Michigan Child Support Laws 2025: What Parents Need to Know

Are you wondering how the new Michigan child support law of 2025 could affect your family?

Recent updates changed how courts calculate and enforce support. These changes could raise or lower what you pay or receive. If you have questions about the updates or believe your current order is no longer suitable, now is the time to review it.

A family law attorney can explain how the new rules apply to your case and help you ask for changes if necessary. Whether you’re paying or receiving support, a lawyer can help you take the right steps to protect your interests and meet your child’s needs.

Overview of Michigan Child Support Laws in 2025

Michigan recently enacted updates to its child support rules, which took effect on January 1, 2025. These rules guide how courts decide the amount each parent should pay to support their children.

The Michigan Child Support Formula instructs courts on how to calculate support based on income, parenting time, and other expenses, such as medical care and childcare. Every four years, Michigan updates this formula. The new version for 2025 includes changes to how courts treat income, calculate expenses, and allow exceptions.

These changes will impact families in various ways, particularly those with atypical incomes or parenting arrangements. Courts must follow the formula unless a compelling reason warrants a different approach.

Key Changes to Child Support Laws for 2025

The 2025 update made over 20 changes to Michigan’s child support formula. Some of the most important changes affect how courts handle medical expenses and childcare costs.

Parents now pay the first $200 per child each year for ordinary medical costs, instead of $454. For childcare, the law raised the age limit to include children until the end of the month they turn 13.

Additionally, courts now use each parent’s actual share of family income to divide support amounts, rather than adhering to the traditional 10 to 90 percent limit. The update also removed and clarified some reasons courts can use to justify a different support amount than the formula suggests.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Michigan

Michigan courts use the Michigan Child Support Formula to calculate the amount of support one parent must pay to the other. The formula considers each parent’s income, the number of overnights the child spends with each parent, and expenses such as health insurance, childcare, and ordinary medical expenses.

Courts typically run two calculations, one for each parent, and compare the amounts. The difference between the two is what one parent owes the other. Courts can also adjust the support if the facts of the case make the standard amount unfair.

In cases involving unusual income amounts, such as those involving parents who are self-employed or have no steady employment, courts may review business profits or adjust for depreciation as necessary.

Factors Courts Consider for Child Support Orders

Courts typically follow the Michigan Child Support Formula when calculating child support, but may order different amounts in special cases.

These include cases involving children with special medical or schooling needs, one parent supporting other children, or one parent who is incarcerated or otherwise unable to work. The court doesn’t have to make a change just because one of these reasons exists.

Judges can also consider other facts that aren’t on the list if they think it makes sense to do so. The goal of every support order is to make sure the support amount is fair and works for the family.

Deviations from the Child Support Formula

Michigan courts usually follow the child support formula, but they can order different amounts when appropriate.

This is called a deviation. In 2025, the law made it clear that courts don’t have to implement a deviation just because one applies. Judges can still consider it, but they can also look at other reasons that aren’t on the official list. Some common factors that may lead to child support deviation include high childcare costs, support for stepchildren, or parental medical conditions.

The court examines each case to determine whether the standard formula is effective or not. If not, the judge can adjust the support amount.

When and How to Modify Child Support in Michigan

Parents can ask the court to modify child support orders if something important changes.

Either parent can request a review every three years, or sooner if there is a significant change, such as job loss, disability, or a substantial change in parenting time.

To start, the parent seeking the child support modification must file a request with the Friend of the Court or the court itself. The court then looks at the new information and runs the formula again. If the numbers are sufficiently different, the court will issue a new order.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

If a parent fails to pay the support they owe, Michigan law grants the court the authority to take child support enforcement steps.

For example, the Friend of the Court can garnish wages, seize tax refunds, or suspend a person’s license. Courts can also hold hearings to figure out why child support payments stopped.

If a parent can’t pay because of something unavoidable, like illness or jail, the court may adjust the order, but the parent must show proof. Judges take unpaid child support seriously. Parents must act quickly if they run into problems regarding their child support obligations. Ignoring the issue can lead to more legal trouble and higher costs later.

Child Support for Children Over 18

In most cases, Michigan law does not permit child support after the child reaches 18.

However, if the child is still in high school full-time and living with a parent at 18, support can continue until they turn 19 and a half. The support order must state this clearly. Courts don’t extend support past 19 and a half unless the parents agree in writing.

If a child turns 18 and meets those conditions, the paying parent must continue making payments until the deadline. If the child graduates or drops out before then, support will end.

Contact our Michigan Child Support Lawyers

Do you need help with a child support issue under Michigan’s new rules?

Whether you want to change an order, request enforcement, or simply get clear answers, the team at Alward Fisher can help. We are familiar with the law and understand what matters most to parents.

Contact us now to arrange your initial consultation. We’ll talk with you, review your case, and help you decide what to do next.