Child Support

Child Support in Michigan is governed by the Michigan Child Support Formula published by the State Court Administrators Office and available at http://courts.michigan.gov/scao/services/focb/mcsf.htm. 

The Michigan Child Support Formula is followed by every court in Michigan and can only deviate from the formula in cases where application of the formula would be “unjust or inappropriate” including cases of high income earners where the needs of the children justify additional monthly support payments based on the ability, resources, and income of the wage earner.  Child support applies in cases of divorce, separate maintenance (legal separation), annulment and paternity.  Child support has even been ordered where the payor is not the biological father of the children.  Child support does not apply however to guardianships or stepchildren.  Under Michigan law both parents have an equal duty to support the children.   Child support includes not only the base support amounts contained in the formula but also payment of health care expenses and child care expenses.