Child Support in Michigan
What Is Child Support?
Child support is a financial obligation that a parent has to pay to support her or his child. This continues as they age and mature. Are you the parent who has custody of your son or daughter currently? If so, then the court will assume that the child receives full financial support while residing in your residence.
However, if your child does not live in your house and she or he is not currently under your custody, the court may require you to pay child support to the custodial parent. In Michigan, the Family Division of the Circuit Court handles all cases regarding child custody and child support.
In Michigan, this means that you have to make payments to the custodial parent until your child reaches adulthood. There are other situations where you may only have to make payments until the courts have legally declared your child as emancipated or your daughter or son goes into military active duty. Keep in mind that if your child has special needs, there may be a requirement that you have to make child support payments past the legal age of adulthood.
Terminating Rights
Do you wonder if you can terminate your parental rights and not pay child support? Most states will not allow a parent to do this and cease support unless certain requirements are met. There may be some situations where a court terminates financial responsibilities if both parents agree that one party no longer has to provide financial support to their shared son or daughter. One situation where a parent may be able to terminate her or his responsibility to child support is if someone else, like a stepparent, adopts the child.
Michigan Law provides a list of circumstances that can justify termination of parental rights by the court. For example, the court may do so if the child has been abandoned, or if the child has suffered physical or sexual abuse, or neglect. Also, termination of rights can result If the parent is imprisoned for such a period that the child will be deprived of a normal home for more than 2 years. Voluntary termination of parental rights is typically only granted if someone is willing to adopt the child. In this case, a Release of Child by Parent can be filed with the Circuit Court.
Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Michigan lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.
Get in contact with us today to get in touch with an experienced legal advocate in your area.
How a Michigan Child Support Attorney Can Help You
If you’re facing ongoing challenges in getting the other parent to pay child support, a skilled attorney can explain your options and help you make the best decisions for your child’s well-being.
Many parents struggle with non-paying ex-partners, but hiring an experienced lawyer can provide valuable guidance through the legal process. With professional help, you’ll have a stronger chance of securing the financial support your child needs for a stable and secure upbringing.
In Michigan, child support can be obtained through a court order, typically as part of a child custody action. Alternatively, you may apply for child support through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Office of Child Support.
The Friend of the Court can enforce payments in a variety of ways. Through driver’s license suspensions, income withholding, passport denial, and property liens. Tax refund intercept and surcharges can also be used. Additionally, failure to pay child support in Michigan is a criminal offense that can result in hefty fines and jail time.
Whether you are looking to receive child support payments as a part of an agreed-upon divorce settlement or you are not married and looking to receive financial support, hiring a legal professional in Michigan with a background in child support can help to streamline the entire process. Without the help of a legal advocate, the cost of living can quickly drain your bank account and involve traumatic experiences for your unsupported children.
Working with an attorney can help you to:
- Establish paternity
- Answer a child support petition
- File a petition for support
- Request a child support order
- Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
- Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
- Represent you in court
- Locate the other parent
- Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
- Prove income
- Determine any factors that a court will look at to calculate how much is owed
- Educate you on the available child support enforcement options
- Give you an estimate of how much financial support you may receive from the other parent
If you believe you’re entitled to child support or that the current amount isn’t sufficient, don’t let your child miss out on the financial support they deserve. Partner with a dedicated attorney who will advocate for both your rights and your child’s best interests.
Information to Share With Your Lawyer
As you work with your lawyer, make sure you share proper documentation to better ensure that you can properly proceed with your case in Michigan. The information that you need to share with your attorney includes:
- Check stubs for the last two years or more if applicable
- Outstanding debts
- A change in debt, such as filing for bankruptcy
- Paternity records
- Adoption records
- Previous child support payment records
- Bonds, stocks or any retirement account records
- Tax return records
- Purchase of sale records for a home, land, or any other type of assets
- Any child support forms that you have
Michigan developed a formula for determining child support in the state, by using the Income Shares Model. This model is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received had the parents stayed together.
The formula is subject to review and changes periodically. As well, its figures are updated for economic changes, like inflation adjustment. The most current version of Child Support Formula Manuals can be found on the Friend of the Court Bureau website. Child support in Michigan can be paid online through the centralized Michigan State Disbursement Unit.
Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Michigan
Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to an attorney equipped to help you in this delicate situation. Call now or fill out the simple form below to take steps to protect your children’s interests. Learn more about your child support law options below.
One of our expert Michigan attorneys will help to navigate you through the legal system to get you the money you and your kid should have. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Michigan state lines.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
