If you’ve recently divorced in the state of Michigan, you likely now understand the difference between physical and legacy custody, “best interest” factors used in determining custodial arrangements, and the expectations relating to child support. As experts in family law, we frequently work with families who have divorced while wishing to keep both parents in their children’s lives—and in many cases, this is the best possible outcome for minors.

One of the most important parts of ensuring that the non-custodial parent is staying involved in the child’s life is by paying child support on time and with consistency. When one thinks of the stereotypes, they tend to imagine a father begrudgingly sending a certain amount of child support every month until the day the child turns 18. However, it is a misconception that child support obligations remain the same over time.

Modifications Due to Change of Income

Whether your child was an infant when you divorced or they were only a year away from their eighteenth birthday, the obligation for your ex-spouse to pay child support remains. But in some extenuating circumstances, child support modification can take place over the course of the child’s adolescence.

The most common reason a parent would wish to do this is a substantial change in income, which could enable them to provide more child support than they were previously capable of. Rather than avoiding their obligations to their biological child, a non-custodial parent should do the responsible thing and pay up. But they aren’t always going to.

Both Parents Have a Responsibility

Do you feel as though you are being denied your fair share of child support? Has something changed in your ex-spouse’s financial situation that isn’t being reflected in their monthly payments? The family law courts in the Grand Rapids area are, fortunately, on your side.

If your spouse recently got promoted or switched jobs, you are within your right to petition the courts to re-evaluate their child support order. In fact, child support is continuously evaluated, and with a Friend of the Courts reviewing orders every 36 months to ensure that no one is hiding a major change in their finances.

There are a variety of reasons why someone may wish to petition for a child support modification, but the most common is related to income. We’ve worked with many families in your exact situation, who are attempting to co-parent after a divorce and remain as civil as possible for the sake of the children you have together. Our team of specialized family law attorneys are here to help guide you through the family court system.