Child custody and support in Michigan
For divorcing parents in Michigan: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator and the child support agency.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026
In short
Michigan law uses the term “custody (legal and physical) and parenting time” for custody. Parenting class: Some counties require a parenting class in divorces with minor children; check your circuit court or Friend of the Court. Michigan publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.
- Custody term
- Custody (legal and physical) and parenting time
- Parenting class
- Depends on the court
- Child support calculator
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency
- Michigan Office of Child Support / Friend of the Court (MiChildSupport)
Custody terms in Michigan
Custody (legal and physical) and parenting time
Parenting class in Michigan
Some counties require a parenting class in divorces with minor children; check your circuit court or Friend of the Court.
Child support in Michigan
Child support follows Michigan's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.
Good to know
Michigan's waiting period jumps from 60 days to 6 months when you have minor children, but a judge can shorten it for hardship (MCL 552.9f).
Children in a Michigan divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use Michigan's term for custody: custody (legal and physical) and parenting time.
Parenting class
Take the parenting class described above if Michigan requires it in your case.
Child support
Estimate it first: the official calculator
The child support agency
For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.
Questions about custody and child support in Michigan
What is child custody called in Michigan?
Michigan uses the term “custody (legal and physical) and parenting time”.
Do parents have to take a class in a Michigan divorce?
Some counties require a parenting class in divorces with minor children; check your circuit court or Friend of the Court.
Is there an official child support calculator for Michigan?
Yes. Michigan's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator
Which agency handles child support in Michigan?
Michigan Office of Child Support / Friend of the Court (MiChildSupport).
More about divorce in Michigan
- All Michigan divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Michigan
- Michigan divorce forms and filing fees
- Serving divorce papers in Michigan
- Divorce timeline estimator for Michigan
- Divorce checklist for Michigan
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do