Metamora Child Support Lawyers Assist with Sensitive Family Matters

Dedicated Michigan family attorneys advise paying and recipient parents

Even when divorcing parents are committed to providing a healthy environment for their sons and daughters, conflicts over child support payments can erupt. At Kohl, Harris, Nolan & McCarthy, P.C. in Metamora, our knowledgeable Michigan family lawyers assist parents during the establishment of child support rates and after an order is entered. If a situation changes in a way that should trigger a need to modify child support terms, we’ll advise you of the steps you need to take. Our firm also handles enforcement actions when a parent is accused of nonpayment.

How an attorney can help resolve child support issues

To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should understand the factors that are used in the child support formula developed by Michigan’s Friend of the Court Bureau. Knowing key information such as parental income and the amount of time the child spends in each home over the course of a year will give you a good idea what the result will be. This “income shares” system places a higher percentage of financial responsibility on the parent who earns more and provides more support to the party who lives with the child for a majority of the time.

Whether you’re going through a divorce or you need to establish legal paternity for the father of your child, our experienced Michigan family attorneys can help with complications that might arise relating to:

• Imputed income — Appropriate child support orders depend on accurate information. If you believe that your former partner is hiding certain income or intentionally avoiding work in order to reduce their child support obligation, we can bring this to the court’s attention.
• Special expenses — Some young people have needs that aren’t considered within the standard formula. When extraordinary medical costs, expensive extracurricular activities or higher education funding is at issue, our attorneys press for a suitable resolution.
• Adjustments for health insurance and child care — Day care and health insurance premiums are significant expenses for parents. In the event that one party pays for these items, their share of the child support burden might be lessened accordingly.

You can also rely on us for effective advocacy in child support enforcement proceedings. Fathers and mothers who do not provide the amount required by the order in a timely manner might have their income withheld, lose their driver’s license or have their case referred for criminal prosecution. Whether you have not received your child support or are being accused of failing to honor your legal obligation, our firm can get to work immediately on your behalf. 

When is a modification to child support terms warranted?

As parental income and other circumstances change, fairness might require that child support terms be adjusted. The Friend of the Court allows parents to request a child support review every three years, but in some situations, an event occurs that justifies a quicker modification. Either parent can file a motion seeking a review of an existing child support order. You might do this if you or your co-parent has received a substantial raise, lost a job, suffered a disabling injury or experienced a change in household, such as the arrival of another child with a new partner. Courts can use the updated information to recalculate child support under the formula and make other needed modifications.

Contact an accomplished Michigan child support attorney

Kohl, Harris, Nolan & McCarthy, P.C. represents Michigan parents in all types of child support matters, including modification and enforcement actions. Please call 810-212-5005 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation at our Metamora office.