When people ask, “how much is child support in Michigan,” you know they are about to enter into a serious financial commitment for an extended period. The process can be financially draining, but it’s a necessary support for the innocent child you and your partner brought into this world.
Michigan has a strict child support law, like other states. Another thing you need to know about child support in the state is that it considers the contribution of the custodial and noncustodial parents.
Furthermore, the court can end or modify child support. However, the obligation to pay may continue unless it ends by the law. In other words, if the child is emancipated, which implies age, getting married, or joining military service, the child support ends.
Here, we’ll share details on the cost of child support in Michigan and other important information you need to know about this topic. Keep reading for more!
What Is Child Support In Michigan?
The definition of child support is the same everywhere. It means a child’s financial support or ongoing payment from a non-custodial parent.
The payment is used to care for the child, not the custodial parent. And it ends when the child is emancipated. Furthermore, the only requirements to initiate child support payment in Michigan are paternity and maternity.
In other words, the court must determine if the child belongs to both parents. If yes, then an agreement on the amount and structure of the child support payments will be made.
Issues regarding child support in Michigan are dealt with at the state level. Both parents can also reach an agreement to settle out of court.
Child support issues often come up during divorce. It doesn’t happen when both parents are still together and happily married.
How Much Is Child Support In Michigan?
The court considers several factors when deciding child support amounts. It also has a specific model for calculating child support in Michigan. So, the amount one has to pay as support isn’t fixed.
The court in Michigan uses the income share model to calculate child support.
At first, the court will try to understand the cost of raising the child or children per month using an economic table.
Once the court determines the monthly cost of raising the kids, the non-custodial parent has to pay a percentage of the total cost based on the proportional share of both parents’ combined income.
Here is a good example:
Let’s assume the non-custodial parent earns $2000 monthly while the custodial parent earns $1000. The court has also calculated that it would take $1000 to take good care of the children for a month.
Using the income-shared model, the non-custodial parent has to pay 66.6% of the parents’ total combined income. In other words, the non-custodial parent will pay $666 monthly or 66.6% of the total child support obligation.
A Handy Tip: Michigan calculates child support using the income share model. It doesn’t use the percentage of income like in most states.
What Is Child Support Arrears In Michigan?
Child support arrears refer to the amount of the child support unpaid by the non-custodial parent. In such scenarios, the state has to move in to collect the money.
How does the state collect unpaid child support? The state can deploy diverse ways to get the money from you. Here are the options below.
- Bank levy
- Wage garnishment
- Withhold welfare benefits and other ways of collecting the child support arrears.
You can face punishment for failure to pay child support on time. For instance, your driver’s license can be suspended.
Can Income Changes Impact Child Support In Michigan?
A change in income will impact the amount you can pay as child support. The court knows this, and so is everyone involved in the arrangement. Thus, the court doesn’t expect you to borrow or resort to illegal means to raise funds for child support.
You can approach the court to modify your support order if your income changes. However, be ready to show the court that a change in circumstances has affected your capacity to continue paying the agreed support amount.
Therefore, if you’re a non-custodial parent whose income has been reduced, you can reduce the amount you pay as child support. But note that you cannot do so without notifying the court. The agreement was made in the court, so you have to approach the court to modify your child support order.
A Handy Tip: The court can ask the custodial parent whose income has increased to pay child support to the non-custodial parent.
Another thing custodial parents paying child support need to know is this. If circumstances change and you can no longer pay the agreed support amount, approach the court immediately.
Be sure to notify the court of your intent to modify the child support instead of waiting for several months after you have experienced the circumstances that lowered your income before notifying the court.
Note that the court won’t go back to when the circumstances started. Instead, the modification will only take effect when the petition gets to the other party.
The modification will take effect from the day you file the petition. In addition, note that there is a minimum threshold for the modification.
Another thing you must note is that you can only file child support modification once every three years unless there’s a significant change that has drastically impacted your income.
Does Child Support Cover College Education Expenses In Michigan?
Firstly, note that Michigan child support law doesn’t have a specific requirement for college expenses. Thus, the court won’t make it mandatory for the non-custodial parent to pay for the child’s college expenses.
College education expenses may only be contractually enforceable when both parents agree. And they have to agree to it voluntarily.
The fact that both parents are no longer together doesn’t mean the children they brought into this world won’t get the education, training and life they deserve. They should get proper training and education to be better individuals in society.
How Are Child Support In Michigan Enforced?
Child support is a big deal in Michigan. Thus, parents should think twice before bringing a child into this world. Support payments are mandatory until the child is emancipated.
Emancipation means the minor is free from parents’ control, and the parents are free from being legally responsible for the child. The child can be emancipated due to age, marriage or military service.
The state child support agency enforces child support payments in Michigan. The agency handles the location of the non-custodial parents, including enforcement of support orders and handling unpaid child support arrears.
When Does Child Support In Michigan End?
Different circumstances may stop you from paying child support. The most popular is the child’s age. If the child turns 18, you may stop paying child support, provided the child has graduated from high school.
On the other hand, if the child is still in high school full-time, you have to wait until the child graduates before support can end. Another window to end support is when the child turns 19, or whichever comes first.
In other words, the child has graduated from high school or is still in high school but has turned 19.
Can Parents Reach Child Support Agreement in Michigan Out of Court?
Parents can reach an agreement on child support amount outside the court. A judge may preview and consider the agreement but may not approve it.
How To Make Child Support Payment In Michigan
Parents need to pay child support and ensure they pay the total amount. Timely payment is also crucial to ensure the child gets the necessities of life on time.
In Michigan, support payment is possible via various channels. The reason is to ensure parents can make their payments conveniently.
You can make your support payments by mail to the State of Michigan Disbursement Unit (MiSDU) or by visiting a designated location.
Electronic payments are also possible, as the state has made various options available. Examples include PayNearMe and ExpertPay. You can pay via check and follow the prompts to choose your preferred payment method.
Conclusion
How much is child support in Michigan? Support doesn’t have a fixed amount. Michigan uses the income share model to calculate child support.
Using this model, the court will first try to understand how much it will take to cater for the kids using an economic table. Once the court determines this, the non-custodial parent must pay a percentage based on the proportional share of both parents’ combined income.
Payment of child support is mandatory. Failure to comply may lead to fines, suspension of driver’s licenses and other punishments. It also doesn’t make sense to deny a child you brought into this world the necessary financial support because you’re divorced from your partner.
