Michigan Divorce Attorney Jannelle Zawaideh

Child support is a vital part of any Michigan divorce case where children are a part of the marriage. At The Law Offices of Jannelle J. Zawaideh, we understand the value of children and how important it can be to care for them properly. However, we also understand that child support obligations should be fair and just for all involved, not an opportunity for one spouse to get extra spending money from the other spouse. With that in mind, it's vital that you retain the services of a good attorney whether you're asking for child support or being asked to pay it.

When you work with a Michigan Family Law attorney on your child support case, you'll gain a better and more thorough understanding of the law. That can help you focus on addressing the needs you have, and the needs of your child or children. Supporting a child is necessary, and one of the ways to feel better about the amount of support is to understand what it is supposed to cover and how it is calculated and used. The more you know about the law, the better decisions you'll be able to make regarding your children.

If you're asking for child support, know that you generally need to have physical custody of the child to receive that support. However, you don't have to have sole physical custody. Joint custody arrangements can still be subject to child support. You also need to make less than your spouse, because it is typically the person who makes the most who pays child support. If your incomes are nearly identical and so are the time periods you both spend with your child, the judge may determine that child support is not warranted at all. Each case is different.

If you're being asked to pay child support, it will be based on your income and the income of the other parent. Large discrepancies mean you'll be asked to pay more, while smaller discrepancies mean you'll pay less. That's to be expected, but how much time either parent spends with the child will also matter. Being aware of that fact and talking it over with your lawyer can help you understand the need for child support and why the amount you're being asked to pay is or is not realistic for the situation and the factors that surround your case.

Overall, though, child support is about the child and not about the parents. When there is a divorce that is not amicable, children can become bargaining chips. This is unfortunate, and something that can be avoided by a clear understanding of the value of child support. The more you know about the laws surrounding support in a divorce case, the more comfortable you will be with what you're asked to pay. That can help the divorce move forward with fewer difficulties, and we're here to help with that.