Michigan Divorce Law

Residency Requirements

Immediately prior to filing for divorce, 1 of the spouses must have been a resident of Michigan for 180 days and a resident of the county for 10 days where the divorce is filed. However, a person may file for divorce in any county in the state without meeting the 10-day residency requirement if the defendant was born in or is a citizen of a foreign country and there are minor children in the marriage who are at risk of being taken out of the country by the defendant.

Legal Grounds for Divorce

No Fault Divorce:       

• 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.

General Divorce:

• 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 are the only grounds for divorce in Michigan.

 

Legal Separation in Michigan

The only grounds for legal separation (separate maintenance) in Michigan is 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. There is no residency requirement specified in the statute.

Simplified/Special Divorce Procedures in Michigan:

There are mandatory official approved and simplified (fill-in-the-blank) forms available for all phases of the divorce process. These forms are contained in the official Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office Forms Book and should be available from the Clerk of the Circuit Court in any Michigan county. In addition, the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau is to supply each party in a divorce case with a pamphlet discussing the court procedures, the rights and responsibilities of the parties, the availability of mediation, human services, and joint custody.

Alimony/Spousal Support in Michigan:

Either spouse may be ordered to pay alimony. The alimony may be awarded if the property awarded to a spouse is insufficient to allow that spouse suitable support and maintenance. Factors for consideration specified in the statute are:        

• The ability of either spouse to pay.        
• The character and situation of the spouses.        
• All other circumstances of the case.

All payments of spousal support shall be ordered to be made through the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau.

Child Custody in Michigan:

Sole or joint custody is awarded based on the best interests of the child and on the following factors:        

• Moral character and prudence of the parents.        
• Physical, emotional, mental, religious, and social needs of the child.       
• Capability and desire of each parent to meet the child’s emotional, educational, and other needs.        
• Preference of the child, if the child is of sufficient age and capacity.        
• The love and affection and other emotional ties existing between the child and each parent.        
• The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.       
• The desire and ability of each parent to allow an open and loving frequent relationship between the child and the other parent.        
• The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community.        
• The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.        
• The permanence as a family unit of the proposed custodial home or homes.        
• Any other factors.

If joint custody is an issue, the court will consider all of the above factors and the following additional factors:        

• Whether the parents will be able to cooperate and generally agree concerning important decisions affecting the welfare of the child.        
• If the parents agree on joint custody.

Child Support in Michigan:

Either parent may be ordered to provide a just and proper amount of child support. There is a Child Support Formula to be used as a guideline and it is presumed to be correct unless shown to be unjust or inappropriate under the circumstances in a particular case. This formula is contained in Michigan Compiled Laws Annotated, Section 552.519. The court may require the parent providing support to file a bond guaranteeing the support payments. Support may include health care, dental care, childcare, and education of the child.

The Judgment of Divorce must include a provision that requires 1 or both of the parents to provide health care coverage, if such coverage is available at a reasonable cost as a benefit of employment. All payments of child support shall be ordered to be made through the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau. Each parent will be required to keep the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau informed of their address, sources of income, and health insurance coverage.

Property Distribution in Michigan:

Michigan is an “equitable distribution” state. The court may divide the all of the spouse’s property, including any gifts or inheritances, in a just and reasonable manner, if it appears that the spouse contributed to the acquisition, improvement, or accumulation of the property. The factors to be considered are:        

• The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the marital property, including the contribution of each spouse as homemaker.        
• The length of the marriage.       
• Any retirement benefits, including social security, civil service, and military and railroad retirement benefits.        
• Any prior marriage of each spouse.        
• The circumstances that contributed to the estrangement of the spouses.        
• The source of the property.        
• The cause of the divorce.        
• Each spouse’s financial circumstances and rights to any insurance policies.

Disclaimer: The divorce law information provided is for informational purposes only not for legal advice purposes. This information is general in nature. Each jurisdiction has specific code and court procedures. A local divorce attorney is your best source for how divorce is treated in your jurisdiction. Before making any legal decisions we encourage you to consult with a local attorney…do not make decisions based on general state divorce law.