Child Support
Child support attorney in Michigan
Your children deserve to be provided for. We connect you with an experienced Michigan attorney who can help you establish, change, or enforce a fair child support order.
Child support in Michigan, explained simply
Michigan uses a formula to set child support. It considers each parent's income, the number of children, the amount of parenting time, and certain costs such as childcare and health insurance. The goal is a fair amount that meets the children's needs.
Support is not set once and forgotten. It can be modified when incomes or circumstances change, and it can be enforced when payments fall behind. The county Friend of the Court and the state work together to collect and enforce support.
We are a referral service, not a law firm. We connect you with a Michigan attorney who handles support cases and who will explain your numbers and options clearly.
What a support case can involve
- Establishing support. Setting an order using the Michigan formula, often alongside custody or paternity.
- Modifying support. Adjusting the amount when income, parenting time, or costs change.
- Enforcing support. Collecting past-due support through the Friend of the Court and state enforcement tools.
- Within a divorce. Support is often decided as part of a divorce.
How matching works
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services runs the state child support program, and the county Friend of the Court handles collection and enforcement. The attorney we match you with will guide you through how support is calculated and enforced in your county.
Child support questions, answered
How is child support calculated in Michigan?
Michigan uses a formula based on each parent's income, the number of children, the amount of parenting time, and certain costs such as childcare and health insurance. Your attorney can estimate your likely numbers.
Can child support be changed?
Yes. Support can be modified when there is a significant change, such as a change in income, parenting time, or a child's needs. You generally have to request a review or file a motion.
What happens if the other parent does not pay?
The county Friend of the Court has enforcement tools, including income withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension, and contempt proceedings. An attorney can help you pursue past-due support.
How long does child support last in Michigan?
Support generally continues until the child turns 18, and can extend to 19 and a half if the child is still in high school and living at home. Your order will state the specifics.
Does parenting time affect the support amount?
Yes. The number of overnights each parent has is part of the formula, so changes to the parenting time schedule can change the support amount.
What is the Friend of the Court's role in support?
The Friend of the Court helps establish, collect, and enforce support and keeps records of payments. Your attorney works with this office on your behalf.
Can we agree on a support amount ourselves?
Parents can agree, but the court reviews the amount to make sure it is appropriate for the children. An attorney helps make sure any agreement will be accepted and is fair.
Do I need a lawyer for a child support issue?
You are not required to have one, but support involves detailed calculations and enforcement rules. The consultation is free, with no obligation, so you can understand your options first.
Free consultation
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Make sure support is fair
Free, confidential, and no obligation. We will connect you with a trusted Michigan child support attorney.