Detroit Child Support Lawyer

Last updated on May 15, 2026

It’s no secret: Few parents like to pay child support. Nonetheless, financial support for children is the responsibility of all parents.

Child support lawyer Lisa D. Stern is located in Bloomfield Hills and has extensive experience in guiding parents through the child support process. She represents parents who are obligated to pay child support as well as parents who are entitled to receive it.

How Is Child Support Determined?

In Michigan, child support is determined using a formula that considers the incomes of both parents, the number of children supported and the number of overnight visits with each parent. Even though the amount of child support is based on a formula, determining the income to be used in the formula can be complex, especially if the payer is self-employed or owns a business.

As a child support attorney, Lisa will fight vigorously to ensure that the judge uses a fair calculation of earnings and assets to determine the appropriate amount of child support. In her legal practice, she uses forensic accountants and other experts, when necessary, to determine income, particularly when a parent is hiding income or deliberately underemployed.

Child support payments can be modified after divorce if there is a change in your financial circumstances. Attorney Stern handles both modifications and enforcement of child support payments.

The Michigan child support formula is available online. While a formula for child support exists in Michigan, it’s not solely income-based. Support can also be determined by the amount of parenting time that a parent has with a child.

Can You Deviate From The Formula?

There are times when a court may order child support payments to be higher or lower than the amounts calculated by the child support formula. This can happen in various situations, such as the following:

• When a child has special needs
• When an unemployed parent is taking care of the child during the day, thereby expending funds without receiving credit for the overnight

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Child Support

Does Joint Custody Affect Child Support Payments In Michigan?

Many factors can potentially influence the amount of child support that a mother or father is obligated to pay, including parenting time. In Michigan, the formula for calculating child support analyzes the annual income of both parents and the time each parent has with the child to determine an accurate payment amount. In this situation, sharing custody equally will undoubtedly lower a parent’s child support payment, but it will not automatically erase the need for support.

How Do Income Changes Impact Child Support Payments For Both Parents?

When either parent’s income changes, they both can petition the court to raise or lower their existing child support payment. In Michigan, a support order needs to be altered due to a significant change in circumstances. Typically, a child support judge will grant a modification request if there is at least a 10% increase or decrease in a parent’s yearly income.

What Are The Legal Consequences Of Failing To Pay Child Support In Detroit?

Michigan parents who share custody of their child will make and receive support payments through the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MISDU). When a parent fails to make their child support payments on time, the receiving parent will need to notify the MISDU about their situation.

Once the MISDU has been made aware of a parent’s failure to abide by the child support order, it will schedule a hearing. At this hearing, the noncustodial parent will have the opportunity to share why they have been unable to make payments. In most instances, the judge will only penalize the paying parent if they believe it is the only way to enforce the child support agreement. Some common penalties include the following:

• Income withholding
• Garnishment
• License suspension
• Real estate liens

When a parent is still unwilling to pay child support after suffering from these consequences, criminal penalties may be possible. In Michigan, parents can face felony charges for ignoring their support orders, potentially spending up to four years in jail for their actions. Courts generally do not want to take this route, however, so they first utilize every other option to encourage payment from the noncustodial parent.

How Does The Court Handle Child Support When One Parent Lives In Detroit And The Other Lives In Another State Or Country?

One parent residing in a different state or country can complicate child support arrangements. However, judges will normally use the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) to enforce support orders when parents do not live in the same state or country. According to the UIFSA, the state in which the child regularly lives will be where the support order is created. When one parent moves to another state, the UIFSA informs the courts in the new state about the existing support agreement, giving them the ability to enforce and modify the order as needed. When the other parent lives in another country, custodial parents will need to rely on the government to enforce the agreement.

Contact Michigan Child Support Lawyer Lisa D. Stern

For an initial consultation with child support attorney Lisa Stern, call 248-973-7842 or complete the online contact form. You can discuss with her every aspect of child support with the utmost candor and confidentiality.

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