Quick answer: A Michigan support order does not accrue interest. If the court finds the failure to pay was willful it may order a semiannual surcharge on past-due support. Each payment is a judgment on its due date, enforcement starts at one month of arrears and licenses can be suspended when arrears exceed 2 months and withholding has failed.
This Michigan child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid installments, lets you test the willful-failure surcharge under MCL 552.603a and flags the enforcement, credit reporting, license and passport thresholds. The surcharge defaults to zero.
Michigan child support arrears and interest at a glance
| Rule | What Michigan says |
|---|---|
| Interest | A support order shall not accrue interest (MCL 552.603(11)) |
| Surcharge | If the court finds the failure to pay willful, it may order a semiannual surcharge of 1% plus the average 5-year Treasury note rate; no compounding (552.603a) |
| Judgment | Each payment is a judgment on and after its due date (552.603(2)) |
| Enforcement | The friend of the court must start enforcement when arrears equal the monthly support (552.511) |
| Credit reporting | Arrears of 2 or more months are reported after notice and 21 days to pay or seek review (552.512) |
| Licenses | Occupational, recreational and sporting licenses when arrears exceed 2 months and withholding has failed; driver license only after an ability-to-pay finding of willful nonpayment (552.628) |
How do child support arrears work in Michigan?
- Interest and the surcharge. See why Michigan child support does not accrue interest.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Michigan.
- Time limits and forgiveness. See whether Michigan child support arrears expire or can be forgiven.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support and the number of installments unpaid, and optionally an annual surcharge rate to test. The calculator adds non-compounding semiannual surcharges on the balance less one month of support only if you enter a rate, and flags the one-month enforcement trigger, the 2-month reporting trigger, the license trigger and the $2,500 passport line. It assumes no payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Michigan child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Michigan child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Michigan charge interest on child support arrears?
No. A support order shall not accrue interest. A court may order a surcharge on past-due support only after finding the failure to pay was willful.
How is the Michigan child support surcharge calculated?
Twice a year, at an annual rate of 1% plus the average 5-year Treasury note auction rate for the prior 6 months, on past-due support less one month of support, without compounding.
When does Michigan start enforcing unpaid child support?
When the arrearage equals or exceeds the monthly amount of support under the order.
Can a Michigan driver license be suspended for unpaid child support?
Yes, but only if arrears exceed 2 months, withholding has failed, the court finds willful nonpayment after an ability-to-pay assessment and no other sanction would work.
How long do I have to respond to a Michigan license suspension notice?
Twenty-one days from the mailing date, to pay in full or request a hearing.
Official sources
- MCL 552.603: judgment; no interest
- MCL 552.603a: surcharge for willful failure
- MCL 552.511: enforcement triggers
- MCL 552.512: credit reporting
- MCL 552.628: license suspension
- MCL 552.629: suspension hearing
- MCL 552.624: tax refund offset
- MCL 552.631: contempt
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports