As life progresses, our situations change–whether that be financially, physically, or emotionally. This is why if you are a divorced parent who is either paying or receiving child support, you may have recently experienced a change that requires an adjustment to those terms. If you find yourself in this situation, please read on to learn more about the legal process going forward:
What factors do Michigan courts consider when deciding child support terms?
Michigan courts analyze several different aspects of you and your spouse’s lives to determine how your child support agreement will be arranged. The courts will consider the following:
- Each parent’s gross yearly income
- Each parent’s health and whether they have cumbersome, regular medical bills
- Your child’s age
- Whether your child has special needs
- The child custody terms in place
- The number of children you have
- Whether your child will pursue a higher education
What are some valid grounds for requesting a change in child support?
There are many reasons someone would request updated terms of child support. Some of the scenarios that have warranted a child support modification in the past are as follows:
- One parent developing a serious medical condition or suffering a serious injury
- A change in the federal income law
- One of the parents either lost their job, saw an increase in income, or a decrease in income
- One of the parents remarried, and no longer needs the support of a former spouse
- One of the parents has recently lost their home
How do I modify the terms of my child support in Michigan?
In the state of Michigan, you can write to the nearest friend of the court, or FOC office and request a review of the order, and if you provide sufficient evidence, the FOC will then ask the court to modify the support order. However, this process can very often take 90 days or longer to complete.
If you find yourself in a more pressing situation and you need the support change immediately, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney who can file a motion to modify child support for you. Though you will pay a lawyer fee initially, the process can be completed in a fraction of the time that going through FOC would, so if you need a change in child support quickly, hiring a skilled attorney is your best option going forward.
Contact our compassionate Michigan firm
Sometimes, divorce and family matters are difficult to navigate. Fortunately, they do not have to be with the assistance of a compassionate, knowledgeable attorney who is willing to guide you every step of the way. If you need a seasoned firm to help you with any divorce or family-related matter, please do not hesitate to contact Collis & Griffor today to schedule a consultation. We are here to help.
