2006 Michigan Compiled Laws - Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.635 Finding payer in contempt; orders; release from county jail of unemployed payer who finds employment; noncompliance with arrearage payment schedule; suspension of license.

Sec. 35.

(1) The court may find a payer in contempt if the court finds that the payer is in arrears and 1 of the following:

(a) The court is satisfied that by the exercise of diligence the payer could have the capacity to pay all or some portion of the amount due under the support order and that the payer fails or refuses to do so.

(b) The payer has failed to obtain a source of income and has failed to participate in a work activity after referral by the friend of the court.

(2) Upon finding a payer in contempt of court under this section, the court shall, absent good cause to the contrary, immediately order the payer to participate in a work activity and may also do 1 or more of the following:

(a) Commit the payer to the county jail with the privilege of leaving the jail during the hours the court determines, and under the supervision the court considers, necessary for the purpose of allowing the payer to participate in a work activity.

(b) If the payer holds an occupational license, driver's license, or recreational or sporting license, condition a suspension of the payer's license, or a combination of the licenses, upon noncompliance with an order for payment of the arrearage in 1 or more scheduled installments of a sum certain. A court shall not order the sanction authorized by this subdivision unless the court finds that the payer has accrued an arrearage of support payments in an amount greater than the amount of periodic support payments payable for 2 months under the payer's support order.

(c) If available within the court's jurisdiction, order the payer to participate in a community corrections program established as provided in the community corrections act, 1988 PA 511, MCL 791.401 to 791.414.

(d) Except as provided by federal law and regulations, order the parent to pay a fine of not more than $100.00. A fine ordered under this subdivision shall be deposited in the friend of the court fund created in section 2530 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2530.

(3) Notwithstanding the length of commitment imposed under this section, the court may release a payer who is unemployed if committed to a county jail under this section and who finds employment if either of the following applies:

(a) The payer is self-employed, completes 2 consecutive weeks at his or her employment, and makes a support payment as required by the court.

(b) The payer is employed and completes 2 consecutive weeks at his or her employment and an order of income withholding is effective.

(4) If the court enters an order under subsection (2)(b) and the payer fails to comply with the arrearage payment schedule, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the court shall order suspension of the payer's license or licenses with respect to which the order under subsection (2)(b) was entered and shall proceed under section 30.

History: 1982, Act 295, Eff. July 1, 1983 ;-- Am. 1985, Act 210, Eff. Mar. 1, 1986 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 239, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 336, Eff. Jan. 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 334, Imd. Eff. Aug. 10, 1998 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 567, Eff. June 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 206, Eff. Feb. 28, 2005