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 requesting the change must present grounds to do so. These are some of the most common grounds for modifying child support orders:
A Change in the Child’s Needs
You may need to petition the court for a modification if your child’s needs change. For example, imagine your child is diagnosed with a rare medical condition and needs treatment that costs thousands of dollars per month. In this case, the court would likely change the order to share the financial burden between the parents.
Custody Changes
Custody orders may be modified independently of support orders. However, if your child custody arrangement changes, your child support arrangement probably will, too.
For example, imagine your child lives with you full-time, and the other parent pays child support. If your child begins spending half of their time living with the other parent, that parent would likely owe less support.
A Major Change in Income
Child support agreements are intended to meet the needs of the child while being fair to both parents. If a parent’s income changes, they (or the other parent) may request a modification.
For instance, if the parent who pays support loses their job and takes another that comes with a significant pay cut, the court will likely be willing to reduce the required support amount.
Likewise, if the parent receiving support gets a major promotion, the court may determine that they can afford to pay more to support the child. They might reduce the amount that the non-custodial parent pays as a result.
The court will usually only change a support order if the income change is significant. In many cases, that means a change of 10% or more.
A Change in a Parent’s Medical Needs
Changes in your child’s medical needs can lead to a change in your support order. However, if you or the other parent experiences a new disability or major illness, the court may also consider modifying the amount of support paid.
For example, if you are badly injured in an accident and your earning capacity is permanently damaged, the court may change the support order so that you owe less per month.
Want to Modify a Support Order? We Can Help
The process of changing a child support order can be complex — and depending on your relationship with the child’s other parent, it can be emotionally draining as well. Our attorneys can’t completely erase the stress of the situation, but we can help streamline the process and increase your likelihood of success.
The Gucciardo Law Firm is dedicated to helping parents like you create the support arrangements their children need to thrive. Contact us to book your initial consultation.
