What Courts Consider
Often, one spouse earns significantly more income during a marriage. The other spouse may rely on that income, and the couple may build their financial plans around it. When one or both spouses decide to end the marriage, that financial structure changes. As a result, questions about how income will be redistributed often arise.
A high-income earner should consider two main issues during divorce. The first involves child support when the couple has minor children. If the other parent is unemployed or earns much less income, the higher-earning parent may be responsible for paying child support.
Michigan courts evaluate several factors when determining child support, including:
How many overnights each parent has with each child
The income of the higher-earning parent
The income of the other parent, or whether income should be imputed (assumed)
Whether the other parent can work based on education and job experience
Whether the children are homeschooled
Whether the children attend a tuition-based school or program
The couple’s past financial practices and contributions during the marriage
Which parent provides health insurance for the children
Whether the higher-earning parent receives consistent income or variable income, such as commissions or bonuses
Whether the court has valid reasons to deviate from the standard child support guidelines
At Tabono Law, your attorney gathers this information and other important details that affect child support calculations. Our attorneys understand the financial concerns that arise during divorce. We work with both parents to evaluate income, budgets, and family needs. We also provide clear guidance for parents who have served as the primary financial providers for their children.