How Michigan Collects Unpaid Child Support: License Suspension, Credit Reporting and Passport Denial
If you don’t pay child support in Michigan, the friend of the court must start enforcement at one month of arrears, report arrears of 2 months or more to credit bureaus after a 21-day notice, and can seek license suspension when arrears exceed 2 months and withholding has failed.
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Michigan?
The friend of the court must start one or more enforcement measures when the arrearage equals the monthly amount of support, unless withholding is working or the payer is paying as ordered (MCL 552.511(1)(a)). The tools include income withholding, tax refund offset, credit reporting, license suspension and contempt.
Can Michigan report unpaid child support to credit bureaus?
Yes. The IV-D agency must report to a consumer reporting agency the arrearage of each payer with arrears of 2 or more months, after a notice giving the amount, the right to a review and a 21-day window to pay the whole arrearage to avoid reporting. A review is limited to mistake of fact about the amount or identity (552.512).
When can a license be suspended?
A payer’s occupational, recreational or sporting license may be suspended in a friend of the court case if the arrearage exceeds 2 months of support and income withholding is not applicable or has not worked. A driver license may be suspended only if, in addition, the court has done an ability-to-pay assessment and found the payer can pay but willfully does not, and the office determines no other sanction would work (552.628).
What are your rights before suspension?
The office must send a notice stating the arrearage and giving 21 days from mailing to pay or request a hearing. At the hearing you can object for a mistake of fact about the amount or your identity, or ask the court to set a payment schedule, and you can file a petition to modify if circumstances changed (552.628(3)). If you request a hearing, no suspension order is entered pending the outcome; a pending modification petition is consolidated with the hearing unless there is good cause not to (552.629).
Can Michigan take tax refunds?
Yes. The office of the friend of the court may ask the office of child support to start offset proceedings against state and federal tax refunds for an arrearage that meets the state or federal requirements (552.624).
Can you be jailed?
If a payer fails or refuses to obey the order and withholding is inapplicable or unsuccessful, the recipient or the friend of the court may start a civil contempt proceeding; a payer who does not appear can be found in contempt or a bench warrant can issue (552.631).
Can Michigan garnish wages?
Support orders are enforced by income withholding, and federal law sets the outer limits: 50% or 60%, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)).
| If the person | Limit | If support is more than 12 weeks overdue |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting a spouse or another child | 50% | 55% |
| Not supporting a spouse or another child | 60% | 65% |
What should you do if you owe?
Respond to every notice inside its 21-day window, add up the balance in the Michigan child support arrears calculator and, if your circumstances changed, file a petition to modify right away.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t pay child support in Michigan?
The friend of the court must start enforcement at one month of arrears; tools include withholding, reporting, tax offsets, license suspension and contempt.
How much of my paycheck can Michigan take for child support?
Federal law limits it to 50% or 60% of disposable earnings, and 55% or 65% for support more than 12 weeks overdue.
How long do I have to contest Michigan credit reporting of child support?
Twenty-one days from the date of the notice, to pay in full or request a review.
Can Michigan intercept my tax refund for child support?
Yes, through offset proceedings requested by the friend of the court.
When can the passport of a Michigan parent who owes child support be denied?
When arrears above $2,500 are certified under federal law.
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
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Michigan statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Michigan attorney.