
How Do I Request Child Support Modification?
by Law Offices of Michael A. Robbins | Nov 19, 2021 | Uncategorized |
There can be no doubt that raising a child is expensive, which is why lawmakers have established a Michigan Child Support Formula as a guideline for calculating the obligation for both parents. Courts are required to apply this formula when setting child support, and it takes into account such factors as parental income, other children a parent may be supporting, and the schedule for parenting time. The statute anticipates that inflation and other economic factors will impact child support, so the formula may be subject to change periodically.
However, child support laws also include provisions on how changes in the lives of individual parents. Your circumstances may be very different now from when the child support order was entered, so both payor and recipient could have reasons to request alteration. It is important to retain a Michigan post-judgment modifications attorney who can advise you on the relevant concepts and assist with the legal requirements. Plus, some background may help you understand the basics on how to request changes to child support.
Common Reasons for Changing Child Support Obligations
Few things in life will stay the same indefinitely, so you can see how parties on both sides of the child support issue may seek to alter the court’s order.
The paying parent might request that the support obligation be decreased after becoming unemployed or suffering some other loss of income. The need to support other children may also be reasons to seek modification.
As the recipient, you could also experience employment or life changes that impact your ability to provide for the child. Plus, it may be necessary to alter support if the needs of the child have changed. Examples include new realities for education and extracurricular activities, particularly when the child grows older.
Legal Process for Seeking Child Support Modification
A parent can ask the court to review child support obligations every three years, at which point the terms may be changed because of economic factors. However, you must go through the proper legal channels if you want to make changes outside this time period. The process involves filing a petition, in which you state the facts and allegations to support the child support modification. Under Michigan law, the standard is whether there has been a significant change in circumstances that would justify altering support. If the judge determines that the modification is appropriate, the new child support obligation will be calculated according to the statutory formula.
Note that you cannot unilaterally modify child support, so it is critical to comply with the court’s order unless and until it is modified. You could face harsh penalties for failure to pay.
A Michigan Child Support Lawyer Can Advise You on Modifications
While an overview about the laws and legal process is helpful, this information should also convince you about the importance of retaining skilled representation. For additional details, please contact the Law Offices of Michael A. Robbins to set up a consultation. Once we assess your circumstances, we can advise you on strategies.
Recent Posts
Archives
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
Categories
RSS Feed
Let us help you

Contact The Firm
3910 Telegraph Road
Suite 200
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: 248-646-7980
Fax: 248-646-7989