[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-lawmakers-look-to-loosen-bail-in-spousal-support-cases\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-lawmakers-look-to-loosen-bail-in-spousal-support-cases\/","headline":"Michigan Lawmakers Look to Loosen Bail in Child Support Cases","name":"Michigan Lawmakers Look to Loosen Bail in Child Support Cases","description":"Michigan legislators recently introduced a package of nine bills to overhaul the state\u2019s cash bail system, including for people who have\u00a0child support\u00a0arrears. Proponents of the legislation and the lawmakers introducing the legislation argue that the current law, which often requires people charged with a crime to put up significant amounts of cash if they want […]","datePublished":"2019-04-22","dateModified":"2025-09-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/#Person","name":"James Kraayeveld","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/","identifier":29,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Kraayeveld Family Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","width":454,"height":599},"url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-lawmakers-look-to-loosen-bail-in-spousal-support-cases\/","about":["Child Support"],"wordCount":606,"articleBody":"Michigan legislators recently introduced a package of nine bills to overhaul the state\u2019s cash bail system, including for people who have\u00a0child support\u00a0arrears.Proponents of the legislation and the lawmakers introducing the legislation argue that the current law, which often requires people charged with a crime to put up significant amounts of cash if they want to stay out of jail while pending trial, discriminates against people who can\u2019t pony up that kind of money.\u201cPulling someone off the job and putting them in jail creates a vicious cycle,\u201d State Rep. Tommy Brann (R \u2013 Wyoming) said at a\u00a0press conference\u00a0announcing the proposals. \u201cSitting in jail does not help them pay their debts.\u201dThe idea is that people already having trouble making those payments may be put in a deeper hole if they have to come up with a significant cash bail amount or are forced to miss work while behind bars awaiting a trial or hearing.Roughly 41 percent of inmates in Michigan jails are waiting for trial, according to the legislation\u2019s sponsors. It costs the state government about $75 per person per day to house those inmates.Brann is joined by State Rep. David LaGrand (D\u2013Grand Rapids) and Sen. Jeff Irwin (D\u2013Ann Arbor) as lead sponsors of the legislative package. State Attorney General Dana Nessel has also expressed support for overhauling the cash bail system.\u201cThe current system disproportionally burdens those with lower incomes, often reinforcing poverty cycles with deep consequences for even minor infractions,\u201d LaGrand said after introducing the legislation.On the other hand, when\u00a0child support\u00a0is ordered, the amount that was ordered is deemed to be fair. If circumstances change, a payor of child support may petition the court for a different support amount.\u00a0That is different than in cases of bail in a criminal case.In child support cases, when the payor of support fails to pay the ordered\u00a0child support\u00a0amount, the children will be the harmed by the lack of payment. In reality, when the payor of support must post bond to be released from jail, those funds are applied to the outstanding support amount thereby benefiting the minor children. Usually, parents that owe child support arrearages obtain support from third parties to post bail and make a payment towards their child support obligation. Sometimes, the parent can\u2019t find help or the amount is too drastic.Certainly, these issues are complex and at Kraayeveld Family Law, we have represented parents to collect outstanding support and we have represented parents about to be arrested for failure to pay an impossible amount of support and needing a modification\u00a0of the support order.\u00a0No legislation should take away a judge\u2019s authority to apply logic, common sense and issue an order that fits the facts of that particular case.Speak With a Grand Rapids Alimony Lawyer TodayIf you\u2019re thinking about separating or getting a divorce or are grappling with child support issues, the help of an experienced\u00a0family law attorney\u00a0can go a long way. A seasoned attorney can help you navigate the legal process, weighing your rights and options every step of the way.At\u00a0Kraayeveld Family Law, our Grand Rapids alimony lawyers have been representing people throughout the area in divorce and other family law matters for more than a quarter of a century. Our firm combines decades of experience in child support and other matters to help people efficiently untangle their marriages.We are conveniently located in Grand Rapids. Call 616-285-0808 or\u00a0contact us\u00a0online to make an appointment to speak with a Grand Rapids alimony lawyer about your situation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Michigan Lawmakers Look to Loosen Bail in Child Support Cases","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/michigan-lawmakers-look-to-loosen-bail-in-spousal-support-cases\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]