By David R. Dawson | Published March 15, 2026 | Posted in Family Law | Tagged Tags: child support, impute income |
What Happens if a Child Support Payer Is Underemployed?
Child support obligations in Michigan are grounded not just in what a parent currently earns, but in what they are reasonably able to earn. The law recognizes that children are entitled to ongoing support, regardless of the paying parent’s present employment status. There are court remedies available when a parent who owes child support is Read More
Read MoreLimitations on Relocating With Your Child After Divorce
If you’re a parent considering a move after divorce, you should know that Michigan law imposes strict rules. When parents share joint legal custody, consent or court permission is required if one parent wishes to move a child more than 100 miles within Michigan, to another state or in a way that would substantially interfere Read More
Read MoreHow to Make Your Prenuptial Agreement Virtually Bullet-Proof
Michigan courts recognize the right of individuals to enter into premarital contracts that define the distribution of assets and spousal support in the event of divorce. A prenuptial agreement (“prenup”) is enforceable if it is transparent, voluntary, fair and legally sound. However, courts retain the discretion to intervene if an agreement falls short of the Read More
Read MoreKey 2025 Updates to the Michigan Child Support Formula
The Michigan Child Support Formula is a device that determines the amount of financial support that non-custodial parents must pay following divorce or separation. This formula is primarily based on each parents’ earnings. It further considers expenses such as childcare, health insurance and uninsured medical costs, as well as the amount of time children spend Read More
Read MoreHow Surrogacy Legalization in Michigan Can Affect Families
Until 2005, Michigan stood alone as the only U.S. state with both civil and criminal bans on reproductive surrogacy. Any surrogacy agreement was declared void and unenforceable. Moreover, those who entered into, facilitated or even attempted compensated surrogacy could face criminal penalties. The result was that many would-be parents were required to legally adopt their Read More
Read MoreHow Courts Deal with Parents’ Disputes Over Children’s Education
When divorced parents make decisions about their children’s education, it is not uncommon for significant disagreements to arise. There are numerous educational avenues available, including public schools, private academies, religious institutions, charter programs and homeschooling. Each path may involve distinct teaching philosophies, religious considerations and extracurricular activities, as well as different financial burdens. These issues Read More
Read MoreCosts Not Covered by Child Support, and How to Deal With Them
Child support payments are designed to cover the basic necessities for children, such as food, housing, and clothing. However, there are many other costs associated with raising a child, potentially creating financial challenges. Parents going through divorce need to understand these costs and how to provide for managing them. The following are significant categories of Read More
Read MoreHow Courts Consider Children’s Preferences in Custody Decisions
When parents divorce in Michigan, family courts are tasked with determining child custody and parenting time arrangements that prioritize the best interests of the child. In some cases, they may consider the child’s own preference about which parent they wish to live with. However, courts do not simply defer to a child’s wishes; rather, the Read More
Read MoreLegal Remedies for Victims of Domestic Violence
In Michigan, the family court plays a vital role in safeguarding domestic violence victims from harm. A judge can take measures to address the immediate threats of domestic violence and to promote longer-term safety and stability for victims and their families. However, this requires a victim taking proactive steps, with the aid of a qualified Read More
Read MoreHow Can Divorced Parents Deal With College Costs?
In Michigan, court-ordered child support order generally covers the needs of a child until they reach the age of 18, or 19.5 if the child is still attending high school full-time. It generally does not extend to post-secondary education expenses, such as college tuition and related costs. Despite this, divorcing parents have options to share Read More
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