Judge Lorie N. Savin
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Chambers Drop Off
Motion
- Chambers Drop Off
Motion, Brief
- Chambers Drop Off • Before Hearing
Opposition
- Chambers Drop Off • By the Filing Deadline
Adjournments
- A party who requested an ASL or foreign-language interpreter must notify chambers at least two business days before the court date to adjourn or cancel.
- If a requested interpreter is obtained and the party fails to appear or adjourns with less than two business days’ notice, the Court may require reimbursement after a hearing on ability to pay.
- Submit a stipulated adjournment order at least two full business days before the court date, including the reason for the adjournment.
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- A stipulated adjournment order must be submitted at least seven days before the court date unless there is an emergency.
- A motion to adjourn must be scheduled for hearing at least seven days before the upcoming court date unless there is an emergency.
- Failure to give at least seven days’ notice of an interpreter request may result in an adjournment.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Plaintiff shall label exhibits using numbers and Defendant shall label exhibits using letters.
In the event of a trial or evidentiary hearing conducted via Zoom video conference, screen sharing is prohibited and each party is responsible for providing physical copies of exhibits to all persons stated above in advance of the trial or hearing.
Document Filing Requirements30 rules
Do not leave the Courtroom until your order is prepared and submitted to the Judge for signature.
All parties and counsel must appear to put a settlement on the record unless staff specifically authorizes only the plaintiff and plaintiff’s counsel to appear after review of fully executed documents and determination that there are no concerns.
Court's wording
All parties and counsel must appear in court to place a settlement on the record unless Judge Savin’s staff has specifically informed the parties, or attorneys if represented by counsel, that only Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s counsel need appear after she has reviewed fully executed copies of all necessary documents (judgment, uniform support order(s), private settlement agreements, etc), and has determined there are no questions or concerns about the documents.
Stipulations for an order for withdrawal or substitution of counsel must include the signature of every party, or their attorney if represented by counsel, in addition to the client of the withdrawing attorney.
- Document
- Stipulation
- Placement
- Signature block
Failure to appear will result in dismissal of the motion and may result in a financial penalty consistent with MCR 2.119(E)(4).
Please verify entry of the default by the County Clerk before appearing for the default judgment hearing.
It is the moving party's responsibility to clearly indicate to the clerk that the motion is an emergency and await further direction from the clerk.
In addition to the Judgment of Divorce, Uniform Child Support Order (if there are minor children), and Uniform Spousal Support Order (if spousal support is awarded), you must have a Record of Divorce and a Judgment Information Form (if there are minor children or a spousal support order) completed and filed.
The moving party must comply with MCR 3.210(B) prior to appearing for the hearing to enter the default judgment.
The moving party to every motion must prepare an order based on either the parties’ agreement or the Judge’s oral ruling.
Unless excused by the court, the moving party must appear for the motion.
Attorneys and parties must attend all court hearings, including procedural hearings, unless specifically stated otherwise.
All other ex parte orders must include the language required pursuant to MCR 3.207(B)(6).
For in-person trials and evidentiary hearings, each party is responsible for providing every witness, party, and court staff member with their own individual copy of each proposed exhibit.
Original signatures must appear on all orders.
- Document
- Order
- Placement
- Signature block
A Deviation Addendum (FOC 10d) must be attached to the Uniform Child Support Order if you are not following the child support formula calculations in any way.
All ex parte orders regarding custody, child support, or parenting time must include the language required pursuant to MCR 3.207(B)(5).
To arrange remote prisoner participation, provide chambers the facility, correctly spelled name, date of birth, and identifying inmate number.
Court's wording
In order for chambers to make arrangements for a prisoner to participate in a hearing remotely chambers must be provided information about where the prisoner is being held (i.e. an MDOC facility, Oakland County Jail, etc.), and the individual's correctly spelled name, date of birth, and identifying inmate number.
You must submit a completed Uniform Child Support Order (FOC 10) for any case involving children at the time you submit the judgment.
The motion must state the reason for the request, including any exigent circumstances and the harm that could result if the matter were not addressed on an emergency basis.
A party must file and obtain a default against the non-moving party from the County Clerk before presenting a default judgment to the court.
All proposed exhibits should be marked prior to the trial/evidentiary hearing.
The court will issue a scheduling order at the settlement conference date unless the parties present a signed consent judgment in advance and place proofs on the record..
Electronic signatures are acceptable but must be done through software that ensures the authenticity of the electronic signature.
- Placement
- Signature block
Pleading and document captions should include email addresses for counsel of record and/or self-represented parties, unless the self-represented party's contact information is confidential in the Friend of the Court's records.
- Document
- Pleading
- Placement
- Caption
Practice tip: It is helpful to come to Motion Call with a proposed order to submit to the Court.
- Document
- Motion
Include
- •Proposed order
It is prudent to come to Motion Call with a proposed order.
- Document
- Motion
Include
- •Proposed order
Parties are encouraged to present a list of stipulated facts and submit stipulated exhibits at the commencement of the proceeding.
As best practice, submit proposed orders for entry when the Court issues its ruling and before leaving the courtroom.
Court's wording
Best practice dictates that orders should be submitted for entry at the time the Court issues its ruling before the parties/attorneys leave the courtroom to avoid unnecessary confusion and litigation regarding entry of the order.
The parties are encouraged to discuss selection of a mediator prior to this date.
A party represented by an attorney may be excused from the first settlement conference so long as their attorney is present.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A Praecipe may be filed electronically.
You may file the Praecipe electronically here.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Praecipes
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Submit all judgments and orders at least five business days before the court date on which proofs will be taken.
All judgments and orders must be submitted to the Court at least five (5) business days in advance of the court date where you intend to take proofs.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment
To have a motion heard, file a Praecipe with the Case Management Office by 4:30 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday.
To have your motion heard, you must file a Praecipe with the Case Management Office by 4:30 pm on the Wednesday prior to the date you wish your motion to be heard.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Praecipes
A request to take proofs by Zoom will be granted only if the Court has reviewed the documents in advance, which must be submitted at least five business days before the court date.
Requests to take proofs by Zoom will only be granted where the Court has reviewed documents in advance and will not be granted if the documents are not submitted as least five (5) business days before your Court date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment
The moving party must submit the proposed default judgment and necessary related orders at least five business days before the court date.
The moving party must present the proposed default judgment and necessary related orders to the Court at least five (5) business days prior to the court date so the Court may review the documents in advance.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Default Judgments
Responsive pleadings must be filed by the Friday before the Wednesday Motion Call.
Parties must file any responsive pleadings by the Friday before the Wednesday motion call.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Responsive Pleadings
Submit the signed consent judgment and necessary related orders at least five business days before the court date.
Please present the signed consent judgment and necessary related orders to the Court at least five (5) business days prior to your court date so the Court may review the documents in advance.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Consent Judgments
Failure to timely submit an order as required may result in any sanctions available to the Court.
Parties are advised that failure to timely submit a Court order in accordance with court orders and MCR 2.602(B) may result in any sanctions available to the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Orders Following Motion Hearing
Without suitable envelopes and postage, the Court will hold order copies in chambers for five business days.
Otherwise, the court will hold the copies in chambers for five (5) business days due to storage constraints.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Returning Orders
The Court may dismiss the case if it does not receive the signed consent judgment and necessary related orders within 21 days.
If the court does not receive a signed consent judgment with any necessary related orders within the twenty-one (21) days, it is within the court's discretion to dismiss the case.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Consent Judgments
Parties submitting an order later must do so promptly and comply with relevant court orders and MCR 2.602(B).
Parties that choose to submit their order at a later time must do so promptly and comply with any relevant court order along with MCR 2.602(B).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Orders Following Motion Hearing
Only rarely will the Court take proofs without advance submission; in that event, the parties must submit a signed consent judgment within 21 days after the settlement is placed on the record.
Only in rare cases will the Court take proofs without advance submission of a consent judgment, but in that instance, it will require the parties to submit a signed consent judgment based on the settlement placed on the record within twenty-one (21) days.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Consent Judgments
Additions to Motion Call are permitted only in very exceptional circumstances and at the Court’s discretion.
Additions to the Motion Call will be permitted only under very exceptional circumstances and solely at the court's discretion.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Praecipes
The Court will discard copies not picked up within the five-business-day holding period.
The court will discard all copies not picked up by that time.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Returning Orders
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Opposing counsel must be copied on the email submitting the Confidential Settlement Agreement.
Opposing counsel must be copied on this email.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment
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.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Exhibits
The Court will mail true copies of orders if supplied with self-addressed, stamped envelopes with sufficient postage.
The court will mail true copies of orders if self-addressed, stamped envelopes with sufficient postage are provided.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Returning Orders
Courtesy Copy Requirements
After adjourning a motion, the moving party must deliver a new Judge’s Copy because copies are not retained when the motion is removed from the docket.
If you adjourn your motion, you will need to deliver a new "Judge's Copy" of the motion as copies are not retained once a motion is removed from the Motion Call docket.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Adjourning Motions
File an emergency motion with the County Clerk’s Office, deliver a copy directly to chambers, and present it to a judge’s clerk.
Emergency motions must be filed with the County Clerk's Office with a copy delivered directly to chambers and presented to one of the judge's clerks.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Emergency Motions
A Judge’s Copy of a responsive pleading may also be delivered to chambers by the filing deadline, labeled at the top of the first page.
A copy of the document, labeled "Judge's Copy" at the top of the first page, may also be delivered to chambers by the same deadline.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Responsive Pleadings
Parties may deliver a Judge’s Copy of the motion and brief to chambers by 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the hearing, labeled and dated as specified.
Parties may deliver a copy of their motion and brief, labeled "Judge's Copy" with the date the motion is set at the top of the first page, to chambers by 4:00 pm on the Thursday before the scheduled motion hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Judge's Copy of Motions/Briefs
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A party must file a motion to request an evidentiary hearing before the judge.
A party must file a motion to request an evidentiary hearing before the judge.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Evidentiary Hearing
An attorney seeking to withdraw within 30 days of a trial or evidentiary hearing must file a motion.
A motion must be filed if an attorney wishes to withdraw as counsel within 30 days of a trial or evidentiary hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Withdrawal/Substitution of Counsel
Reply, additional, and supplemental briefs are not permitted without express Court permission unless the Court Rules otherwise allow them.
Consistent with MCR 2.119(A)(2)(b), no reply, additional, or supplemental briefs shall be permitted absent express permission from the Court unless otherwise allowed in the Court Rules.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Responsive Pleadings
Motion Call cases involving custody, parenting-time, or support disputes must attend a Pre-Motion Call Settlement Conference with the Friend of the Court Referee and/or Custody and Parenting Time Specialist.
Cases scheduled to be heard for Motion Call involving disputes regarding custody, parenting time, and support will be required to meet with the Friend of the Court Referee and/or Custody and Parenting Time Specialist for a Pre-Motion Call Settlement Conference during the Motion Call at the Courthouse.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Motions Involving Children and the FOC
The judge may refer other matters to the Friend of the Court at her discretion.
Some other matters will be referred by Judge Savin to the FOC at the judge’s discretion.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Motions Involving Children and the FOC
The Court may consider an emergency motion at any time.
The court may consider an emergency motion at any time.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Emergency Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Submit a stipulated adjournment order at least two full business days before the court date, including the reason for the adjournment.
Stipulated orders to adjourn must be submitted at least two full business days prior to the court date and must include the reason for the adjournment.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Adjournments
A motion to adjourn must be scheduled for hearing at least seven days before the upcoming court date unless there is an emergency.
A motion to adjourn must be scheduled to be heard at least 7 days prior to the upcoming court date absent an emergency.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Requests to Adjourn
Only the moving party may adjourn a motion.
Only the moving party may adjourn their motion.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Adjourning Motions
Requests to adjourn by stipulation or motion must comply with MCR 2.503(B).
Requests to adjourn by stipulation or motion must comply with MCR 2.503(B).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Requests to Adjourn
Parties must be present and ready to begin trial or an evidentiary hearing unless the Court has signed an adjournment order in advance.
You must be present and prepared to start the proceeding on the scheduled trial or evidentiary hearing date unless the court has signed an order adjourning that trial or evidentiary hearing date in advance.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Adjournments
A party who requested an ASL or foreign-language interpreter must notify chambers at least two business days before the court date to adjourn or cancel.
If you have asked for an ASL or foreign language interpreter and want to adjourn or cancel your court date, you must inform Judge Savin's staff in chambers at least 2 business days prior to your court date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Cost for ASL and Foreign Language Interpreters
A stipulated adjournment order must be submitted at least seven days before the court date unless there is an emergency.
A stipulated order to adjourn must be submitted at least 7 days prior to the upcoming court date absent an emergency.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Requests to Adjourn
Adjournment requests made less than two business days before the court date will not be considered absent a medical emergency.
Adjournment requests made less than two (2) business days prior will not be considered absent a medical emergency.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Adjournments
The moving party must notify chambers and the opposing party of a motion adjournment by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Tuesday.
The moving party is required to notify chambers and the opposing party of any adjournment by 4:00 pm the Tuesday before the motion is scheduled to be heard.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Adjourning Motions
A party’s or attorney’s failure to request an adjournment on time does not qualify as an emergency.
A party or attorney’s failure to timely request an adjournment is not an emergency.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Requests to Adjourn
If a requested interpreter is obtained and the party fails to appear or adjourns with less than two business days’ notice, the Court may require reimbursement after a hearing on ability to pay.
Should the Court obtain an ASL or foreign language interpreter at your request and you fail to appear at the court date or adjourn the matter with less than 2 business days' notice, the Court may require you to reimburse the Court for the cost of the interpreter's fees following a hearing to determine your ability to pay.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Cost for ASL and Foreign Language Interpreters
Failure to give at least seven days’ notice of an interpreter request may result in an adjournment.
Failure to provide at least seven (7) days' notice may result in an adjournment.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Interpreters
Parties are expected to begin discovery before issuance of the scheduling order; deadlines may be extended by written stipulation when necessary if mediation and trial dates are unaffected.
Parties are expected to begin discovery before the scheduling order is issued. However, the deadlines in the scheduling order may be extended, when necessary, by written stipulation so long as the extension does not interfere with mediation or trial dates.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Extension of Dates in Scheduling Order
An adjournment request is not guaranteed to be granted.
Do not assume a request to adjourn a matter will be granted.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Adjournments
Adjournment requests are not guaranteed to be granted.
Do not assume adjournment requests will be granted.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Requests to Adjourn
Chambers Communication Rules
If the judgment references a Confidential Settlement Agreement, email the agreement to the judge by the five-business-day submission deadline.
If the Judgment references a Confidential Settlement Agreement, the agreement must be submitted to the judge for her review via email at SavinChambers@oaklandcountymi.gov by this deadline, as well.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment
A re-Notice of Hearing or re-Praecipe does not replace directly contacting chambers to report a motion withdrawal or adjournment.
Filing a re-Notice of Hearing or a re-Praecipe does not replace the need to contact Judge Savin’s chambers directly to inform the Court that you are withdrawing or adjourning your motion.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Abandoned Motions
To withdraw or adjourn a motion, contact chambers by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Tuesday.
To withdraw or adjourn your motion, you must contact chambers by 4:00 pm the Tuesday before the motion is scheduled to be heard.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Call — Abandoned Motions
Request prisoner phone-conference participation at least seven days before the hearing, or as soon as practicable based on the incarceration date.
In order to have sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements, requests for a prisoner to participate by phone conference must be made to chambers at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing date, or as soon as practicable based on the participant's incarceration date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Timeframe for Prisoner Participation
Allow the Court two business days to review final documents before contacting staff to request Zoom proofs.
Please allow the Court two (2) business days to review your final documents before contacting staff to request to take proofs by Zoom.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Taking Proofs for a Consent Judgment or Default Judgment
Parties may place a settlement on the record without a motion by notifying the judge’s clerk and requesting a hearing time at least five business days in advance.
Parties may place a settlement on the record without filing a motion by notifying the judge's clerk and requesting a hearing time with at least five (5) business days’ advance notice.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Settlements
Questions about Motion Call may be submitted to chambers by email or phone.
You may submit any other questions about the motion call via email to SavinChambers@oaklandcountymi.gov or call Judge Savin’s Chambers at (248)858-5285.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Hybrid Motion Call FAQs