How Much Is Child Support in Michigan?

Child support is a legal obligation in which the noncustodial parent must provide financial support to the custodial parent or guardian for the care and upbringing of their children. The law recognizes children deserve financial assistance from both parents, even if those parents are not together.

Generally speaking, this child support is meant to help the custodial parent pay for their child’s:

• Necessities, such as food, shelter, and clothing
• Healthcare, including insurance premiums, co-pays, prescriptions, medical, and dental expenses
• Education and related costs, including tuition, school fees, books, and supplies
• Childcare, so the custodial parent can meet work or other obligations
• Transportation, including going to school, doctor appointments, or visitation with the noncustodial parent
• Extracurricular activities such as sports, music lessons, and other enrichment depending on the family’s financial situation

Michigan Child Support Formula: What Is It and How Is It Calculated?

Michigan uses a system called the Income Shares Model to make child support determinations. This method considers both parents’ combined incomes and the number of children involved. It also considers each parent’s income percentage (their share of the combined income) and their care percentage (their share of parenting time). If a parent’s income percentage is higher than their care percentage, they usually make child support payments. 

Michigan Child Support Calculator

How is child support calculated in Michigan? Through a software program called the Michigan State Disbursement Unit’s Children’s Economic Tool (CET). Before you can calculate child support in Michigan, you will need to know:

• Gross income for each parent
• Number of overnights with each child per parent
• Healthcare costs for each child
• Childcare expenses for each child
• Healthcare and childcare costs for both parents or a custodian

However, there are times when the courts can deviate from this calculation, such as when:

• The child has special needs
• One of the parents is a minor
• The court awards one parent property in place of child support
• Doing so is in the best interests of the child

The child support formula is reviewed, updated, and changed periodically. 

How an Experienced Child Support Lawyer at Alward Fisher Can Help

A child support lawyer can provide valuable legal assistance and representation if you are dealing with issues related to child support, including by:

• Calculating child support payments based on your financial situation, income, and expenses to determine the appropriate amount of child support that should be paid or received
• Enforcing child support orders by filing contempt motions or pursuing wage garnishment to ensure the payment of child support 
• Modifying child support orders due to a change in income or a significant life event
• Resolving disputes through negotiations or mediation sessions with the other parent or their lawyer
• Providing representation in court, if necessary

If you have problems regarding your child support arrangement, get in touch with an experienced family law attorney immediately. The sooner you do, the more they can do on your behalf.

Contact Alward Fisher Today

Michigan child support laws are complex. A child support lawyer with Alward Fisher can explain your rights and work hard to protect them. Contact our family law firm for a confidential consultation.