How is the amount of child support calculated?
The judge will use the Michigan Child Support Formula, also known as “the formula,” to figure out how much child support to order.1 The formula takes into account the following factors:
- both parents’ income;
- how many nights per year the child stays with each parent;
- how many children the parents support;
- health care costs;
- child care costs; and
- other factors.2
The law assumes that the formula sets the right amount of child support unless there are facts in a specific case that show otherwise. To understand when the judge may order a different amount, read Can a child support order ever be different from what the Michigan Child Support Formula says?
1 MI ST § 552.605(2)
2 See the 2021 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual on the Michigan Courts website.