To get a divorce in Michigan, these are the key steps and requirements:
- Residency: Either spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in the county where the divorce is filed for at least 10 days before filing.
- Grounds: Michigan is a no-fault state; the main ground is an "irretrievable breakdown" of the marriage with no reasonable chance of reconciliation.
- Filing: The divorce process begins by filing a Complaint for Divorce and a Summons with the Family Division of the Circuit Court in the chosen county.
- Service: The spouse receiving the divorce must be formally served with papers by a third party.
- Response: The spouse served has 21 days (if served in person) or 28 days (if by mail/out of state) to respond.
- Waiting Period: There is a mandatory waiting period of 60 days if no minor children are involved, or 180 days if there are minor children, before the divorce can be finalized.
- Finalizing: Once issues like property division, child custody, and support are resolved, a Judgment of Divorce is issued by the judge officially ending the marriage.
No separation period is required before filing, and divorces can be contested or uncontested depending on the cooperation of both parties. Paperwork can be self-prepared using tools like the Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool available online.
This process ensures legal termination of the marriage with terms addressed fairly by the court. If needed, professional legal advice can help with complex cases or to expedite proceedings. This summary covers the main procedural steps to get a divorce in Michigan legally and effectively. All statements are from reliable Michigan family law resources.
