michigan Child Support Lawyer

When a child’s parents divorce or break up, both are still legally required to help pay for the child’s upbringing. The payments of a non-custodial parent to the custodial parent are known as child support, and this amount is calculated in court.

Without the help of an experienced child support lawyer, however, you may end up paying too much for child support (if you are the payer), or you may be receiving too little (if you are the payee). At the Bloomfield Family Law Firm, our team of attorneys is ready to help ensure you are treated fairly in regards to the finances of your child.

Child Support Payments in Oakland and macomb County

Child support is the court-ordered payment a non-custodial parent must pay to the custodial parent to help raise their child. Child support payment usually continues until a child turns 18, or 19.5 if they are still a full-time student at the age of 18. Child support is typically ordered in a divorce case, but it can also be included in a court dispute when the parents were never married.


The total amount of child support payments owed will include a base amount and account for additional costs for health care and child care but will ultimately be based on Michigan state guidelines.

Calculation for child support is based on a number of different factors, including:

  • The financial circumstances of both parents

  • The number of children in the household

  • Number of overnights (nights a child spends in the household)

  • Health care costs

  • Child care costs

During child support proceedings, a judge will follow state guidelines to determine an appropriate amount, unless the court finds the calculation somehow unfair or unjust under specific circumstances.

Additionally, if both parents agree on another calculation method, the judge can take this agreement into account but is not obligated to follow the wishes of the parents.

If you and your co-parent want to discuss a different method of calculation for child support, or you wish to dispute the normal calculation method for another reason, it’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible on the matter.

How Does Child Support Work in Oakland and macomb County?

In Michigan, child support is handled by a branch of the Department of Human Services known as Child Support Services.

Once child support is ordered, the payer (non-custodial parent) will be required to pay monthly to cover the other parent’s child care costs. In most cases, child support payments are automatically withheld from the payer’s wages and forwarded to the payee (custodial parent).

In other cases, such as when the payer is self-employed, the payer can make payments directly to the payee or through the Friend of the Court, depending on what the Child Support Order requires.

Child support amounts can be changed over time, however, if there is a custody change or either parent experiences a change in income.

If one parent experiences a significant change in income of at least 10 percent or $50 per month (whichever is more), the case will automatically be recalculated after the change.

Either parent can also request a change in the child support amount for the same reasons.
Is the Non-Custodial Parent Required to Pay Child Support?

It’s important to note that parental rights have no bearing on child support calculation. Even if a parent agrees to have their parental rights terminated, they will still be required to pay child support.

But what happens if the payer fails to pay their child support?

The following penalties may occur:
  • Income withheld
  • A lien placed on a payer’s property
  • Tax refunds, lottery winnings, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation intercepted
  • A bench warrant for the person’s arrest may be issued
  • Driver’s, occupational, sporting and/or recreational licenses suspended
  • Passport denial
  • Contempt proceedings in court
  • Felony prosecution
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