Michigan Child Support Attorney
Fair Support Starts With an Accurate Financial Picture
Child support is intended to help meet a child’s needs, but determining the right amount is not always as straightforward as plugging a salary into a calculator. Income, parenting time, health insurance, child-care expenses, and changes in a parent’s financial circumstances can all affect the final support obligation.
At Paul S. Kowal, P.C., we help parents understand how child support is determined and whether the information being used accurately reflects their circumstances. With years of family law experience, attorney Paul S. Kowal assists clients with establishing support, reviewing existing orders, seeking modifications, and addressing disputes involving unpaid support.
Whether you expect to receive child support or will be responsible for paying it, our goal is the same: to pursue an order based on accurate information that addresses the needs of the child while remaining fair and workable for the parents.
Call Paul S. Kowal, P.C. at 586-221-5488 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Michigan?
Michigan uses a statewide Child Support Formula to determine support obligations. The formula establishes a presumptive amount that courts generally follow unless there is a legally sufficient reason to deviate.
Calculating support begins with determining each parent’s income, but “income” for child support purposes can be broader than the number shown on a paycheck. Wages, overtime, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, business income, and other sources may need to be evaluated. The Michigan Child Support Formula seeks to determine the resources actually available to a parent for supporting a child.
Parenting arrangements matter as well. The number of overnight stays with each parent can affect the calculation, as can health-care coverage, ordinary medical expenses, and qualifying child-care costs. The resulting child support obligation may therefore look different for two families with seemingly similar incomes.
Questions can become more complicated when a parent is self-employed, receives substantial overtime or bonuses, owns a business, has fluctuating income, or appears to be earning less than their circumstances suggest. The current Michigan formula contains provisions for evaluating these situations, including circumstances involving reduced or deferred income.
This is why accuracy matters. A support order based on incomplete or misleading financial information can affect both households month after month. Attorney Paul S. Kowal helps clients examine the numbers behind the calculation and identify financial issues that may require closer attention before an order is entered.
When Life Changes, Child Support May Need to Change Too
A child support order may be appropriate when it is entered and become unrealistic several years—or even several months—later.
A parent may lose a job, receive a substantial raise, change careers, experience a significant shift in overtime, or begin earning income from a different source. Parenting schedules can also change, and child-care or health-care expenses may increase or decrease as children grow.
Michigan provides procedures for reviewing and modifying child support. In Macomb County, a parent may request a Friend of the Court review once every three years, and a motion can also be filed with the court to seek modification. A support order does not automatically change simply because the parents’ circumstances have changed.
Timing can therefore be important. If your income has fallen substantially, waiting to address an existing order can allow an obligation that no longer reflects your circumstances to continue. Likewise, a parent receiving support may need to seek review when financial or parenting circumstances have changed enough that the existing amount no longer reflects the current situation.
Past-due support presents a different challenge. Child support and parenting time are treated as separate obligations. A parent generally cannot stop paying support because parenting time is being denied, just as the other parent should not withhold court-ordered parenting time because support payments are behind.
When arrears accumulate, enforcement mechanisms may become available through the Friend of the Court and the court system. We help clients understand what an existing order requires, what options may be available, and how to address support problems before they become more difficult to manage.
Getting the Numbers Right for Your Family
Child support is ultimately about providing for children, but a fair order depends on understanding the financial realities of both parents.
Based in Clinton Township, Paul S. Kowal, P.C. assists parents throughout Macomb County and surrounding Michigan communities with child support matters arising from divorce, custody, paternity, and other family law proceedings. In Macomb County, the Friend of the Court plays an important role in making support recommendations, reviewing existing orders, collecting payments, and enforcing support obligations.
The Friend of the Court does not serve as the individual lawyer for either parent. When income is disputed, a modification is needed, or the numbers do not appear to tell the full story, having an attorney evaluate the circumstances can help you understand whether the proposed support amount accurately reflects Michigan law and your financial situation.
Attorney Paul S. Kowal approaches child support matters with a focus on facts rather than assumptions. We look carefully at income, parenting arrangements, expenses, and other relevant circumstances so clients can make informed decisions about establishing, modifying, or addressing an existing support order.
If you have questions about how much child support you may pay or receive, believe an existing order no longer reflects your circumstances, or are dealing with unpaid support, contact Paul S. Kowal, P.C. to discuss your situation. We can help you understand the numbers, the process, and the options available for moving forward.
FAQs: Child Support
How much will my child support be?
The amount depends on the Michigan formula. A consultation lets us estimate based on your actual numbers.
How long does child support last in Michigan?
Generally until age 18, or up to 19 and a half if the child is in high school and lives with a parent.
Can we agree to a different amount?
Parents may deviate from the guideline with good reasons and court approval. Clear documentation is essential.
Do I need a lawyer if the Friend of the Court is involved?
The FOC does not represent either parent. A lawyer advocates for you, especially when income is disputed or a deviation is requested.
What if my ex is paid in cash?
Courts can impute income using work history and earning capacity. We gather evidence to support a fair calculation.
Ready to Discuss Your Family Law Matter?
You don’t have to navigate your family law matter alone. Contact Paul S. Kowal, P.C. at 586-221-5488 to discuss your situation with an experienced family law attorney and take the next step forward with confidence.