--- name: mi-file-packet description: > This skill should be used when assembling and filing a complete Michigan court motion or pleading packet. Triggers include "file a Michigan court packet", "assemble my Michigan filing", "how do I e-file in Michigan", "MiFILE e-filing", "MiCOURT TrueFiling", "TrueFiling Michigan", "what documents do I file with my Michigan motion", "Michigan filing checklist", "redact PII Michigan MCR 1.109", "protect personal identifying information Michigan", "Michigan filing fee", "MC 20 fee waiver", "do I file on paper or electronically in Michigan". Walks through assembly of the multi- document packet (motion + brief + notice of hearing + proof of service + proposed order + exhibits), the MiFILE / TrueFiling e-filing channel and whether it is mandatory in the venue, the MCR 1.109(D)(9) protected-personal-identifying-information redaction rule, the filing-fee question and the MC 20 fee waiver, and the difference between filing and service. version: 0.1.0 --- # Assemble a Michigan Court Filing Packet > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This skill walks through filing mechanics. > Verify the e-filing platform, document types, fees, and pro-se > acceptance with the filing court's clerk before submitting. Use this skill when ready to **submit** a Michigan trial-court filing. First determine the **filing channel** for the venue, then assemble and preflight the multi-document packet. ## Michigan e-filing — MiFILE / MiCOURT (TrueFiling) Michigan's statewide e-filing system is **MiFILE**, built on the Tyler Technologies **TrueFiling** platform and reached through the **MiCOURT** portal. E-filing is governed by **MCR 1.109(G)** (electronic filing and electronic service). E-filing has been rolling out **court by court**, and is **mandatory in many courts** for many case types — but not every court or case type is live. Before assuming the channel, confirm for the specific court: 1. **Whether MiFILE / TrueFiling is live** in that court; and 2. **Whether e-filing is mandatory** for the case type, or paper is still accepted. Where the court is not yet on MiFILE, file on **paper** at the clerk's window (see below). ## E-filing workflow (MiFILE / TrueFiling) The TrueFiling shape is consistent across courts: 1. Register / log in to a MiFILE account through the MiCOURT portal 2. Search for the case by case number or party name (or start a new case for an initial filing) 3. Select the court, case type, and the **filing / document type** for each component 4. Upload each component as a **separate PDF** (text-searchable; verify any bookmark / size requirements for long filings) 5. Pay any filing fee, or attach the **MC 20** fee-waiver request 6. Submit; the system returns a file-stamp / acceptance confirmation and effects electronic service on registered parties ## Paper filing (courts not on MiFILE) Where e-filing is unavailable, bring clean copies to the clerk's window during business hours; the clerk file-stamps the original and returns a stamped copy. Confirm whether the court accepts mail or drop-box filings, and how many copies (judge's copy / conformed copy) the court wants. ## Multi-document packet — typical components A standard Michigan motion packet consists of these documents: | # | Document | Authority / note | |---|----------|------| | 1 | Motion | MCR 2.119 | | 2 | Brief in support (if used) | MCR 2.119(A)(2); page limits are local | | 3 | Notice of Hearing | MCR 2.119(C) notice period; see `mi-schedule-hearing` | | 4 | Supporting affidavit (sworn) | MCR 2.119(B); MRE 803(6) records foundation | | 5 | Exhibits | Attach written instruments referenced in the motion | | 6 | Proposed Order | Submitted with the motion; see `mi-submit-order` | | 7 | Proof of Service | MCR 2.107(D) — date, method, recipients | Choose the closest matching document-type label in the TrueFiling menu; the menus vary by court and case type. ## Personal identifying information — MCR 1.109(D)(9) Michigan **protects personal identifying information** in court filings under **MCR 1.109(D)(9)**. Before filing, review every component (including exhibits) and handle protected PII as the rule requires — generally by **excluding or partially redacting** items such as Social Security / financial-account numbers and similar identifiers, and using the **MC 97 / MC 97a** addendum mechanism where the protected data must be supplied to the court but kept out of the public filing. > Verify the exact subrule text and the current MC 97-series > procedure against `mi-law-references` — the precise list of > protected identifiers and the partial-redaction format are set by > rule, and the filing court may have additional requirements. The redacting party is responsible for the redaction; the clerk does not redact for you. ## Preflight — run the helper scripts Before assembling the packet: ``` # Format / MCR 1.109 caption + form check python3 plugins/mi-court-docs/scripts/format-check.py path/to/filing.docx # Deadline arithmetic — MCR 1.108 computation, MCR 2.107(C) service # add-ons, with Michigan court-holiday handling python3 plugins/mi-court-docs/scripts/case-calendar.py ... ``` Use `case-calendar.py` to confirm the motion's hearing is noticed with the required lead time under **MCR 2.119(C)** and to compute any response deadline with the applicable service add-on. ## Filing fees Filing fees are set by statute and the clerk's fee schedule and vary by court and case type. **Confirm the current amount with the filing court's clerk** before submitting; do not hard-code a figure. Pay by the platform's accepted method (card / e-check) or at the clerk's cashier window for paper filings. ### Fee waiver — MC 20 A filer who cannot afford the fees may request a waiver by filing the **MC 20** (Fee Waiver Request / affidavit and order suspending fees) with the first filing — do not pay and seek a refund later. The court reviews the request and enters an order granting, denying, or deferring fees. Verify the current MC 20 form and eligibility standard with the clerk. See `mi-pro-se`. ## Filing vs. service — two distinct steps Filing with the court is **not** the same as serving the opposing party: 1. **Filing** — through MiFILE / TrueFiling or at the clerk's window. 2. **Service of process** (initial summons + complaint) — under **MCR 2.105**, with the summons issued under **MCR 2.102** and its life / return governed by that rule (verify the current summons validity period). 3. **Service of subsequent papers** (motions, notices, orders) — under **MCR 2.107**, on every party by an allowed method; document it in the **Proof of Service** under MCR 2.107(D). Add the applicable service period under **MCR 2.107(C)** when service is by mail or other non-personal method. If MiFILE performs electronic service on registered parties under MCR 1.109(G) / MCR 2.107(C)(4), a party without an e-filing account must still be served by another allowed MCR 2.107 method — confirm the platform's e-service coverage for each party. ## Pre-filing checklist | Check | Done | |-------|------| | Filing channel identified (MiFILE / TrueFiling vs. paper) and mandatory-vs-optional confirmed for the court + case type | ☐ | | `scripts/format-check.py` run; no FAIL | ☐ | | `scripts/case-calendar.py` confirms MCR 2.119(C) notice lead time + any service add-on | ☐ | | `mi-quality-check` pre-filing review complete | ☐ | | `mi-fact-check` deep audit complete (high-stakes filing) | ☐ | | Caption (court / county / case number) matches across all documents (MCR 1.109(D) + MCR 2.113(C)) | ☐ | | Exhibits attached and referenced | ☐ | | Proposed Order drafted as a separate document | ☐ | | Each component saved as a separate text-searchable PDF | ☐ | | Signature block compliant (MCR 1.109(E)) — bar # (attorney) or self-represented designation | ☐ | | Proof of Service shows method, date, recipients (MCR 2.107(D)) | ☐ | | Protected personal identifying information handled per MCR 1.109(D)(9) (MC 97-series where required) | ☐ | | Filing fee available, or MC 20 fee-waiver request ready | ☐ | | Service-of-process plan (MCR 2.105) / service-of-papers plan (MCR 2.107) ready | ☐ | ## Composition - For statewide format baseline: `mi-statewide-format` - For drafting each component: `mi-draft-motion`, `mi-draft-declaration`, `mi-draft-order`, `mi-draft-note` - For pre-filing review: `mi-quality-check` (lighter) and `mi-fact-check` (deep evidentiary) - For clearing the hearing date and the Notice of Hearing: `mi-schedule-hearing` - For court-specific filing channels and local rules: `mi-wayne`, `mi-oakland`, `mi-circuit-courts`, `mi-district-courts`, `mi-36th-district` - For pro-se filers (MC 20 fee waiver, self-represented conventions): `mi-pro-se` - For deadline arithmetic: `mi-deadlines` - For post-hearing order submission: `mi-submit-order` ## References - `mi-law-references` for MCR 1.108, 1.109, 2.102, 2.105, 2.107, 2.113, and 2.119 text and the MCR 1.109(D)(9) protected-PII subrule - The MiCOURT / MiFILE portal and the filing court's clerk for the current e-filing status, document types, and fee schedule - Confirm whether e-filing is mandatory in the venue before assuming a channel — Michigan e-filing is rolling out court by court.