how do you file for divorce in michigan without a lawyer

by Sam Olson 7 min read

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.

Full Answer

How to get a quick divorce in Michigan?

You can obtain a simple divorce in Michigan, called an “uncontested divorce,” which may save you a lot of time and money. This article will explain uncontested divorces in Michigan. Boston Office 617-263-1035 Directions: Raynham Office 508-821-5599 Directions: Andover Office 978-749-0008 8 Directions: Home;

How difficult is it to get a divorce in Michigan?

Jul 08, 2021 · 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 …

How long does it take to get divorced in Michigan?

Oct 06, 2020 · In Alberta, you can file for divorce without a lawyer and even if you decide to self-file it is advisable to consult a lawyer before doing so. … Alberta also has a requirement of residency which means you need to have been a resident in the Province for at least one year before filing for divorce.14 мая 2018 г.

Do you need a lawyer to divorce in Michigan?

Aug 11, 2021 · As long as you meet Michigan’s residency requirements, you can file for divorce in Michigan even if you were married somewhere else. If your spouse lives in another state, you can have them served with papers no matter where they live. The only difference is that they will have a longer time to respond to the Summons and Complaint if they want.

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Can I file for divorce in Michigan without an attorney?

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.

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

$1,200 to $1,500
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.Apr 26, 2018

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.

Can you serve your own divorce papers in Michigan?

You must properly serve these papers on your spouse within 91 days of the date on which you filed for divorce. You can not serve the divorce papers yourself, but your spouse can accept service from you by signing the proof of service on the back of the summons.Jan 9, 2018

Can you divorce without going to court?

An uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse work together to agree on the terms of your divorce. You will both consult with the same attorney, who will be unbiased and impartial. There is no formal trial, and only the plaintiff appears in court.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Michigan?

Every divorce in Michigan has a 60-day waiting period, and a divorce with minor children has a 6-month waiting period.

Can you divorce without a lawyer?

Divorce is of two kinds - Mutual consent divorce and contested divorce. A mutual consented divorce is an easier and faster way you can get a divorce without a lawyer. For obtaining a divorce mutually, both the parties must agree that the divorce should take place, and decided on other relevant factors.

What happens after 60 days of filing for divorce?

A court cannot grant a divorce until 60 days after the suit for divorce was filed and until 20 days after the respondent was properly served. This means a court may grant a divorce on day 61 after a divorce is filed but in reality that rarely happens.

How do I file for divorce in Michigan online?

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

How long does it take to get served divorce papers in Michigan?

If they were personally served, they have 21 days from the date of service. If they were served by mail or outside of Michigan, they have 28 days.Mar 25, 2019

How do I send divorce papers in Michigan?

What Are the Rules for Mailing? Top. The server can mail the papers by registered or certified mail, with service restricted to your spouse and a return receipt requested. This type of service only works if your spouse accepts delivery of the papers and if you have a safe address where the return receipt can be mailed.

What papers do I need to file for divorce?

What Documents do I Need to File for Divorce?
  • Copy of Your ID Document and/or Passport,
  • Proof of Your Income Tax Number (Salary Slips / Tax Return) and.
  • Proof of Your Residential Address.
Jun 1, 2017

How to get divorced in Michigan?

To get divorced in Michigan, you'll need to file a petition for divorce with the county court where you or your partner live. You can get the forms from your local court clerk. Alternatively, use Law Help Interactive, which is a website that will fill out the forms for you.

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

If neither you or your spouse has lived in Michigan for at least 6 months, you will have to get divorced elsewhere, or wait to file until one of you meets the 6 month residency requirement. Additionally, either you or your spouse must have lived in the county where you file divorce for at least 10 days before you file.

What is equitable distribution in Michigan?

“Equitable distribution” means that the court can distribute all property that either spouse or both spouses have, regardless of whose name it is in and when the property was acquired.

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

In most cases, your spouse will have 21 days to respond to your divorce complaint. However, if you served your spouse by mail outside of Michigan, he will have 28 days to respond. Your spouse may file an answer to your petition where your spouse may admit or deny any of the statements that you made in your petition.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced?

Wait for 60 or 180 days. After your spouse has responded to your petition, you must either wait 60 or 180 days before the court will enter a judgment for divorce. The waiting period is 60 days if you and your spouse do not have children. The waiting period is 180 days if you and your spouse do have children.

What is the definition of attachment?

The child's attachment to his or her home, school and community. The mental and physical health of the parents and child. Evidence of domestic violence against the child or against either parent. The criminal history of either parent, and of any person living with one of the parents.

How to file for divorce in Michigan?

Here are several things you should know as you begin the process: 1 Gathering Your Important Information 2 Deciding What Type of Divorce Is Right For You 3 Filling Out the Necessary Forms 4 Filing Your Documents 5 Serving Your Spouse With Divorce Papers 6 FAQs About Filing for Divorce in Michigan

How long do you have to be a resident of Michigan to get divorce?

You must also make sure you meet the residency requirement for a Michigan divorce. You must be a resident of the state for at least 180 days immediately prior to filing. You also have to be a resident in the county where you file for at least 10 days prior to filing as well. Contested divorces or divorces where negotiations must take place ...

What is a complaint for divorce?

Complaint for Divorce. This officially starts the divorce action and includes an overview of your situation, including statistical information, the reason for the divorce, property to be divided and if any child support or alimony is being requested. Summons. When you file your paperwork, it must also be served on your spouse.

How long do you have to serve a summons?

You have 91 days from the date you filed to make sure this task is properly carried out.

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

When you file for divorce, you are required to pay a filing fee of $175 and an $80 judgment fee. You must also pay a fee to have your spouse served as well. This may run anywhere from $25-$50 or more based on the method you use.

Is online divorce legal?

Online divorce isn’t right for everyone. It only works if you have an uncontested divorce (you and your spouse are able to reach agreements without going to court). If you have a dispute over child custody or particularly complicated finances, you should consult with a lawyer.

How long does it take for a divorce to be granted?

When children are a part of the proceedings, a divorce cannot be granted until a minimum six months have passed. Keep in mind that there are often delays due to forms being filed the wrong way or if there are disagreements regarding any part of the divorce process.

Can I file for divorce in Michigan without a lawyer?

The decision to get a divorce is never easy, as anyone who has gone through the process can tell you. Fortunately, actually getting divorced in Michigan is fairly straightforward and may be able to be completed without a lawyer – as long as you meet the necessary criteria for an uncontested divorce.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Michigan without a lawyer?

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.

Is it possible to get a divorce without an attorney?

In Alberta, you can file for divorce without a lawyer and even if you decide to self-file it is advisable to consult a lawyer before doing so. … Alberta also has a requirement of residency which means you need to have been a resident in the Province for at least one year before filing for divorce.14 мая 2018 г.

Do you have to go to court for a divorce in Michigan?

You will have to go to court at least once. In order to enter a Judgment of Divorce, a judge must take evidence on the record in the form of the testimony of the parties that satisfies the judge that the objects of matrimony are destroyed. … Anytime there is a court date scheduled for your case, you should attend.

How can I get a quick divorce in Michigan?

To file for divorce in Michigan you need to follow the following steps:

How long does divorce take in Michigan?

The average timeline for most divorces in Michigan is about 60 days or two months. However, that estimation is dependent on a variety of factors. A more feasible estimate is between two and nine months.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Michigan?

From a legal perspective, it generally does not matter who files for divorce first. However, it can. … Filing first creates an opportunity to present the court with various orders before your spouse is notified of the Michigan divorce proceedings. The orders are called Ex Parte, which means literally, “on one side only”.

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.

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse agree on all the issues of a divorce. This includes potentially contentious things like child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, a division of assets and debts, tax issues, and any other issue involving your marriage.

Do you have to attend a divorce hearing?

In a default, if you agree with all the terms as a defendant, you can sign the Judgment, and the judge will enter it by consent, meaning you don’t have to attend the hearing.

What happens at the final divorce hearing?

At the final hearing, the judge will have some brief questions about the terms of your settlement. If the settlement is fair and just, the judge will sign and issue the final divorce decree. Read More: How to Prepare for a Divorce Hearing.

Can a spouse give a copy of a court order?

Your spouse must officially receive a copy of the paperwork. You can’t simply give this information to your spouse, who is now considered the defendant. You must hire another person to deliver the paperwork. This is usually done through a process server or a sheriff’s deputy.

How long does it take to respond to a complaint from a spouse?

A spouse has the right to file a response to the complaint within 21 days (28 days if served by mail), explaining what parts of the complaint they disagree with. If a spouse agrees with everything in a complaint or has signed a waiver, no response is required.

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.

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.

Raymond J. Pater

You can divorce without an attorney. You can treat serious diseases without a doctor. The question should be, "Is it advisable to divorce after 28 years without the assistance of an attorney?" The answer in most cases would be no. Your total divorce attorneys fees may likely be less than $2,000 if the divorce is not too contentious.

Lisa Taylor

You may want to consider mediating your divorce instead of litigating it. I still advise, as have the other attorneys here, that you each have an attorney as a consultant, which is less costly than hiring an attorney for litigation, but an attorney is not required; it is your choice.

Peter L. Conway

I agree with the other lawyers who have answered this question. You should meet with a lawyer and discuss the financial situation and how a court would likely divide up the marital estate.#N#Then, if you want, you can negotiate with your wife and prepare documents on your own. You may want to explore michiganlegalhelp.org.

Henry S. Gornbein

Hi, You definitely do not have to retain an attorney to get a divorce in Michigan. Even if you represent yourself my advice is that you talk to an attorney before you do anything to find out exactly what your legal rights are. Good luck to you.#N#Henry Gornbein

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.”.

Do you have to prove anything to get divorce in Michigan?

You Do Not Have to “Prove” Anything to Get a Divorce. 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.

How to determine if you need spousal support?

If you or your spouse asks for spousal support and you can't reach an agreement, the judge will also decide this issue. Spousal support is not always awarded. When it is awarded, it can be temporary or permanent. When deciding whether to award spousal support, the judge will consider these factors: 1 The length of your marriage (spousal support more likely in a long marriage) 2 Your conduct during the marriage 3 Your ability to work 4 The source and amount of property you are getting in the divorce 5 Your age 6 Ability to pay spousal support 7 Your needs and your current living situation 8 Your health 9 Your standard of living during the marriage 10 Whether you are responsible to pay for the support of others 11 Contributions to the marital estate 12 If you live with someone else, the effect it has on your financial status 13 Fairness

How to do it yourself divorce?

If you use the Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool, you will have the forms to take you through your entire divorce. Your divorce might be resolved in one of these ways: 1 By default judgment, if your spouse does not file an answer or participate in the case 2 By negotiated judgment, where you and your spouse decide the terms together 3 By mediated agreement, where you and your spouse meet with a mediator and decide the terms 4 By trial, where the judge makes a decision because you and your spouse can’t reach an agreement

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

You must file your divorce in circuit court in the county where either you or your spouse has lived for at least ten days before filing.

Does Michigan have no fault divorce laws?

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. You don 't need to have a legal separation or even be living apart to file ...

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.

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