Thank you to all who attended our annual meeting on the last day of our Annual Conference on May 22, 2026.  We had our elections and your new Board is set and ready to represent RAM for next two years.  A huge thank you goes out to all of the Board members, speakers, members and guests responsible for making our 42nd Annual Conference the success it was!
 
Let us introduce you to the RAM 2026-2028 Board.  Each member brings experience, network connections, and leadership that are critical to ensuring our organization remains at the forefront of information, guidance, training, and expertise, as is required in our important work.  Their service to this organization is so appreciated.
 
President
Tyler Martinez works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee. He has been on the RAM Board since 2021. He is co-chair of the Communications Committee and also a co-editor of the Referees Quarterly.
 
Vice President
Stephanie Witucki works in Wayne County as a Domestic Referee. She has been on the RAM Board since 2020 and serves as the chair of the Membership Committee.
 
Treasurer
Michelle Letourneau-McAvoy works in Oakland County as a Domestic Referee.  She has been on the RAM Board since 2016. She serves as chair of the Finance Committee. She also served as a Past President and was a former chair of the Membership Committee.
 
Secretary
Melissa Sytsma works in Kalamazoo County as a Domestic and Juvenile Referee.  She has been on the RAM Board since 2019.  She has served in her current role since 2022. 

Ethics Committee, Referee Ilyssa Cimmino (Oakland), shares the committee voted on adopting an FAQ regarding Judge’s receiving free lunches at Educational Events put on by specialty groups, (i.e.) police organizations.  Also, the ethics committee created a Judicial Law Clerks Resource.  The resource is out for a vote with another committee but should be adopted and published shortly. The committee is looking to create a group to come up with an Opinion regarding what’s permitted re Judges Fundraising for Specialty Courts
 
Juvenile Justice Partnership Committee, Referee Patrick O’Meara of Oakland County and Katelyn Andrews of Ottawa County are the representatives on this committee.  Referee O’Meara reports there was a presentation from officials in Wayne County about their Status Offender Diversion Program. The presenters were Toielynn Smith, [email protected] , and Sonya Ristic, [email protected]. They have had over 70 participants and have achieved good results. This was very encouraging because status offenders can be some of the more difficult cases a juvenile referee will handle.
​
There is a customized screening tool in development to eventually replace the Michigan Juvenile Justice Assessment System (MJJAS) screening tool. Its implementation is years away, but they are working to improve the MJJAS.
 
Finally, there has been an amendment to MCR 3.942. It took effect on May 1, 2026. The amended rule requires that, in delinquency bench trials, the hearing officer must make findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record or in a written opinion. It also allows defense counsel to move for a directed verdict at the close of the prosecutor’s case-in-chief.
 
There is also a proposed amendment, which is nearly certain to be adopted, to MCR 3.972. It is still in the comment phase, but it is analogous to MCR 3.942. It would require findings of fact and conclusions of law to be made on the record or in writing, and it would allow for dismissal at the close of the petitioner’s case-in-chief.

Custody
 
Hamilton v Kronback, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued January 15, 2026 (Docket No. 374950) Livingston County
 
After an initial child-support action, the trial court ordered joint legal custody and granted the defendant parenting time, including three weekends per month. About two and a half years later, the plaintiff moved to modify custody, parenting time, and child support, alleging proper cause and changed circumstances based on the defendant’s substance-related criminal charges, lack of a driver’s license, alleged unsafe driving with the child, poor co-parenting, and logistical issues.
 
At an evidentiary hearing, the plaintiff acknowledged that defendant (or his family) consistently exercised parenting time and that the child continued to attend visits, even when defendant was incarcerated or in treatment. Defendant admitted to criminal convictions but testified to ongoing compliance with sobriety court and treatment, denied endangering the child, and explained that family members assisted during parenting time when necessary. Defendant and his mother testified that the defendant maintained a strong relationship with the child and remained involved in schooling and therapy.
 
The referee questioned whether an established custodial environment existed and recommended mediation. Defendant objected, and the trial court reviewed the record. The court found that an established custodial environment existed with the defendant and that the plaintiff failed to prove proper cause or a change in circumstances sufficient to modify custody, parenting time, or child support. The plaintiff’s motion was denied in full, and—after clarification—the mediation order was rescinded. The plaintiff appealed.
 
The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s ruling.  The Court noted that, while the parties’ co-parenting relationship was far from ideal, the parties were able to co-parent and make decisions together despite the distance between the parties and the issues raised by Plaintiff. 
 
Affirmed.
 ​

​Child Protection Proceedings
 
Court of Appeals
 
Published Decisions
 
In re L L Gentry, Minor, No 371631, No 376583, Macomb County Circuit Court Family Division, March 18, 2026
 
Best interests case.  Father was convicted in federal court of sexual exploitation of a minor and sentenced to 40 years in prison.  The victims were his child’s half-siblings.  A petition was filed for termination of father’s parental rights.  The first petition was dismissed after two years due to the unavailability of witnesses.  Mother allowed the child to have contact with father while he was prison.  Neither parent told the child about why father was in prison.  The department brought a second petition for termination of parental rights due to mother allowing the child to have contact with father.
 
Father pled no contest to the allegations in the petition.  He stipulated that grounds existed to terminate his parental rights.  Father argued it was not in the child’s best interests to terminate his parental rights because of the length of his prison sentence, that his rights to a child in another county were not terminated, and the child was placed with a relative (mother).  The trial court found best interests, terminating parental rights.
 
The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court.  The strength of a parent-child bond is one factor the court may consider – but not a dispositive fact.  Similarly, placement with a relative is a factor for the court to consider but also not dispositive.  The trial court made a sufficient record of findings to allow for appellate review in finding placement with mother did not weigh against termination of parental rights.

For this edition of the newsletter, we meet RAM member and Oakland County Juvenile Referee Rosston Ramsey.
 
Rosston currently serves as a Juvenile Referee in Oakland County, Michigan, where he handles child welfare, delinquency, and other family law matters. His focus is on making fair and thoughtful decisions that promote accountability while keeping the best interests of children and families at the center of the process.
 
Rosston began his legal career as a Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Mary Ellen Brennan in the Oakland County Circuit Court, where he spent five years assisting with legal research, opinion drafting, and case preparation. He then served for another five years as an Assistant Prosecutor in Oakland County, handling a wide range of criminal matters, including capital offenses, and gaining substantial courtroom and trial experience. Drawing from both judicial and prosecutorial experience, Rosston brings a balanced perspective to his work on the bench. He cares deeply about professionalism, fairness, and ensuring that the work done in family court promotes justice and positive outcomes for young people and families.

The Michigan Legislature is now in the second year of the two-year session 2025-2026. All bills introduced in the first year carry over into this year. Any bills that do not pass in the second year must be reintroduced in the first year of the next legislative session.

Enacted/Passed Bills

Domestic Relations
None yet this session.

Juvenile/Abuse & Neglect
None yet this session.

In Committee/Other

Domestic Relations
HOUSE BILLS 5211-5213 JOINT CUSTODY & EQUAL PARENTING TIME PRESUMPTION AMENDMENTS
This package of bills would amend the Child Custody Act and Parenting Time statute to include a presumption that joint custody and equal parenting time is in a minor child’s best interests, which could be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The amendments would also prevent courts from issuing oral opinions regarding custody and parenting time, requiring findings and conclusions of law in writing.
Status: These set of bills were introduced on November 4, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, referred to a second reading on June 24, 2026, no action since.

Alecia Golm: I would like to give kudos for the Ram Quarterly! Kudos to Greg Toler in Macomb, who was recognized for 35 years of service to the Macomb County Friend of the Court as a Referee. Greg continues to serve as Lead Referee of the Judge Switalski docket.