Personal Protection Order Service of Process Fees

Current understanding

A proposal in the 103rd Michigan Legislature would eliminate the cost of service of process for personal protection orders (PPOs) by amending secs. 2559 and 2950 of the Revised Judicature Act (1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2559 & 600.2950). If enacted, petitioners seeking PPOs would no longer be charged service-of-process fees, shifting that cost away from petitioners (many of whom are domestic violence survivors) and potentially onto courts, sheriffs, or the state. The bill is tie-barred to HB 5121’25 and HB 6033’26.

Evidence log

• 2025-10-23 — Civil procedure: service of process; cost for service of process for personal protection orders; eliminate. Amends secs. 2559 & 2950 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.2559 & 600.2950). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5121’25, HB 6033’26: cross-connection with trial-court-funding: Eliminating PPO service-of-process fees removes a revenue line item (MCL 600.2559) that currently supports court and sheriff service operations, connecting to broader trial court funding reform. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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