Typically, the issue of paternity comes up in cases where an unmarried mother has given birth and is seeking child support from the father of the child, but is unsure of who may be the father or the man the mother claims to be the father disputes the claim. In such cases, a court will order a DNA test to determine paternity. Once paternity determinations have been made through DNA analysis, depending on the custody arrangement, the non-custodial parent will typically be required to pay child support.
The staff at the Smith Law Offices, P.C. is experienced with family law issues such as child support, and work closely with their clients to ensure that their clients get as good of an outcome as is possible under the circumstances. In the State of Michigan, any child support obligation is estimated by utilizing the state child support formula. The child support formula is a guideline which the family court uses to come to a figure, but in some case, to avoid an unjust result, the court may deviate from the formula. However, any deviation is on a case-by-case basis.
To determine a parent’s child support obligation, the guideline takes into account the income of both of the child’s parents, estimated health and day care costs, and other expenses necessary for the care and upbringing of the child. Sources of income that are taken into account for child support determinations include any seasonal income, income derived from commission and any income one gets from being self-employed.
Once a child support order is issued, the non-custodial parent is required to pay that amount to the custodial parent on a monthly basis. In some cases, one or both parents may experience a substantial change in circumstance, such as a job loss, which may require filing a petition for modification of child support. Lawyers at Smith Law Offices P.C. can review one’s specific case, and complete the necessary paperwork.
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