Since Michigan’s child support formula updated in January 2025, questions about modifying existing orders have surged. Parents on both sides are wondering the same thing: does this change mean my support order should be different?

The answer depends on your specific circumstances. Formula updates alone don’t automatically trigger modifications, but they can provide grounds for review—especially when combined with other changes in your life. Whether you’re paying more than the new formula suggests or receiving less than you should, understanding Michigan’s modification process helps you take appropriate action. This guide explains when modification makes sense, what legal standards apply, and how to navigate the process effectively.

Michigan’s Legal Standard for Modifying Child Support

Michigan law doesn’t allow child support modifications simply because one parent wants a change. Under MCL 552.517, courts require specific grounds before altering an existing order.

The primary legal standard requires showing either a change in circumstances or a showing that the current order is unjust or improper. In practice, Michigan courts and the Friend of the Court focus on whether the recalculated support would differ significantly from the current order.

The 10% serves as the practical trigger. If recalculating support under current circumstances and the current formula would change the support amount by at least 10%, modification may be warranted.

This threshold exists to prevent constant relitigation over minor fluctuations. Child support orders need stability—children benefit when parents aren’t constantly battling over small adjustments. But when circumstances genuinely shift, the system provides pathways to recalibrate.

Time considerations also matter. While there’s no strict waiting period before requesting modification, courts may view very recent orders skeptically unless circumstances have changed dramatically since entry. Orders that are several years old are more likely candidates for review, as incomes and circumstances naturally evolve.

How the 2025 Formula Changes Affect Modification Requests

The 2025 updates to Michigan’s Child Support Formula created legitimate grounds for many families to request reviews. Two changes particularly impact modification calculations.

• The reduced medical expense threshold dropped from $454 to $200 per child annually. If your child has regular medical expenses and your current order was calculated under the old formula, this change alone could shift calculations meaningfully—especially for families with multiple children or ongoing healthcare needs.

• Extended childcare inclusion to age 13 affects families with children between 12 and 13 in after-school care, summer programs, or other work-related childcare. If your current order was calculated when this childcare wasn’t included, recalculation could show significant differences.

• Do formula changes alone justify modification? Not automatically, but potentially yes. If applying the new formula to your current circumstances produces a difference meeting the 10%, you may have grounds for modification. The formula change becomes part of your “changed circumstances” argument.

Courts recognize that formula updates reflect policy decisions about fair allocation of child-rearing costs. When the state determines costs should be shared differently, orders based on outdated formulas may no longer serve their intended purpose.

Common Reasons for Child Support Modification in Michigan

Beyond formula changes, several life circumstances commonly support modification requests.

Job Loss or Income Reduction

Losing a job or experiencing significant income reduction is one of the most common modification triggers. If you’ve been laid off, had hours cut substantially, or experienced genuine income decline, your support obligation may need adjustment.

Important caveats: Courts distinguish between involuntary income reduction and voluntary choices. Quitting a job to avoid support obligations, taking a lower-paying position without good reason, or becoming voluntarily underemployed won’t reduce your obligation—courts will impute income based on your earning capacity.

If you’ve lost income through no fault of your own, document everything. Termination letters, unemployment filings, and job search records all support legitimate modification requests.

Income Increase

Income works both ways. If the paying parent has received significant raises, bonuses, or new income sources since the last order, the receiving parent may have grounds to seek increased support. Similarly, if the receiving parent’s income has risen substantially, the paying parent might seek reduction.

Parenting Time Changes

Parenting time directly affects Michigan child support calculations. If your actual parenting time has shifted significantly since your order was entered—whether through formal modification or practical reality—support should be recalculated.

More overnights with the paying parent generally reduces support; fewer overnights increases it. If you’ve been exercising substantially more or less parenting time than your order reflects, this creates modification grounds.

Changes in Children’s Needs

Children’s needs evolve. A child developing special healthcare requirements, starting expensive extracurricular activities essential to their development, or needing educational support can justify modification. Similarly, needs that existed when the order was entered may have resolved.

Healthcare Coverage Changes

If responsibility for providing the children’s health insurance has shifted, or if insurance costs have changed dramatically, recalculation may be appropriate. The parent providing coverage receives credit in the formula, so changes here affect the bottom line.

Additional Children

New children in either household can affect calculations, though Michigan prioritizes existing support obligations. A paying parent who has additional children with a new partner may seek modification, though courts balance this against the existing children’s needs.

Step-by-Step: How to Request a Child Support Review or Modification

Michigan provides two primary pathways for modifying child support: Friend of the Court review and formal court motion.

Option 1: Friend of the Court Review

The FOC review process is often simpler and less expensive than formal court proceedings.

• Step 1: Contact your county’s Friend of the Court office. Request a child support review. Most offices accept requests by phone, mail, or online portal.

• Step 2: Complete required paperwork. You’ll need to provide current income information, often including recent pay stubs, tax returns, and documentation of other income sources.

• Step 3: The FOC gathers information from both parents. The other parent will be contacted to provide their current income information as well.

• Step 4: The FOC recalculates support. Using current incomes, parenting time, and the updated formula, the FOC determines what support would be under present circumstances.

• Step 5: Review the recommendation. If the recalculation shows a significant difference (meeting the 10% or greater threshold), the FOC may recommend modification.

• Step 6: Object or accept. Either parent can object to the FOC recommendation, which would move the matter to a court hearing. If neither objects within the specified timeframe, the recommendation becomes an order.

Option 2: Filing a Motion with the Court

For contested modifications or complex situations, filing a formal motion may be necessary.

• Step 1: Prepare and file a Motion to Modify Child Support with the court that issued your original order. Include supporting documentation demonstrating changed circumstances.

• Step 2: Serve the other parent with the motion according to court rules.

• Step 3: Attend the hearing. Both parents present evidence and arguments. The FOC may provide a recommendation the court considers.

• Step 4: Receive the court’s decision. The judge will either grant the modification, deny it, or order a different amount than requested.

When to choose court over FOC review: Complex income situations (self-employment, variable income, disputed earnings), cases involving potential contempt issues, situations where the other parent is uncooperative, and cases requiring deviation from formula guidelines often benefit from formal court proceedings with attorney representation.

Evidence to Gather for Your Modification Request

Strong documentation supports successful modification requests. Gather these materials before initiating the process.

• Income documentation including recent pay stubs (at least 3 months), last two years’ tax returns with all schedules, documentation of bonuses, commissions, or variable pay, proof of other income (investments, rental income, side businesses), and unemployment records if applicable.

• Parenting time records such as calendar or log showing actual overnights exercised, communication records about schedule changes, and school or activity records showing involvement.

• Expense documentation including childcare receipts and provider information, medical expense receipts exceeding $200 per child, health insurance premium statements, and documentation of children’s special needs or extraordinary expenses.

• Change-of-circumstance evidence like termination letters or layoff notices, medical records if health affects earning capacity, documentation of new job or changed position, and records of the other parent’s changed circumstances if relevant.

Organized, complete documentation streamlines the process and strengthens your position. Missing information delays resolution and can weaken your case.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Parents seeking modification often make mistakes that undermine their cases or create legal problems.

Making Informal Agreements

Agreeing verbally or via text to different support amounts without court approval is risky. Informal agreements aren’t enforceable. If you’ve been paying or accepting less than the order requires based on an informal agreement, and the other parent later demands compliance with the original order, you may owe arrears.

Always formalize support changes through proper legal channels. Even if you and your co-parent agree on modifications, get the agreement entered as a court order.

Stopping or Reducing Payments Without Modification

Don’t unilaterally reduce payments because you believe you’re entitled to modification. Until a court modifies your order, the existing obligation stands. Unpaid support accrues as arrears regardless of whether you “should have” owed less.

Continue paying the ordered amount while pursuing modification. If modification is granted, it typically applies from the filing date forward—not retroactively.

Under-the-Table Payments

Paying cash, buying items directly, or providing support “off the books” creates problems. These payments may not count as support, leaving you vulnerable to enforcement action for the full ordered amount. Always pay through the Michigan State Disbursement Unit or another documented method.

Hiding Income

Concealing income to reduce support obligations is both illegal and usually unsuccessful. FOC investigators have tools to discover hidden income, and courts respond harshly to parents who attempt deception. Penalties can include being held in contempt, imputation of income at higher levels, and payment of the other parent’s attorney fees.

Waiting Too Long

Modification applies from filing date forward. If circumstances changed months ago and you delay seeking modification, you can’t recover those months. Act promptly when grounds for modification exist.

Frequently Asked Questions About Modifying Child Support in Michigan

How long does a child support modification take in Michigan?

FOC reviews typically take 30 to 90 days depending on how quickly both parents provide required information. Formal court motions vary more widely—uncontested modifications may resolve in 60 to 90 days, while contested cases requiring hearings can take several months. Your county’s court backlog significantly affects timing.

Can I modify child support if I agreed to the amount in my divorce?

Yes. Agreed-upon support amounts are still subject to modification when circumstances change. Courts recognize that what seemed fair at divorce may not remain fair as incomes and needs evolve. The same modification standards apply regardless of whether support was negotiated or ordered after trial.

Will my child support automatically change when my child turns 18?

Not automatically. Michigan child support continues until age 18 or high school graduation (up to age 19½), whichever occurs later. When support should terminate, you may need to file paperwork with the court or FOC to officially end the obligation. Don’t assume payments automatically stop—arrears can continue accruing if the order isn’t properly terminated.

Can child support be modified if my ex remarries?

A parent’s remarriage alone typically doesn’t affect child support. The new spouse’s income generally isn’t considered in calculating the biological parents’ obligations. However, if remarriage significantly changes living expenses or financial circumstances, it might be one factor among others supporting modification.

What if I can’t afford an attorney for child support modification?

Many straightforward modifications can be handled through the FOC review process without an attorney. For more complex cases, some attorneys offer limited-scope representation, handling specific portions of your case while you handle others. Michigan also has legal aid organizations serving low-income residents. For contested modifications involving significant amounts, attorney representation often pays for itself through better outcomes.

Take the Next Step: Get Your Support Order Reviewed

If circumstances have changed since your child support order was entered—or if the 2025 formula updates affect your calculation—you may be entitled to modification. The longer you wait, the more time passes under an order that may not reflect fair contributions.

At Boroja, Bernier & Associates, we help Michigan parents navigate child support modifications efficiently. Our family law attorneys can evaluate whether your situation warrants modification and guide you through the process—whether through FOC review or formal court proceedings. With offices in Shelby Township, Troy, Ann Arbor, and Lansing, we serve families throughout Macomb County, Oakland County, Wayne County, and Southeast Michigan.

To schedule a consultation with the Michigan family law attorneys at Boroja, Bernier & Associates, call our law offices at (586) 991-7611. We’ll help you understand whether modification makes sense and take the right steps to protect your family’s financial interests.