how to get a divorce without a lawyer in michigan

You don't need to hire a lawyer to get an uncontested divorce in Michigan and you can represent yourself during the process. Spouses can try to handle everything themselves or use an online service that eases the process.

Full Answer

Do I need an attorney 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 …

Can I get a divorce in Michigan if I live abroad?

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.

Can I get a divorce without children in Michigan?

Feb 24, 2022 · Six steps to a Michigan divorce. Initiate the divorce process; Notify your spouse; Decide whether to pursue an uncontested divorce or a contested divorce; Decide whether to hire an attorney or not; Resolve the three big issues; Finalize all paperwork; Or you could use an online service to streamline the process

How do I get a military divorce in Michigan?

Getting a divorce in Michigan without a lawyer may seem complex. However, it is one of the opportunities that all couples have. That especially counts when we talk about uncontested divorces. It is always a better option for both partners to make an agreement alone without any third-party involvement. Yet, different forms and papers remain the ...

How much does a divorce cost 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.Apr 26, 2018

Can I file for divorce on my own in Michigan?

It's possible to your own divorce paperwork in Michigan without using an attorney. Filing your own divorce is very feasible if you and your spouse are able to reach an agreement on such issues as division of marital property, child custody, and child support.

How long does it take to get divorce in Michigan?

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.

What is the cheapest way to get divorce in Michigan?

As long as you and your spouse have a certain level of trust and agree to cooperate, an uncontested divorce is the easiest and cheapest way to get a divorce in Michigan.Aug 11, 2021

Can you get divorced without going to court?

It is possible to get divorced without going to court, as long as your partner agrees to the divorce and the reasons why. However, it is still possible that you will need to go to court to decide what happens to money, property and children.Apr 26, 2018

How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree?

Once the papers have been filed with the court, the question, "How long does an uncontested divorce take?" is completely out of the parties' hands. The amount of time it will take to finalize the divorce by having a judge approve and sign the judgment can take anywhere from six weeks to 12 months.

Who pays for a divorce in Michigan?

The filing fee for a divorce with minor children is $255.00. A divorce attorney or party filing the complaint will pay the fee at the time of filing. The filing fees are payable to the circuit court in the county that the divorce papers are filed. A fee waiver is possible if the parties are low-income.May 8, 2021

Is Michigan a 50 50 state in a divorce?

Michigan is an equitable distribution state. This means courts will attempt to divide property and assets in a divorce in a fair and equal way but it doesn't mean that the assets will always be divided on a 50/50 basis. In a divorce, there are marital assets and separate property.

What are the steps for 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...

Can you get a divorce in Michigan without going to court?

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.

Can I file for divorce online Michigan?

In Michigan, a person can represent themselves in any divorce proceeding. If the divorce is uncontested, one can simply file the proper forms online (along with the requisite fee).

How do I get a divorce in Michigan without kids?

Either you or your spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least the last 180 days before filing. 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. Most people file in the county where they live, but you do not have to.

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 relationship between a child and his parents?

The child’s relationship with his or her parents, grandparents, siblings, or any other residents of the household or persons who may significantly affect the child's best interests. The child's attachment to his or her home, school and community. The mental and physical health of the parents and child.

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 much does it cost to serve a spouse?

There will also be a fee to have the paperwork served on your spouse. Depending on the method you choose, this may run about $25 to $50. If you can’t afford to pay the fee, you can request a waiver that will need to be reviewed by the court for possible approval.

Who is Jason Crowley?

Jason Crowley is a divorce financial strategist, personal finance expert, and entrepreneur. Jason is the managing partner of Divorce Capital Planning, co-founder of Divorce Mortgage Advisors, and founder of Survive Divorce. A leading authority in divorce finance, Jason has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and other media outlets.

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.

Can a spouse postpone divorce?

However, when that spouse is in the military, they have certain protections afforded to them by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This allows them to postpone the divorce while they are overseas or otherwise not able to adequately respond to the petition due to military service commitments.

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 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.

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

Also, your spouse or you must have lived in the county for at least around 10 days before you file for divorce.

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.

What are the assets of a spouse?

Your spouse’s and your contribution to the marital assets such as income , being the primary parent , etc. Age of your spouse and you. Physical, emotional and mental health of you and your spouse. The standard of living of both you and your spouse during your marriage. Both your income requirements.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced?

Waiting for 60 or 180 Days. Once you have received a response from your spouse on your petition, you will be required to wait for around 60 to 180 days before the court enters a judgment for your divorce. The waiting period is usually 60 days if your spouse and you do not have children and 180 days if you have children.

What does it mean to have shared custody of a child?

This may mean a shared custody with your spouse or the court may give complete custody to one parent.

Valid Grounds to Get a Divorce

Michigan is the state, which allows dissolving the marriage in the “no-fault” model. In this case, spouses settle the agreement that the marriage can’t continue because of the mutual incompatibility. In other words, they do not get along anymore, and there is no possibility of saving the marriage.

How to Get a Divorce in Michigan

As time goes on, couples sometimes realize that things are not working well in their marriage. The best option in that situation is to move on and decide to dissolve the marriage. If the spouses want to settle the agreement on each other’s interests, they could do it with an uncontested divorce.

Requirements for an Uncontested Divorce in Michigan

An uncontested divorce means that both spouses agree on all the key terms of the divorce.

What if I Have Contested Divorce?

Sometimes couples can not find the best solution for resolving their misunderstanding and issue. In these cases, it is good to find help from a mediator or some family lawyer. However, if there is no possibility to resolve existing problems, the court will handle the case. It is questionable how long will the process of divorce last in those cases.

Michigan Divorce Papers and Forms

Before we start with the procedure about the list of necessary forms you need to fill, it is essential to understand specific terms. The petitioner is the person who files the divorce petition. On the other hand, the person who gets that document is the respondent. The petition for divorce primarily goes to the clerk.

How to File Divorce Papers in Michigan?

The entire process of filing divorce papers will probably seem complex to the petitioner. However, we will try to make it clear to you. Before everything, the petitioner needs to gather all the essential pieces of information. After that, the person needs to decide on the best possible type of divorce process.

How to Serve Divorce Papers in Michigan

You need to serve your documents of filing for the divorce in the right circuit court for your case.

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.

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 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.

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.

What is an annulment in a marriage?

An annulment is a court decision that a marriage did not happen. You can only get an annulment in certain situations. The legal reasons for annulment include bigamy, mental incompetence, age, or relationship of the parties. You can also get an annulment if your spouse used force or fraud to get your agreement to marry.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced if you don't have children?

Waiting Period. If you and your spouse don't have children together, there is a two month waiting period before your divorce can be finished. The waiting period begins when you file your divorce, even if you and your spouse were separated before that.