall be filed and served on opposing parties.

Judge Victoria A. Valentine

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

The settlement-conference statement must be served on all parties one week before the conference.

COUNSEL AND/OR PRO PER PARTY shall prepare and serve on all parties and email the Judge’s chambers valentinechambers@oakgov.com, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE, a SHORT statement, which:

Judge Victoria A. Valentine

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Applies to: Subpoena

A subpoena seeking documents or information from a non-party must be served with a copy of the protective order.

A copy of this protective order shall be served with any subpoena seeking documents or information from a non-party.

Judge Victoria A. Valentine

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Applies to: Motion

All motions must be praeciped and served with a Notice of Hearing under the Court Rules.

Motions: All motions MUST be praeciped, e- and served with a Notice of Hearing pursuant to Court Rules.

Judge Victoria A. Valentine

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Applies to: Default judgment

Proofs of service should be filed at or before taking a Default Judgment.

Proofs of service should be filed at the time of or before taking a Default Judgment, MCR 2.603.

Judge Amanda J. Shelton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Applies to: Exhibits
Service: Email to opposing party

Exhibits not emailed to the other party or counsel may be excluded from consideration.

Exhibits not provided to the other party/counsel via email may be excluded from consideration.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Service: Email to opposing party

Exhibits not emailed to the other party or counsel may be excluded from consideration.

Exhibits not provided to the other party/counsel via email may be excluded from consideration.

Judge Lisa Langton

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Deadline: 10 calendar days

Within 10 days after service of a deposition notice, the noticed entity may serve objections or move for a protective order; the discovery-seeking party may proceed on unobjected topics or move to enforce the notice.

No later than 10 days after being served with the notice, the noticed entity may serve objections or file a motion for protective order, upon which the party seeking discovery may either proceed on topics as to which there was no objection or motion, or move to enforce the notice.

Judge Michael Warren