What Happens to Child Support in Michigan if the Paying Parent Has Another Baby?
Raising kids is expensive, and it only gets more so every year. The cost of a new baby becomes even more obvious if you’re already paying child support. Whether you’re the parent paying child support or the parent receiving it, you might wonder what happens if the paying parent has another baby. The short answer […]
Which Parent Claims a Child for Tax Purposes After Divorce in Michigan?
Life after divorce comes with no shortage of challenges. Even routine stressors like income taxes become more complex than before. If you’re coming up on the first tax season after your divorce, you might be wondering which parent can claim your child for tax purposes. The answer depends on your circumstances. Here’s a closer look. […]
What Are the Grounds for Changing Child Support in Michigan?
When you and the court determine child custody arrangements, there’s always a chance that the support order may need to be modified. Children’s needs and parents’ incomes can change, and it’s generally in the best interests of the child to adjust the support arrangement accordingly. When modifying a child support order in Michigan, the parent […]
Supporting Your Child Through Anxiety or Anger After Divorce
A divorce affects everyone in your family, including your children. If your child is struggling to come to terms with the divorce and experiences anxiety or even anger as a result, it’s essential to address the problem as quickly as possible. Take a closer look at how you can support your child through this difficult […]
What Is Supervised Visitation?
When parents divorce or separate in Michigan, the court will issue orders regarding custody and visitation. These orders specify the parents with whom the child will primarily reside, the frequency of the other parent’s visitation, and the responsibilities of each parent. Many Michigan judges believe that a child’s best interests are served when they have […]
Factors That Can Change How Much You Owe in Child Support Payments in Michigan
As a parent, one of your primary responsibilities is to provide financial support for your children. This duty does not disappear once you divorce or separate from the other parent. Instead, one parent will be ordered to make child support payments. This obligation generally continues until the child turns 18. The amount of child support […]
How Long Do Child Support Payments Last in Michigan?
Typically, child support payments continue until a child turns 18. This is the most common scenario in Michigan and elsewhere. However, the length of time you’ll be required to either pay or receive child support is determined by specific guidelines. Each case is unique, and sometimes, there are exceptions to the rule. How Does Child […]
When Can Child Support Payments Be Modified?
As your child gets older, their needs will change, too. Likewise, your financial situation — and your ex’s — will also change over time. For this reason, the amount of child support you pay or receive is subject to modifications. Modifying child support does not happen arbitrarily. Just as the initial child support order is […]
What Happens When You Miss Child Support Payments in Michigan?
People often underestimate how seriously Michigan takes missed child support payments. The Friend of the Court (FOC) doesn’t just casually monitor payments but tracks every dollar through the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU). Once you’re a month behind, the consequences begin. Effects of Missing Child Support Payments in Michigan Here are a few things you […]
What Kinds of Elements Should Be Addressed in Visitation Agreements?
When creating visitation agreements, most parents are very diligent in including major decisions, like who gets the kids on weekends, holidays, and summer breaks. However, neglecting small details can lead to the biggest conflicts. Here are ten things to address in your visitation agreement. Routine Schedules and Exceptions You already know you should include regular […]
How a Michigan Court Determines Child Support Adjustments After a Job Loss
When a change of circumstances occurs for a parent who’s obligated to pay monthly child support in Michigan, the court provides a mechanism to adjust the payment amount. In many cases, this change is a loss of employment. If you lost your job, it’s a good idea to understand how the court may adjust the […]
What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Child Support Payments in Michigan
Life happens, and you might fall behind on child support payments. Alternatively, you might be keeping up with current payments but still owe past-due support. It\’s a stressful situation in either case, but it’s one you can\’t ignore. In Michigan, past due child support is referred to as \”arrears.\” You might owe this debt to […]