Arrest Warrant for Child Support Arrears

My question involves child support in the State of: Michigan

I am trying to find out how to hire a lawyer for a child support case in Michigan. My boyfriend is an Illinois resident, and is behind on child support to Michigan. He is disabled, and it took a 5 year court battle to win his benefits from Social Security. During that time he had no income to pay child support with. Now that he has benefits of $480 a month, he tried to update his information, but has discovered there is a bench warrant out for him. To deal with this, would we hire a lawyer in Illinois? Or would a lawyer in Michigan have to help us? Given the nature of his disability, and that it's mental health related, being arrested or imprisoned would be extremely traumatic, and we need to settle this without that happening. We don't have the full $5000 to pay back, but we want to work out a payment plan.

The first thing your boyfriend needs to figure out is if he has an arrest warrant for contempt of court, or if he has been charged with criminal nonsupport of his child. Either way, the warrant will need to be addressed in the Michigan court from which it was issued.

I know the case would be heard there, but does that mean we hire a lawyer there too?

Yes, your boyfriend needs an attorney in Michigan, unless he can find one in Illinois that is admitted to the Michigan Bar and practices in both states.

Quote:

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Quoting Sasayaku

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I know the case would be heard there, but does that mean we hire a lawyer there too?

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as boorennie stated, you need a lawyer admitted to the Michigan Bar so they can act as a lawyer in the MI courts.


You would also likely be better off with one local to the court this matter is taking place in. Lawyers usually get travel expenses. Those travel costs will add up to a lot of money for no benefit to you.