Michigan requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period for divorces without minor children, and 180 days when children are involved — both measured from the filing date. Filing fees start at $175. Michigan is a no-fault, equitable distribution state: you cite "breakdown of the marriage relationship" and a judge divides marital assets fairly based on the circumstances of your case, not automatically 50/50.
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Michigan requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period for divorces without minor children, and 180 days when children are involved — both measured from the filing date. Filing fees start at $175. Michigan is a no-fault, equitable distribution state: you cite "breakdown of the marriage relationship" and a judge divides marital assets fairly based on the circumstances of your case, not automatically 50/50.
Michigan Divorce: Fast Facts
Key facts about Michigan divorce law, requirements, and costs
Category
Rule / Amount
Details
Learn More
Waiting Period
60 or 180 Days
60 days if no minor children (absolute — cannot be waived under any circumstances). 180 days if minor children are involved; this period can be reduced to 60 days by court order for "unusual hardship or compelling necessity." Both clocks start on the date the complaint is filed. That minimum cannot be shortened.
$175 for cases without minor children ($150 base + $25 e-filing fee). $255 if minor children are involved (adds an $80 custody/parenting time fee). Fee waivers available via Form MC 20 for qualifying low-income filers. Michigan law sets these fees statewide.
Michigan is an equitable distribution state — NOT a community property state. Marital assets and debts are divided fairly based on the circumstances of the marriage, not automatically 50/50. Courts weigh the Sparks v. Sparks factors to reach a just result. Spouses can agree to any division in a settlement agreement.
At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in the filing county for 10 days before filing. Michigan does not require a separation period — you can file while still living with your spouse. State law sets both requirements.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state — you cite "breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved" and do not need to prove wrongdoing or obtain your spouse's consent. Michigan does not require a separation period before filing. There are two pathways for couples who agree on all terms: the standard complaint process and the streamlined joint petition. Uncontested cases without children can close in as little as 60–90 days; cases with minor children take a minimum of 180 days.
Confirm Residency Requirements
At least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in the county where you plan to file for at least 10 days — both immediately before filing. Only one spouse needs to meet this requirement; if you qualify but your spouse does not, you can still file. There is a narrow exception to the 10-day county requirement: if your spouse is a foreign national, you have minor children together, and there is a credible risk the children could be taken out of the country, you may file in any Michigan county without meeting the 10-day rule.
Choose Your Filing Path and Complete Your Forms
For most filers: prepare a Complaint for Divorce (stating the statutory no-fault ground and your residency information) and obtain a Summons (MC 01) from the court clerk. If you have children under 18, you also need a UCCJEA Affidavit (MC 416) and a Verified Statement (FOC 23), which goes to the Friend of the Court. If both spouses agree on all terms, consider the joint petition pathway, which allows both parties to file together and potentially avoid a traditional service of process. All Michigan divorce forms are free at the Michigan Courts Self-Help Center.
File with the Circuit Court and Pay the Filing Fee
File your Complaint for Divorce and Summons at the Family Division of the Circuit Court in your county. Michigan courts widely use MiFILE (mifile.courts.michigan.gov) for e-filing; many counties now require or strongly encourage it for self-represented parties. Pay $175 (no minor children) or $255 (minor children involved) at filing. If you cannot afford the filing fee, file Form MC 20 (Affidavit and Order for Suspension of Fees/Costs) to request a waiver. Fee waivers are available to those receiving public assistance or who qualify as indigent — state law requires courts to waive fees for qualifying filers.
Serve Your Spouse
After filing, serve your spouse with the Complaint and Summons. Valid service methods under Michigan court rules include personal delivery by any legally competent adult (not a party), certified mail with return receipt, or other court-approved methods. Your spouse has 21 days to file an Answer after personal service in Michigan, or 28 days if served by mail or outside the state. If both spouses are filing jointly under the joint petition process, formal service of process is eliminated — the joint filing itself provides notice to both parties. The waiting period clock starts on the date the complaint is filed, not the date of service.
Exchange Financial Disclosures
Michigan requires both spouses to exchange the Domestic Relations Verified Financial Information Form (CC 320) within 28 days after the defendant files their initial responsive pleading. This form discloses income, assets, debts, and expenses for both parties. If the case involves a minor child or spousal support, the Verified Statement (FOC 23) must also be served on your spouse and submitted to the Friend of the Court. Incomplete financial disclosures are among the most common reasons courts delay entering a final judgment.
Negotiate and Sign a Settlement Agreement (Consent Judgment)
Your written settlement agreement — often called a Consent Judgment or Marital Settlement Agreement in Michigan — governs all final divorce terms: property and debt division, spousal support, child custody and parenting time, and child support. Both spouses sign. For uncontested cases, this document becomes the core of your final Judgment of Divorce. Use our settlement agreement checklist to ensure nothing is omitted.
Attend a Proofs Hearing and Receive Your Judgment of Divorce
Michigan requires a judge to take testimony on the record before entering a Judgment of Divorce — you cannot finalize your divorce entirely on paper without appearing before a judge. At the proofs hearing, you (and typically your spouse) briefly testify to establish the statutory grounds and confirm the terms of your agreement. For uncontested cases, this hearing is brief and typically takes 15–30 minutes. After the judge signs the Judgment of Divorce and it is entered by the clerk, your divorce is final. You will receive a file-stamped copy; order certified copies ($10 + $1 per page) for name changes, beneficiary updates, and other records.
Michigan Divorce Laws: Grounds, Residency, and the Joint Petition
Michigan adopted no-fault divorce grounds in 1972. The only ground for divorce is that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. You do not need to prove why the marriage failed, and your spouse cannot block a divorce by simply refusing to consent. Michigan also offers a joint petition pathway for couples who agree on all issues, streamlining the process by eliminating traditional service of process.
Michigan divorce law: grounds, residency, waiting periods, and filing options
Topic
Michigan Rule
Statute / Rule
Grounds for Divorce
Breakdown of the marriage relationship — no-fault only; no fault grounds exist
MCL 552.6
Waiting Period — No Children
60 days from filing — absolute minimum, cannot be waived under any circumstances
MCL 552.9f
Waiting Period — With Minor Children
180 days from filing; reducible to 60 days for "unusual hardship or compelling necessity" by court order
MCL 552.9f
State Residency
180 days in Michigan immediately before filing (one spouse must qualify)
MCL 552.9(1)
County Residency
10 days in the filing county immediately before filing (exception for international child abduction risk)
MCL 552.9(1)–(2)
Separation Requirement
None — you may file while still living with your spouse
MCL 552.9
Joint Petition Option
Available when both spouses agree on all terms; eliminates traditional service of process
MCR 3.223
Michigan's Joint Petition Process — When Both Spouses Agree
Michigan Court Rule 3.223 allows any couple who agrees on all divorce terms — property, debts, support, and custody — to file a joint petition together. Both spouses are treated as co-petitioners rather than adversarial parties. The court issues a Notice of Filing (not a traditional summons) and schedules a single combined hearing no sooner than 60 days after filing. If both spouses appear and the court approves the settlement, judgment is entered that day.
What the joint petition eliminates:
Traditional service of process / process server
Standard summons (MC 01) and formal answer period
"Plaintiff vs. Defendant" adversarial framing
What the joint petition still requires:
Financial disclosures (CC 320) and FOC forms if children
Property Division in Michigan: Equitable Distribution
Michigan is an equitable distribution state — not a community property state. Michigan law requires the Circuit Court to divide marital property in a manner that is "just and reasonable" based on the specific facts of your marriage. This does not mean an automatic 50/50 split. Courts apply the factors established in the landmark case Sparks v. Sparks to reach a fair outcome. In practice, long marriages with deeply intertwined finances often result in a roughly equal division, but short marriages or cases with significant separate property may produce very different results.
Michigan property division categories and treatment in divorce
Property Category
Definition
Subject to Division?
Marital Property
Assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title
Yes — equitable division
Separate Property
Assets owned before marriage; gifts and inheritances received during marriage (kept separate)
Generally no — returned to owner; court may invade in limited circumstances
Commingled Property
Separate property mixed with marital funds (e.g., inheritance deposited into joint account)
Marital portion subject to division; owner must trace separate funds with documentation
Actively Appreciated Separate Property
Growth in separate property attributable to either spouse's active efforts during the marriage
Active appreciation may be treated as marital; passive appreciation generally remains separate
Marital Debts
Debts incurred during the marriage (credit cards, mortgages, loans), even if titled in one spouse's name
Yes — equitably divided or by agreement
Key factors Michigan courts weigh under Sparks v. Sparks:
Duration of the marriage — longer marriages typically result in a more equal division of assets
Contributions of each spouse to the marital estate — both financial contributions and non-monetary contributions such as homemaking and child-rearing
Each party's earning capacity, age, and health — courts consider each spouse's ability to maintain a comparable standard of living after the divorce
Needs of the parties — if a property division alone is insufficient for one spouse's suitable support, the court may invade the other spouse's separate property in limited circumstances (the Reeves doctrine)
Prior standard of living — parties in longer marriages with similar lifestyles are entitled to comparable post-divorce living standards where the estate allows
Fault and misconduct affecting the marital estate — while Michigan is no-fault for divorce grounds, a spouse who dissipates assets, hides income, or engages in financial misconduct may receive a less favorable division
Spousal support — called alimony in common usage — is not automatic in Michigan. State law allows a court to award spousal support when the property division alone is insufficient for the suitable support and maintenance of either party. The standard is what is "just and reasonable" given the ability of each party to pay and all circumstances of the case. There is no formula for calculating permanent spousal support in Michigan; courts instead weigh up to 14 case-specific factors drawn from decades of Michigan case law. The primary purpose of support, per Loutts v. Loutts (2012), is to balance the parties' incomes so neither is impoverished after the divorce.
Types of spousal support available in Michigan divorce cases
Support Type
When It Applies
Michigan Statute
Temporary Support (Pendente Lite)
During the divorce proceedings; requested via verified motion; ends when the final judgment is entered
MCL 552.13; MCR 3.207
Rehabilitative / Periodic Support
Paid for a defined term to allow a spouse to gain education or job skills and become self-supporting (most common type in Michigan)
MCL 552.23(1)
Permanent Support
Indefinite payments; reserved for long marriages where a spouse cannot become financially independent due to age, health, or disability
MCL 552.23(1)
Lump-Sum / Alimony in Gross
A single payment in full; non-modifiable once entered; appropriate when one party can afford to pay the entire amount upfront
MCL 552.23(1)
Factors Michigan courts weigh for spousal support (from Parish v. Parish):
Length of the marriage — longer marriages with a clear economic disparity between spouses are more likely to produce a support award
Each party's ability to work and earning capacity — education level, employment history, and marketable skills are all relevant
The source and amount of property awarded to each spouse — a larger property award of income-producing assets may reduce or eliminate the need for support
Age and health of each party — a spouse with documented health limitations or advanced age that affects earning ability weighs in favor of support
Prior standard of living and whether either party supports others — maintaining a comparable post-divorce lifestyle is a recognized goal, particularly in long marriages
Past relations and conduct of the parties — fault in the breakdown is one factor courts may consider, though it should not receive disproportionate weight
For a general estimate of support amounts, see our alimony calculator guide. For cases with significant income disparity or complex support claims, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can model scenarios before you negotiate your settlement agreement.
Child Custody and Support in Michigan
Michigan courts determine child custody using the 12 "best interests of the child" factors in the Child Custody Act of 1970. Neither parent has a gender-based presumptive right to custody. The Friend of the Court (FOC) — a distinctive Michigan institution — assists the court in every case involving minor children by investigating, making recommendations, and enforcing support and parenting time orders. Child support is calculated using the mandatory Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF), updated January 1, 2025, based on both parents' net income and each parent's annual overnight count with the child.
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about the child's education, health care, and upbringing. Michigan courts strongly favor joint legal custody — both parents sharing decision-making authority — unless domestic violence, substance abuse, or a sustained inability to cooperate makes joint custody harmful or unworkable. Sole legal custody is reserved for cases where one parent's involvement would be detrimental to the child.
Joint legal custody does not mean equal parenting time — it refers only to shared decision-making authority.
Physical Custody
Where the child lives day to day. Michigan recognizes primary physical custody, joint physical custody, and arrangements in between. An "established custodial environment" — where the child naturally looks to a parent for daily guidance and affection over time — carries significant legal weight. Changing an established custodial environment requires clear and convincing evidence that the change is in the child's best interest.
The annual overnight count directly affects child support calculations under the Michigan Child Support Formula.
Michigan's 12 best-interest factors (courts must evaluate and weigh all of them):
(a) The love, affection, and emotional ties between the child and each parent — who has the stronger day-to-day bond
(b) Each parent's capacity to give love, guidance, and to continue the child's education and upbringing in their religion or creed, if any
(c) Each parent's capacity to provide food, clothing, and medical care
(d) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment — continuity of home, school, and community is strongly favored
(e) The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home
(f) The moral fitness of each parent — including conduct that may expose the child to harmful or unstable situations
(g) The mental and physical health of each parent
(h) The child's home, school, and community record — their current adjustment and performance
(i) The child's reasonable preference — if the child is of sufficient age and maturity to express a preference; the court may conduct a private interview with the child
(j) The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent — often the single most heavily weighted factor in contested custody cases
(k) Domestic violence — any history of abuse by either parent toward the child or the other parent
(l) Any other factor considered relevant by the court — a catch-all provision that allows judges to weigh unique circumstances not captured by factors (a) through (k)
A Michigan divorce can cost as little as $175 in court fees for a simple uncontested case without children — or $15,000–$30,000+ per spouse in a fully contested case with trial. The biggest cost driver is disagreement: each issue (custody, support, property division) that goes before a judge adds attorney hours, FOC proceedings, and months of delay. The mandatory 60-day or 180-day waiting period means even the fastest Michigan divorce takes at minimum two to six months.
Estimated total cost of divorce in Michigan by filing path
Divorce Path
Estimated Total Cost
Primary Cost Driver
Joint Petition (DIY, no children)
$175–$500
Filing fee only; no process server; single hearing; must agree on all terms
Service of process fees — typically $30–$75 for standard personal service; eliminated entirely under the joint petition pathway
QDRO / EDRO drafting — $500–$1,500 per retirement account; Michigan public employee plans (MERS, MSERS, MPSERS for educators) require specialized Eligible Domestic Relations Orders reviewed by the plan administrator; see our QDRO guide
Friend of the Court fees — ongoing FOC service fees apply in cases involving children for support collection, parenting time enforcement, and case review; amounts vary by county and income level
Custody evaluations — if ordered by the court, professional evaluations and FOC investigations may impose costs on both parties; private evaluators can cost $3,000–$6,000 or more
Certified copies of the judgment — $10 + $1 per page from the Circuit Court clerk; order at least 3–5 copies for name changes, beneficiary updates, mortgage refinancing, and personal records
Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce — Michigan's Two Filing Paths
Michigan offers two primary filing paths: the standard complaint process (one spouse files, the other is served) and the joint petition (both spouses file together as co-petitioners). Whether your case is uncontested or contested depends not on which path you start, but on whether you and your spouse ultimately agree on all issues before a judge decides them. Cases that start as joint petitions can become contested if agreement breaks down, and contested cases often settle before trial.
Comparison of Michigan's two primary divorce filing paths: joint petition vs. standard complaint
Feature
Joint Petition (Best When Both Agree)
Standard Complaint (Default Path — Uncontested or Contested)
Who Files
Both spouses file together as co-petitioners
One spouse files; the other is formally served and has 21 days to answer
Service of Process
No traditional service of process required
Required; process server or certified mail; adds cost and time
Hearing Structure
Single combined hearing; judgment entered that day if approved
Separate hearings possible; may include temporary order hearings, FOC review
Eligibility Restrictions
No restrictions on children, assets, or marriage length — requires complete agreement at filing
Available to all filers; can request temporary court orders (custody, support, property) while pending
Typical Timeline (No Children)
60–90 days
Uncontested: 60–90 days; Contested: 7–18+ months
Typical Timeline (Minor Children)
180+ days
180+ days (uncontested); 7–18+ months (contested)
Estimated Cost
$175–$500 (DIY, no children)
$255–$800 (DIY, uncontested with children); $15,000–$30,000+ per spouse if trial required
If you and your spouse are close to agreement but stuck on specific issues, Hello Divorce mediation services can help bridge the gap at a fraction of litigation costs. Mediation is particularly effective for property division, spousal support, and parenting plan disputes — and Michigan courts actively encourage it for domestic relations cases.
Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Michigan
Michigan recognizes a formal court status called "separate maintenance" — the state's equivalent of legal separation. A separate maintenance action follows nearly the same process as divorce, uses the same forms and financial disclosures, and results in a court judgment governing property, support, and custody. The critical difference: at the end, you remain legally married and cannot remarry. Michigan does not impose the 60-day or 180-day waiting period on separate maintenance actions, which means a judgment can be entered as soon as all issues are resolved.
Comparison of separate maintenance (legal separation) vs. divorce in Michigan
Feature
Separate Maintenance
Divorce
Marital Status After Judgment
Remain legally married — cannot remarry
Marriage legally dissolved — free to remarry
Mandatory Waiting Period
None — judgment can be entered as soon as all issues are resolved
60 days (no children) or 180 days (minor children) from filing date
State Residency Requirement
No 180-day Michigan residency requirement — can file immediately upon moving to state
One spouse must have lived in Michigan 180 days before filing
If Spouse Contests
If your spouse contests the separation and files for divorce, the court may convert the case to a divorce proceeding
Spouse cannot block divorce from being granted once waiting period elapses
Conversion Option
A separate maintenance judgment can be converted to a divorce at either party's request — original filing date is preserved
N/A
Why Choose Separate Maintenance?
Preserve a spouse's health insurance coverage through the other's employer plan — divorce typically terminates this benefit
Reach the 10-year marriage threshold for Social Security spousal benefit eligibility
Religious or personal objections to divorce while still needing court-ordered property and support arrangements
You have not yet met Michigan's 180-day state residency requirement for divorce — a separate maintenance action can be filed immediately without meeting it
Michigan uses standardized statewide court forms issued by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO), available for free at the Michigan Courts Self-Help Center. Most Michigan courts require or encourage e-filing via MiFILE (mifile.courts.michigan.gov). Some counties also provide local form packets, but the core forms listed below are consistent statewide. Note that Michigan does not publish a single official blank "Complaint for Divorce" template — you draft your own complaint that must include the statutory language from MCL 552.6 and your residency information.
Required Michigan divorce forms by filing path
Form
Purpose
Path
Complaint for Divorce
Primary pleading initiating the divorce; must state the MCL 552.6 no-fault ground and residency information; drafted by the filing spouse
Standard path
Summons (MC 01)
Issued by the court clerk; served with the Complaint; notifies the defendant and triggers the 21-day answer period
Standard path only
UCCJEA Affidavit (MC 416)
Required whenever the case involves minor children; discloses each child's residence history for jurisdictional purposes
Both paths — required if children
Verified Statement (FOC 23)
Required if the case involves a minor child or spousal support; discloses party information and health insurance details; served on your spouse and filed with the Friend of the Court
Both paths — required if children or support
Financial Information Form (CC 320)
Domestic Relations Verified Financial Information Form; exchanged between parties within 28 days of the defendant's initial responsive pleading; not filed with the court
Both paths — mandatory
Judgment of Divorce
Final court order signed by the judge; legally ends the marriage; must incorporate or attach the parties' settlement agreement
Both paths — mandatory
Uniform Child Support Order (UCSO / FOC 10b or 10c)
Required in every case involving minor children; sets the child support obligation per the MCSF formula; governs support if the Judgment conflicts with this order
Both paths — required if children
Record of Divorce (DCH-0838)
Vital-records report provided to the court clerk for state registrar filing; required in all divorce cases
Both paths — required
Fee Waiver (MC 20)
Affidavit and Order for Suspension of Fees/Costs; requests a waiver of filing fees for qualifying low-income filers under MCL 600.2529(5)
In Michigan, you can request a name restoration in your Complaint for Divorce at the time of filing — at no additional filing cost. The judge will include the name change in your final Judgment of Divorce. This allows you to restore a former surname or a pre-marriage name. Once you have your certified Judgment, follow this sequence to update your records.
Social Security Administration — Update your SSA record first using your certified Judgment and photo ID. Visit your local SSA office, submit Form SS-5 by mail, or use the online portal at ssa.gov. Your updated SSA card is required before the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) will update your driver's license.
Michigan Secretary of State (Driver's License) — Visit a Michigan SOS branch office with your updated SSA card, certified Judgment, and proof of Michigan residency. Michigan offers online SOS appointment scheduling at michigan.gov/sos. If you need a REAL ID–compliant license, bring additional identity and residency documents per SOS requirements.
U.S. Passport — Submit the appropriate DS form with your certified Judgment. Use DS-5504 if your passport was issued less than 1 year ago (no fee); DS-82 if issued more than 1 year ago (fee required); or DS-11 for a first-time application or if your passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
Financial accounts, employer HR, and insurance — Contact each institution individually with a certified copy of your Judgment. Order at least 3–5 certified copies from the Circuit Court clerk when you receive your Judgment — $10 + $1 per page. Note: Michigan law automatically revokes divorce-related provisions in a will naming a former spouse, but you should still update your estate plan and beneficiary designations promptly.
The minimum is 60 days for cases without minor children, and 180 days for cases with minor children — both measured from the date the Complaint for Divorce is filed. The 60-day minimum is absolute and cannot be waived under any circumstances. The 180-day period for cases with children can be reduced to as few as 60 days by court order for "unusual hardship or compelling necessity," but courts apply this exception inconsistently. Uncontested cases without children that use the joint petition pathway typically close in 60–90 days. Contested divorces involving custody, property disputes, or business valuations typically take 7–18 months or longer depending on court docket backlogs.
Is Michigan a 50/50 divorce state?
No. Michigan is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Marital assets and debts are divided fairly — but not necessarily equally — based on the circumstances of the marriage. A judge has broad discretion, guided by the factors from Sparks v. Sparks (1992), to award one spouse more than half the marital estate when fairness requires it. In practice, long marriages with deeply intertwined finances often produce a roughly equal division, but shorter marriages, significant separate property, or financial misconduct by one spouse can result in very different outcomes. Spouses can agree in their settlement agreement to any division they choose, and courts generally enforce written agreements.
Does Michigan require a reason to get divorced?
No. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Michigan law sets one ground for divorce: that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. You do not need your spouse's consent, agreement, or cooperation to file or to obtain a divorce. Even if your spouse objects to the divorce entirely, the court will grant the dissolution once the waiting period has elapsed. Michigan eliminated fault-based grounds for divorce in 1972. While fault and marital misconduct are not grounds for divorce, they can still be one factor courts consider in property division and spousal support determinations.
Do I have to go to court for a Michigan divorce?
Yes — Michigan requires at least one court appearance. A judge must take testimony on the record (a "proofs hearing") before entering a Judgment of Divorce. You cannot finalize your divorce entirely on paper. For uncontested cases, this hearing is typically brief — both spouses (or just the filing spouse in a default case) testify to the statutory grounds and confirm the settlement terms. The hearing often takes 15–30 minutes. Many Michigan courts now allow these hearings to take place by videoconference, which can reduce the need to take time off work. Additional hearings may be required in contested cases involving custody, support disputes, or motions.
What happens to the house in a Michigan divorce?
If the home was purchased during the marriage, it is marital property subject to equitable division under MCL 552.19. Common resolutions include one spouse buying out the other's share of equity, selling the home and splitting the proceeds, or a deferred sale arrangement where one parent stays in the home until children reach a certain age or a trigger event occurs. The division does not have to be 50/50 — the court weighs financial circumstances, each spouse's ability to maintain the property, and the needs of any children in the home. If the home was purchased before marriage or with verified separate funds, the separate property portion may be traced and excluded. Use our home equity split calculator to estimate your options.
Can I get divorced in Michigan without a lawyer?
Yes. Many Michigan residents complete uncontested divorces without an attorney using official SCAO forms available free at the Michigan Courts Self-Help Center and via MiFILE e-filing. The joint petition pathway under MCR 3.223 is particularly well-suited for self-represented parties because it eliminates service of process and uses a single combined hearing. Online services like Hello Divorce provide guided form preparation, a completed settlement agreement, and access to attorneys by the hour when you need legal advice — without requiring a full retainer. See our guide: How to DIY Your Michigan Divorce.
What are Michigan's financial disclosure requirements in a divorce?
Michigan requires both parties to exchange the Domestic Relations Verified Financial Information Form (CC 320) within 28 days after the defendant files their initial responsive pleading. This form discloses each party's income, assets, debts, and expenses. If the case involves minor children or a request for spousal support, the Verified Statement (FOC 23) must also be served on the other party and submitted to the Friend of the Court. These disclosures are exchanged between the parties — they are not filed with the court (only the proof of service is filed). Incomplete or inaccurate financial disclosures are among the most common reasons courts delay or deny final judgments. These requirements apply to both the standard complaint path and the joint petition pathway.
What is the Friend of the Court and how does it affect my divorce?
The Friend of the Court (FOC) is a Michigan-specific government office assigned to every divorce involving minor children. The FOC investigates custody, parenting time, and child support issues; interviews parents and sometimes children; and issues a written recommendation to the judge. If both parties accept the FOC recommendation, the process moves faster. If either party objects, a separate de novo hearing before the judge is required, which adds cost and time. The FOC also enforces support and parenting time orders after the divorce is finalized — including through wage garnishment, license suspension, and contempt proceedings. Parties can opt out of certain FOC services in limited circumstances, but the FOC remains active in all cases involving children.
Local Michigan County Court Resources
Michigan divorce cases are filed at the Family Division of the Circuit Court in the county where you or your spouse resides. Below are direct links to the official court family law and divorce resources for Michigan's five most populous counties.
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