How is child support calculated in Michigan?

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Michigan   child support   is governed by   MCL §§ 552.605, 552.605b  , and the detailed   2021 Michigan Child Support Formula Manual   (revised periodically by the State Court Administrative Office, SCAO).    1. The MCSF — Income Shares with Parenting Time Offset   Michigan combines   both parents' net incomes   and uses the formula's   General Care Equivalent (GCE)   table to determine the base support obligation, then   prorates   by income.    2. Net Income Calculation   Gross income (wages, self-employment, bonuses, dividends, royalties, gifts, fringe benefits, etc.) less: - Federal/state/local income tax (using actual filing status & exemptions) - FICA - Mandatory union dues, life/disability insurance premiums - Subsequent-children alimony obligation    3. Parenting Time Offset (MCSF § 3.03)   Unique to Michigan, the parenting-time formula applies as soon as the   payer has any overnights  . The formula uses an   exponent of 2 (squared) function   that progressively reduces support as the number of payer overnights approaches the recipient's. At equal overnights, support is the difference based on incomes only.    4. Add-Ons   -   Childcare   for employment, training, or job search (MCSF § 3.06) -   Health insurance   premium attributable to the child (MCSF § 3.05) -   Ordinary medical  : built into the base;   extraordinary medical   allocated separately    5. Duration (MCL § 552.605b)   Support continues until the child: - Reaches   age 18  , OR - Reaches   age 19½   if still   regularly attending high school   full-time, with reasonable expectation of graduation,   and lives with the support recipient  .    6. Modification (MCL § 552.517)   Friend of the Court reviews orders every   3 years   automatically, or upon request, and recommends modification when the recalculated amount differs by   10% or $50/month, whichever is greater  . A party can also seek modification on a   substantial change in circumstances  .    7. Imputation of Income (MCSF § 2.01(G))   Voluntary unemployment/underemployment allows imputed income based on prior earnings, education, work history, occupational qualifications, special skills, available employment opportunities, and local prevailing wages.    8. Deviation (MCL § 552.605(2))   The formula is presumptively correct; deviation requires written findings explaining why strict application would be unjust or inappropriate.  This is legal information, not legal advice.