Unpaid child support can have a profound impact on your finances, and on your future. So what can you do about it? If you owe a lot of money to your ex, or to the state, for unpaid child support payments (called arrears in Michigan), then you need to know that you have options. So, let’s take a look at what you can do to solve this problem.
Consolidating child support debts in Michigan:
Debt consolidation means taking out a new, separate loan to pay off a number of other debts. In essence, trading one large loan for several smaller ones that have build up over time. The goal, when trying to consolidating a debt, is to get better terms than you have currently. That would mean getting a lower, more manageable monthly payment, or maybe lower interest on your payment. Because if the terms aren’t better, the truth is – there’s really no point!
This is certainly the case for people with bad credit who often aren’t eligible for low interest loans. Getting a single loan to cover many debts might feel good at the time, because now you only have one payment instead of several. But if that one payment is the same amount or even larger than the multiple previous payments added together, you’re back to square one.
In 2018 Michigan laws changed to make paying off child support easier:
As of September 2018, a total of 45 states have implemented policies that allow people to adjust child support debt owed to the state, or arrange payment plans with the court.
This law allows the Department of Human Services (or its designee) the right to use discretion in settling and compromising child support debt owed to the state.
This law allows noncustodial parents who are struggling to pay their child support debt in full to request a payment plan from the court. This plan has to have a 24 month minimum, and when the payment plan is complete, assuming that parent has faithfully made their agreed up on payments, the court may choose to waive any remaining outstanding debt owed to the state.
This law allows non custodial parents to request a payment plan from the court that would allow the interest to be waived if they make regular payments.
Paying off child support makes life easier for you!
Join us next time to look at the many reasons paying court-ordered child support is always the best route (especially when you consider the possible consequences of not paying!) Until then, if you have questions about your child support payment, or need help sorting out your child support agreement, call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. Our skilled family law attorneys can help you with every aspect of your divorce.