Child Support Enforcement Attorney In Bloomfield Hills
Last updated on April 8, 2026
When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, it creates financial hardship for the custodial parent and children who depend on that income. A child support enforcement lawyer in Bloomfield Hills can help custodial parents collect arrearages and protect noncustodial parents from overly aggressive enforcement actions.
Attorney Lisa D. Stern has over 30 years of experience handling child support enforcement and modification cases. She represents parents throughout metro Detroit seeking to collect unpaid support or defend against enforcement when circumstances have changed.
Friend Of The Court Enforcement Remedies
The Friend of the Court (FOC) has multiple tools to enforce child support orders. Wage garnishment through income withholding automatically deducts support from the paying parent’s paycheck. Tax intercepts allow the state to seize federal and state tax refunds to satisfy support arrearages.
License suspension affects both driver’s licenses and professional licenses when parents fall significantly behind on payments. The FOC can suspend licenses until the parent pays arrears or establishes a payment plan.
The Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES) tracks all support payments and arrearages statewide, making it difficult for parents to avoid enforcement by moving between Michigan counties.
Show Cause Hearings And Contempt
When enforcement measures fail to produce payment, the FOC or custodial parent can file a motion for a show cause hearing. The nonpaying parent must appear in court and explain why they should not be held in contempt of court for violating the support order.
Contempt findings can result in jail time until the parent pays a purge amount or demonstrates an inability to pay. Courts distinguish between parents who cannot pay due to genuine hardship and those who refuse to pay despite having resources. A child support enforcement attorney in Bloomfield Hills can present evidence of changed circumstances that affect the ability to pay.
Common Questions About Support Enforcement
Parents dealing with unpaid child support or facing enforcement actions often have questions about their rights and options. These are concerns attorney Stern addresses with clients in Oakland County.
Can a parent go to jail for not paying child support in Michigan?
Yes. Courts can hold parents in contempt and order jail time for willful nonpayment. However, parents cannot be jailed simply for being unable to pay due to unemployment or reduced income. Courts conduct show cause hearings where the parent must explain their nonpayment. If the court determines the parent has resources but refuses to pay, incarceration is possible.
How do I collect unpaid child support through the FOC?
Contact the FOC office in the county where your support order was issued and request enforcement. For significant support arrearages, you may need to file a motion for a show cause hearing. A child support enforcement attorney in Bloomfield Hills can evaluate whether additional legal action is necessary to collect what you are owed.
Get Help With Support Enforcement
Whether you need to collect unpaid child support or defend against enforcement actions, Lisa D. Stern provides experienced guidance through Michigan’s support enforcement system. Attorney Lisa D. Stern‘s three decades of family law experience includes representing both custodial and noncustodial parents in enforcement matters.
Contact Lisa D. Stern at 248-973-7842 or online to discuss your child support situation. Virtual consultations are available.
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