The Michigan MC 02 appearance form is a one-page SCAO-approved document that an attorney or guardian ad litem files to formally enter a Michigan trial court case. Filing it tells the court and every other party that you represent someone in the lawsuit, which locks in your right to receive every future filing and notice. If you’ve just been served or just retained a lawyer, moving quickly matters: a defendant personally served in Michigan has 21 days to respond, and letting that clock run out can produce a default judgment.1Court Rules Network. Rule 2.108 Time MCR
Who Files It and By When
Michigan Court Rule 2.117 governs appearances. An attorney enters a case by any act showing they represent a party, but if that act doesn’t itself involve filing something with the court, the attorney must promptly file a written appearance and serve it on everyone entitled to service.2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR A party can also appear on their own by filing a notice or by showing up in court, though a physical appearance still needs a written follow-up.
The deadline pressure comes from MCR 2.108. A defendant served with a summons and complaint inside Michigan has 21 days to answer or take other permitted action. If served outside Michigan or by registered mail, that stretches to 28 days.1Court Rules Network. Rule 2.108 Time MCR
One boundary worth stating plainly: filing the MC 02 by itself is not defending the case. It gets you on the service list, but it does not substitute for an answer or motion, and it does not expand the court’s jurisdiction over the party beyond what already exists.2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR File the appearance and the responsive pleading together, or at least on the same timeline.
Filling Out the Form
The MC 02 is available as a PDF from the Michigan Courts website under the SCAO-approved general use forms.3Michigan Courts. General Use Forms Pull the summons or complaint before you start, because it carries the case number, court name, and judge assignment you need to copy exactly.
The top of the form asks for court identification: judicial district or judicial circuit, county or probate designation, the assigned case number with the judge’s name, and the court’s address and telephone number. Match the court where the case was filed. Michigan case numbers often carry letter prefixes or suffixes that signal the case type, so include every character.4Michigan Courts. Michigan Court Form MC 02
Below the court header, list the names of plaintiffs (or petitioners) and defendants (or respondents). There’s also an “In the matter of” line for probate or similar proceedings.
The next section is addressed to the clerk, all attorneys of record, and any unrepresented parties. Fill in the names and addresses of every person or attorney who should receive a copy of the appearance.4Michigan Courts. Michigan Court Form MC 02
The body of the form is where you identify yourself. Check whether you are entering the case as an attorney or as a guardian ad litem, and whether you were appointed by the court or retained privately. The form includes a certification line reading: “I certify that I represent no other interest whatsoever of any party to this cause, except as follows.” Disclose any potential conflict in that space. Then sign, date, and print your name along with your bar number, firm name, mailing address, city, state, zip, and telephone number.4Michigan Courts. Michigan Court Form MC 02
Limited Appearances
Michigan allows an attorney to represent a party for a limited purpose, such as handling specific depositions, hearings, discovery, or motions rather than the entire case. The authority comes from MCR 2.117(B)(2)(c) and Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct 1.2(b).2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR The MC 02 itself does not have a checkbox for this. Its checkboxes cover only whether you appear as attorney or guardian ad litem and whether appointed or retained.
To enter a limited appearance, file and serve a separate notice of limited appearance identifying the scope of your involvement by date, time period, or subject matter, and serve it on all parties of record. Once filed, you must stay within that scope. If your work drifts past it, opposing counsel can move, or the court can issue an order to show cause, to pin down what you’re actually handling.2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR While a limited appearance is active, every filing in the case must be served on both the attorney and the client.5Michigan Judicial Institute. Stages of Limited Scope Representation
How to File It
Michigan is rolling out the MiFILE electronic filing system statewide. Once a court goes live on MiFILE, attorneys must e-file through it. Some courts also require e-filing from self-represented litigants, so confirm your specific court’s requirements before assuming paper is still accepted.6Michigan Courts. For Filers in Trial Courts A MiFILE account is free, and the court’s filing fees are the same whether you e-file or submit on paper.7Michigan Courts. MiFILE Brochure
In courts that haven’t adopted MiFILE, you can hand the completed form to the clerk’s office or send it by mail. Either way, keep a stamped copy with any confirmation numbers for your records.
If you cannot afford the fees, Michigan courts offer a fee waiver through SCAO Form MC 20. You qualify if your gross household income falls below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, if you receive means-tested public assistance such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or WIC, or if paying would cause financial hardship even at an income above that threshold. File the MC 20 with the court. If it’s denied, you have 14 days to pay the fee or file a Request for Review of Denied Fee Waiver using Form MC 114.8Michigan Courts. MC 20 Fee Waiver Request
Serving the Other Parties
Filing with the court is half the job. MCR 2.117 requires you to serve your written appearance on all parties entitled to service, and the MC 02 itself directs you to list the clerk, all attorneys of record, and any unrepresented parties.4Michigan Courts. Michigan Court Form MC 02
Under MCR 2.107, the method depends on whether the court has implemented electronic filing. In MiFILE courts, electronic service is generally the default. Elsewhere, service on an attorney goes to the attorney’s last known business address, service on a party goes to the address stated in that party’s pleadings, and both delivery and first-class mail are acceptable.
After serving everyone, document it. The MC 02 does not include a proof-of-service section. Prepare a separate proof of service showing the date and method you used for each recipient, then file that with the court.
What Happens After You File
Once your appearance is on record, the court and every opposing party must send you every motion, notice, order, and other filing for the duration of the case. That right flows from MCR 2.117(A)(2), which entitles an appearing party to service of all documents under MCR 2.107(A).2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR The contact information on your form becomes the address for all official correspondence. Keep it current. If you move or change your details mid-case, file an updated appearance or notify the court promptly, or you risk missing hearing dates and deadlines.
The appearance lasts until a final judgment or order disposes of all claims involving the party you represent and the time for an appeal of right has passed, unless the court orders otherwise.2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR
What Happens If You Don’t File
Skipping or delaying the appearance carries real consequences for defendants. If a party fails to plead or otherwise defend within the MCR 2.108 deadlines, the court clerk can enter a default, either on the clerk’s own knowledge or on a verified request from the opposing party.9Michigan Courts. Default and Default Judgments
From there, the opposing party can move for a default judgment. If the claim is for a specific dollar amount, the defendant never appeared, and the defendant is not a minor or incapacitated person, the clerk can enter the judgment without a hearing. Otherwise the court holds a hearing on damages. The defaulted party must receive at least seven days’ notice before judgment is entered.9Michigan Courts. Default and Default Judgments
A default judgment is collectible like any other. The plaintiff can garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and pursue other enforcement remedies. Getting out from under one means filing a motion to set aside the default, typically on a showing of excusable neglect, and courts don’t grant those lightly. Filing your appearance and answer inside the 21-day window is the far easier path.
Withdrawing an Appearance
An attorney who wants to leave a case after filing an appearance needs court permission. Under MCR 2.117(C), the appearance persists until all claims involving the represented party are resolved and the appeal deadline passes, unless the court orders otherwise. To withdraw, the attorney files a motion explaining the reasons, serves it on the client and all other parties, and waits for the ruling. Courts can deny withdrawal if granting it would delay trial or prejudice the client.2Court Rules Network. Rule 2.117 Appearances MCR
For a limited appearance, the exit is more structured. Once the attorney finishes the tasks identified in the notice of limited appearance, a notice of termination of limited scope representation must be filed. Until that termination notice is on record, court filings and other written communications keep going to both the attorney and the client.5Michigan Judicial Institute. Stages of Limited Scope Representation