Some couples have a hard time agreeing about property division matters when they divorce. For other couples, the biggest hurdle the face is the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. Child support sits at the intersection of those two issues.
Child support can quickly become a source of frustration for divorcing or separating parents. People who understand the unique Michigan approach to child support can ask for appropriate support from a co-parent or can push back against unreasonable demands. Those who learn about how Michigan calculates child support can more effectively estimate their financial circumstances after they divorce or separate from the other parent of their children.
What is Michigan’s approach to determining child support responsibilities?
Support depends on multiple variables
The way that Michigan calculates child support is relatively complex. The process begins with a base level of support calculated based on the number of minor children in the family and other factors.
The overall division of parenting time is one important consideration. The income of both parents and the standard of living when they cohabitated with one another are also factors that can influence the amount of child support ordered.
The courts can also look at the current and estimated future child care and medical expenses of the children in the family. The courts can order additional support beyond the base amount to cover medical expenses and childcare costs. Children with special needs sometimes require more financial support.
Parents can reach their own agreements
Generally speaking, the recipient parent cannot waive child support if they rely on state aid to support the household. However, parents can potentially reach a mutual agreement related to child support. In cases involving exceptional expenses or a higher standard of living, parents might voluntarily agree to child support levels that are above what the state might order.
Parents can agree to child support arrangements that deviate from the calculations performed by the Friend of the Court. They can cooperate to fill out paperwork and convince a judge that the agreement they negotiated is more appropriate than the amount calculated by the state.
When family circumstances change, child support amounts may change as well. A parent or losing their job or receiving a promotion could be a reason to revisit child support and recalculate the amount. In scenarios where one parent refuses to pay as they should, enforcement actions may be necessary.
Becoming familiar with the basic rules for Michigan child support can help parents as they navigate the family law system. Child support obligations often pass to the parent with higher income and/or less parenting time to better ensure a consistent standard of living at both houses.