how do i get a divorce without a lawyer michigan

You probably don't need a lawyer to get an uncontested divorce in Michigan. You can handle all the paperwork and filing yourself, or you can use an online service to ease the process.

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What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

 · Here are the steps you’ll need to follow in an uncontested divorce in Michigan: Meet Residency Requirements Before you can file for divorce in Michigan, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least 180 days. Also, one spouse must have lived in the county where the divorce papers are filed for at least ten days.

Do it yourself divorce in Michigan?

Online Divorce in Michigan 100% Court Approval Guarantee Best price $139 File for a divorce without an attorney in the State of Michigan. Avoid the tiresome procedure of searching for the correct divorce forms. With our Online Michigan Divorce service, you can relax and get your paperwork prepared online fast and hassle-free.

How do you file for divorce in Michigan?

Find Legal and Financial Help Here. Use this tool to prepare the forms to file for divorce in Michigan. You will go to the LawHelp Interactive website to do this. After you answer the questions, your finished forms and instructions will be ready to print. Before you begin, read Preparing for the Do-It-Yourself Divorce to be sure you have gathered all the information you …

Do it yourself divorce mi?

 · It is possible to go through a divorce without hiring a lawyer, but without the assistance of a professional, there is no guarantee your needs will be protected. There are a number of legal aid agencies who provide tools to help you build your case without hiring an …

Can I file for divorce without a lawyer in Michigan?

It is possible to get a divorce in Michigan without using a lawyer as long as you meet all requirements for an uncontested divorce. You and your spouse must agree on all parts of the settlement, including asset division, alimony, child custody and support and all other related matters.

How much does a divorce cost in Michigan without a lawyer?

An uncontested divorce can cost anywhere from $800 to about $1500 for an uncontested divorce in Michigan. The cost of your uncontested divorce can depend on several factors: the complexity of the agreement between you and your spouse.

How do I file for divorce in Michigan for free?

If you can't afford to pay the filing fees, you may ask the judge to waive the fees by filing a Fee Waiver Request. You can fill out the form yourself or use Michigan Legal Help's interactive tool to help you complete it. If the court grants your request, you won't have to pay any court costs during your divorce.

How much does a do it yourself divorce cost in Michigan?

How much Does it Cost to Get a Divorce in Michigan? In Michigan, the average cost for a non-contested divorce can range from $1,200 to $1,500 with court filing fees and other legal documents. If your divorce is contested the costs can dramatically increase with a base price starting at $5,000.

Who pays for divorce in Michigan?

The Michigan Compiled Laws Section 552.13(1) statute requires you to pay your spouse's attorney fees.

How long does Michigan divorce take?

60 days to nine monthsTypically, most divorces in Michigan take 60 days to nine months, without children. On the other hand, when children are involved it typically takes between six months and a year to reach a settlement.

Can I file for divorce online in Michigan?

For those seeking an inexpensive divorce in the state of Michigan, online divorce is an easy, affordable and fast solution. Online divorce may be appropriate for couples who have an uncontested case. The step-by-step process of preparing divorce documents at Onlinedivorce.com makes it easy for you.

What are the steps to divorce in Michigan?

10 Steps of the Michigan Divorce ProcessDetermine Eligibility to File for a Divorce. ... File a Complaint. ... Answer Complaint. ... A Temporary Order is Issued. ... The Discovery Phase Begins. ... Begin Negotiations. ... Mediation. ... Appearing in Court.More items...

How do I file for divorce in Michigan online?

Online Divorce Without a Lawyer in MichiganTake our simple questionnaire.Divorce forms are custom generated for you to print out, or we will mail them to you.File the documents with your local court clerk.The judge will complete your divorce by reviewing the divorce agreement and signing the Judgement.

How do I obtain divorce papers in Michigan?

Divorce certificates are not available until at least 90 days after the event occurred. For additional information, please contact Michigan Vital Records directly at (517)335-8666. Who Can Order? Anyone is eligible to request certified copies of Michigan divorce records.

What does uncontested divorce mean?

An uncontested divorce is one where both parties agree to the grounds for divorce. An uncontested divorce is a relatively quick and cost-effective way of divorcing. From lodging the divorce petition with the court until receipt of your decree absolute, an uncontested divorce takes about four to five months.

Is Michigan a no fault divorce state?

Michigan has “no-fault” divorce. No-fault means you don't have to prove cheating, abandonment, cruelty, or anything else to get a divorce. Your spouse doesn't have to agree to give you a divorce. You can get a divorce even if you did something that made your marriage end.

What happens if my spouse doesn't have a divorce attorney?

To the extent that your spouse’s interests conflict with yours, that attorney is ethically obligated to do what is best for your spouse.

What are the most contentious issues in divorce?

Conflicts over child support, custody, and parenting time are among the most contentious in any divorce. You love your kids. You want them to be well cared for and you want them to spend lots of time with you. Chances are, so does your spouse, and chances are also that the two of you disagree about what’s best for those kids you love so much. Having an attorney’s representation increases the likelihood that you’ll pay or receive an appropriate amount of child support, and that custody and parenting time arrangements will be favorable to you. Once these issues are decided, with or without you being represented, they are difficult and expensive to change later.

Is divorce stressful?

Divorce is stressful under the best of circumstances.

Is spousal support mandatory in Michigan?

Alimony, now called spousal support in Michigan, is not mandatory, but it is increasingly common. Unlike child support, alimony is not based on statutory guidelines. Couples agree to it, or the judge orders it in his or her discretion. There are many factors, such as length of marriage and health of the parties, that can affect whether spousal support is awarded.

Can you go back in a divorce?

Once property and debt are divided in a divorce, it’s nearly impossible to go back and change that division, and expensive to try. Having an attorney means you’re more likely to get what’s fair the first time.

Is it better to divorce without an attorney?

You may save initially on attorney fees by not hiring a lawyer, but if your divorce goes poorly you may find yourself paying an attorney more down the road to fix the problems, and you may not be able to get as favorable an outcome as if you’d just hired a divorce attorney to start with.

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?

This is a question I hear a lot when people learn what I do for a living. My response is often something along the lines of, “No, you don’t need a lawyer to get a divorce. You also don’t need to have a dentist to get your tooth pulled, but it’s usually a lot less painful if you do.”

How long does it take to get divorce in Michigan?

At a minimum, it will take at least three months for an uncontested divorce in Michigan. This assumes one spouse files paperwork and has paperwork served, which starts the 20-day response period, and there are no children in the marriage, triggering a two-month waiting period.

How long do you have to live in Michigan to file for divorce?

Before you can file for divorce in Michigan, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least 180 days. Also, one spouse must have lived in the county where the divorce papers are filed for at least ten days. In rare circumstances, you may be able to have the 10-day county residence requirement waived when you meet specific requirements.

Can you move to another state after filing for divorce in Michigan?

After you file for divorce in Michigan, your case will remain active, even if you decide to move to another state or country.

What is the fault in a divorce?

Fault can play a role in a court determining some elements of a divorce, such as child custody, a division of assets, and alimony. However, in an uncontested divorce, you work these elements out ahead of time, so they should not be a problem going forward.

Is Michigan a no fault state?

Michigan is a no-fault state. This means you do not need to cite any specific reasons for a divorce other than a breakdown in the marriage, and there is no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Oakland County?

Exact costs may vary by county. For example, to file for a divorce in Oakland County or Wayne County, the fee for a divorce with no minor children is $175. With minor children, the fee is $255. Check with the court where you’re going to file if you want an exact cost.

What to do if you are not in default?

If you are not in default, you can file a motion asking the judge to waive part of the waiting period. You’ll need to file a Notice of Hearing and Motion and an Order. This waiting period begins when your spouse files the divorce, even if you and your spouse were separated before that time.

How to give your spouse notice of divorce in Michigan?

To give your spouse “notice” of your divorce, you need to “serve” a copy of the documents on them. In Michigan, the papers can be served by using one of the following methods: The sheriff’s deputy or a police officer personally serve your spouse. Use a process server to serve your spouse personally.

What happens when a divorce is filed in Michigan?

Equitable distribution of the property essentially means that the court will distribute all the property that you or your spouse or both of you have , irrespective of when the property was bought or in whose name it is in. The court will consider the following when deciding on how to divide the property:

How to send a copy of my marriage certificate?

Send a copy of all the documents to your spouse via certified mail with a return receipt.

How was marital property divided during divorce?

How the marital property was divided during the divorce. The financial requirements of the requesting spouse. The health of both you and your spouse. The standard of living of you and your spouse. If you or your spouse is responsible for the support of the other.

How long does it take to respond to a divorce in Michigan?

Wait for Your Spouse’s Response. Once your spouse receives the documents, he/she must file a response within 21 days. However, if you have served your spouse outside of Michigan by mail, then he/she has 28 days to file a response.

Does Michigan have an interactive interview?

If you are representing yourself, Michigan offers an interactive interview, wherein you need to answer questions that you will be asked online and on the basis of your answers, a form with all the details will be generated, which you can file. However, before you complete the interview program, you will require to have all your information ready.

Can you get alimony in Michigan?

Deciding the Alimony. In Michigan, it not common for the judge to grant any spousal support or alimony to either of the spouses. However, you can decide with your spouse if any party should get alimony after the divorce.

Is Michigan divorce court approved?

All the forms provided by OnlineMichiganDivorce.com are ready to sign, and 100% court-approved within the state of Michigan. We are happy to support you in dealing with one of the most complicated stages of an uncontested divorce and to ensure the divorce process will be affordable and straightforward for you.

Does an uncontested divorce involve court litigation?

When it comes to an uncontested divorce, which does not involve court litigation, the main difficulty is the paperwork. But why overpay for a lawyer if you do not need legal help in the trial? Entrust OnlineMichiganDivorce.com with the preparation of your divorce documents, and you will be able to file them with the court in just a couple of days.

How much does a divorce cost in Michigan?

In Michigan, the average cost for a non-contested divorce can range from $1,200 to $1,500 with court filing fees and other legal documents. If your divorce is contested the costs can dramatically increase with a base price starting at $5,000. Other complications that may increase the cost of your divorce include the division ...

How long does it take to get divorced?

However, if you have children involved it can take a minimum of six months from the date of filing.

What is the process of mediation?

The process of mediation allows the two of you to go before a neutral third party, a trained mediator, to have them negotiate an agreement. During the process, the two of you will be able to have open communication regarding your wants related to any disputed topics.

Do you have to pay for a divorce if you withdraw?

However, the costs you will be required to pay should be relatively minimal compared to if you went through with the divorce.

What is the best alternative to going to court?

One of the best alternatives to going to court is to enter into Divorce Mediation. Unlike having a trial in court, when a couple goes through mediation their case is handled by a neutral third-party who will work with both spouses to reach an agreement.

Can a divorce be uncontested?

If your divorce is uncontested the process may move fairly smoothly without having to go to court. Often times these couples can have a written agreement reached between their attorneys. However, in many cases, there are some areas a couple may not be able to agree on regarding the divorce.

What are the complications of divorce?

Other complications that may increase the cost of your divorce include the division of a business or other property along with disagreements over custody and spousal and/or child support. All of these complications will require your attorney to spend more time on your case increasing your overall costs.

How long does it take to get divorced in Michigan?

The length of your divorce will depend greatly on how contested the issues in your divorce are. Every divorce in Michigan has a 60-day waiting period , and a divorce with minor children has a 6-month waiting period.

How long do you have to live in Michigan to get divorced?

To get divorced in the state of Michigan, either you or your spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least six months prior to filing. You must also have lived in the county where you or your spouse file for at least 10 days prior to filing.

Is divorce complicated?

Yes. It’s that simple. Divorce laws and courtroom procedures are complicated. Knowing your rights and getting it done right the first time is priceless.

Does Michigan recognize common law marriages?

Michigan does not recognize new common law marriages. However, Michigan does recognize common law marriages entered into in Michigan before Jan. 1, 1957. Michigan will also recognize common law marriages legally consummated in a state that does recognize common law marriage.

Does Michigan require a divorce to be finalized?

Michigan does not require fault to be proven for a divorce to be finalized. Because fault is relevant for property division and spousal support, it should be proven with objective evidence. Photos, e-mails, and live witnesses are some of the best ways to prove that one party is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage.

How long does it take to serve a plaintiff in Michigan?

The plaintiff must meet Michigan’s residency requirements (180 days in the state and 10 days in the county), and properly serve the other party under the service requirements in the Michigan Court Rules.

Can a service member file for divorce in Michigan?

If the service member does consent to the filing of the divorce proceedings, they can submit an Affidavit of Waiver of SMSRA Rights to the court to allow the divorce to proceed. A person who resides outside the state of Michigan can be summoned to a Michigan court for a divorce.

What do you need to know about divorce in Michigan?

Everything You Need To Know About Michigan Divorces. There are few experiences more stressful, emotional and challenging than a divorce. This is especially true when a divorce involves legal issues such custodial disputes, significant assets and possibly even domestic abuse/violence. Because of the gravity of these issues and ...

How long do you have to be married to get divorce in Michigan?

However, in order to begin filing for divorce, there are three legal requirements that must be fulfilled: Both spouses must have lived and been together in Michigan for at least 6 months.

What is contested divorce?

Contested Divorce – When there’s a legal disagreement between spouses regarding a divorce such as one party refusing to cooperate with the proceeding or objecting to a specific aspect, both parties may have to argue their case before a judge. In this case, the divorce becomes “contested.”.

Can you appeal a divorce in Michigan?

Yes. In Michigan, this can be done by requesting relief from the divorce judgement. This is accomplished by moving for a new trial/rehearing, amendment or correction of the judgement or a clarification. These motions must be brought forward within a year of the original divorce judgement.

What is the standard of custody in Michigan?

In Michigan, the standard of child custody is known as “best interest of the child. ”. In other words, one parent cannot receive biological preference as the sole determining factor of custody. You can read more about this standard here.

Can you divorce without child custody?

It’s fairly uncommon to discuss the topic of divorce without also discussing child custody. This is an ever developing legal issue especially for unmarried couples and same-sex marriages. All in all, issues involving child custody can be highly emotional and are often the cause for disputes and legal battles between couples. These issues can lead to what’s known as a “nasty divorce.” This section gives an overview of Michigan child custody laws.

What is the purpose of discovery in Michigan?

Discovery methods are also useful in identifying the nature and value of real and personal property, and making determinations and persuasive arguments in relation to the status of separate property or marital property.

How to get divorce in Michigan?

To get a divorce in Michigan, at least one spouse must testify 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.”.

What happens when you get divorced in Michigan?

When you get a divorce, the judge will end your marriage and the legal benefits that come with it. Because of Michigan’s no-fault law, you will not have to give a reason for the breakdown of the marriage.

Why do you file a separate maintenance case?

You might file a separate maintenance case because you have a religious objection to divorce or want to stay married for other reasons.

Is separation of property a divorce?

Separate maintenance is sometimes called legal separation. It is similar to divorce, but you are still married at the end of the case. Marital property and debt and will be divided, and spousal support may be awarded. If you file a complaint for separate maintenance and your spouse files a counterclaim for divorce, the judge must consider the case a divorce.

Do you have to prove fault for divorce?

Although you don’t have to prove fault to get a divorce, a spouse’s behavior during the marriage can impact the outcomes of your divorce. The judge can consider fault in making decisions about spousal support (alimony) and dividing property.

How to find a lawyer in Michigan?

Go to the State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Search page. Enter the type of lawyer you need ( divorce, bankruptcy, etc.) and your city or county, and click "Find a Lawyer." Then scroll down to the box on the left side that says "Don't see the filter you need? Type in your own words" and type “limited scope ;” or

What is marital property in Michigan?

Marital property may include real estate, pensions, insurance, retirement accounts, and investment accounts, among other kinds of property. If you and your spouse don’t agree on how to divide your property and debt, the judge will decide. Michigan law says marital property and debt must be divided fairly.