Michigan Families Deserve Better
Financial Burden of Michigan Family Court
The Cost of a Custody Case
Average Michigan divorce with children: $15,000–$30,000
High‑conflict custody cases: $40,000–$100,000+
Cases involving allegations (abuse, alienation, substance use): $80,000–$200,000+
Appeals: $20,000–$50,000+
Long cases (2–5 years): $100,000–$250,000+
Key point:
Families routinely spend more than their annual income trying to keep parenting time.
Attorney Fees
Michigan family law attorneys typically charge $250–$450/hour
Retainers range from $3,500–$10,000
High‑conflict cases require multiple retainers
Complex cases can exceed $100,000 in attorney fees alone
Key point:
The longer the case, the more financially devastating it becomes.
Court‑Ordered Services
Psychological evaluations: $3,000–$10,000
Guardian ad litem fees: $1,500–$7,500
Parenting coordinators: $2,500–$10,000/year
Supervised visitation: $50–$150 per visit
Drug/alcohol testing: $40–$150 per test
Therapy requirements: $100–$200/session
Key point:
These costs are often mandatory — even when families cannot afford them.
Loans, Debt & Second Mortgages
62% of parents in custody battles take out personal loans
38% use credit cards to pay legal fees
27% take out a second mortgage
19% borrow from retirement accounts
11% borrow from family or friends
Many parents report $20,000–$80,000 in new debt directly caused by the court process
Key point:
Families are forced into debt just to stay in their children’s lives.
Bankruptcy & Financial Collapse
Custody litigation is a leading cause of bankruptcy among single parents
Parents report:
drained savings
maxed‑out credit
repossessed vehicles
foreclosure risk
inability to pay basic bills
Bankruptcy often occurs during the case — worsening outcomes
Key point:
The financial burden becomes so extreme that many parents lose everything.
Job Loss & Income Disruption
Court hearings often require parents to miss work
High‑conflict cases can require 20–40+ court appearances
Parents report:
job loss
reduced hours
demotions
disciplinary action
Lost wages can total $5,000–$25,000+ over the course of a case
Key point:
The court process itself destabilizes employment.
Child Support & Wage Garnishment
Michigan’s formula is outdated and often imbalanced
Wage garnishment can take 25–50% of a parent’s income
Imputed income is assigned even when a parent is unemployed
Missed payments lead to:
license suspension
credit damage
jail time
additional fees
Key point:
The system financially punishes parents even when they are already drowning.
Transportation & Logistics Costs
Long‑distance parenting time can cost $200–$600/month
Gas, hotels, meals, and missed work add up quickly
Parents often travel hours for supervised visits
Key point:
Parenting time becomes financially inaccessible for many families.
Mental Health Costs
Therapy for parents: $100–$200/session
Therapy for children: $100–$200/session
Psychiatric evaluations: $1,000–$3,000
Medication costs: $50–$300/month
Key point:
The emotional toll becomes a financial toll.
Suicide & Crisis‑Level Impact
20% of U.S. suicides involve divorce, custody, or separation
Parents in custody battles face elevated suicide risk
Financial collapse is one of the strongest predictors of suicidal ideation
Children of divorce are 3× more likely to attempt suicide
High‑conflict cases show spikes in:
depression
anxiety
panic disorders
PTSD
self‑harm
Key point:
The financial burden is not just economic — it becomes life‑threatening.