Michigan Child Support Calculator

Michigan uses the Income Shares Model under MCL § 552.605, combining both parents' net incomes and applying the Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF) tables to determine each parent's proportional share. The formula factors in parenting time overnights, healthcare costs, and childcare expenses. Parents earning below the Low Income Threshold of $1,255 per month receive adjusted calculations based on federal poverty guidelines.

Michigan considers all sources of income including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, capital gains, and the market value of non-cash perks that reduce personal expenses. Net income is calculated after deducting actual income taxes. When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, courts may impute income based on their education, work history, skills, and local job availability under MCL § 552.605.

Michigan's formula includes a Parental Time Offset that adjusts support based on overnight parenting time. The more overnights a parent has, the greater the offset applied to their base support obligation, reflecting direct spending on the child during that time. Michigan evaluates custody using 12 Best Interest Factors under MCL § 722.23, and the Friend of the Court office investigates and makes custody recommendations to the court.

Either parent may request a child support review every 36 months under MCL § 552.517, or sooner upon showing a substantial change in circumstances such as job loss, disability, or significant changes in parenting time. The modification must produce at least a 10% change from the current support order to qualify. The Friend of the Court office conducts reviews and recommends adjustments to the court.

Michigan child support covers base support (food, housing, clothing), childcare costs for children under age 13, and healthcare expenses. Under the 2025 MCSF, ordinary medical expenses are set at $200 per child annually. The formula also apportions uninsured medical expenses between parents based on their income shares. Extraordinary expenses like special educational needs may be addressed through court-ordered deviations from the formula.

Michigan's Low Income Threshold of $1,255 per month provides protection for low-income parents — only income above this threshold is included in calculations. There is no statutory maximum, but in extremely high-income cases, courts have discretion to use base support from General Care Tables and fashion an outcome that meets each child's needs rather than strictly applying the formula percentages.

Michigan child support generally ends when the child turns 18 years old. However, under MCL § 552.605b, support may extend up to age 19 years and 6 months if the child is attending high school full-time with a reasonable expectation of graduating. The court order must specify a termination date on the last day of a particular month. Postmajority support is discretionary, not automatic.

Michigan enforces child support through the Friend of the Court office using wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, and recreational), credit bureau reporting, and contempt of court proceedings that can result in jail time. Providing false financial information on an arrearage motion is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both under MCL § 552.605e.