Divorce in Michigan

1. Waiting period

   60 days (6 months with minor children)

   No proofs or testimony may be taken in a Michigan divorce until 60 days after the complaint is filed, or 6 months when there are dependent minor children under 18; in cases of unusual hardship the court may take testimony any time after 60 days.^[1]

   MCL 552.9f · checked October 26, 2026

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   “No proofs or testimony shall be taken in any case for divorce until the expiration of 60 days from the time of filing the bill of complaint, except where the cause for divorce is desertion, or when the testimony is taken conditionally for the purpose of perpetuating such testimony. In every case where there are dependent minor children under the age of 18 years, no proofs or testimony shall be taken in such cases for divorce until the expiration of 6 months from the day the bill of complaint is filed.”

2. Residency requirement

   180 days (and 10 days in the county)

   Either spouse must have lived in Michigan for the 180 days before filing and, with a narrow exception, in the filing county for the 10 days before filing.^[2]

   MCL 552.9(1) · checked October 26, 2026

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   “A judgment of divorce shall not be granted by a court in this state in an action for divorce unless the complainant or defendant has resided in this state for 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), the complainant or defendant has resided in the county in which the complaint is filed for 10 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint.”

3. No-fault divorce

   Yes, no-fault only

   The only ground for divorce in Michigan is a breakdown of the marriage relationship so that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there is no reasonable likelihood the marriage can be preserved.^[3]

   MCL 552.6(1) · checked October 26, 2026

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   “A complaint for divorce may be filed in the circuit court upon the allegation 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.”

4. Property division

   Equitable distribution

   On divorce the court may restore to either spouse all or such parts of the property that came to either by reason of the marriage as it deems just and reasonable, or award its value in money.^[4]

   Community property in Michigan: the statute quoted →

   MCL 552.19; see also MCL 552.23(1) · checked October 26, 2026

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   “the court may make a further judgment for restoring to either party the whole, or such parts as it shall deem just and reasonable, of the real and personal estate that shall have come to either party by reason of the marriage, or for awarding to either party the value thereof, to be paid by either party in money.”

5. Court mediation for custody

   Court may order

   In Friend of the Court cases the office must offer alternative dispute resolution, including a mediation option, to help parents voluntarily settle custody or parenting-time disputes, and a party may be ordered to meet with the ADR provider; screening for domestic violence is required.^[5]

   MCL 552.513(1), (3) · checked October 26, 2026

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   “In a friend of the court case, the office shall provide, either directly or by contract, alternative dispute resolution to assist the parties in settling voluntarily a dispute concerning child custody or parenting time.”

   “A party may be required by court order to meet with a person conducting alternative dispute resolution.”

6. Filing fee

   Not yet verified

   Start with this official source.

7. Alimony

   Court decides from listed factors

   Michigan courts may award spousal support, in gross or otherwise, when the property awarded is insufficient for a party’s suitable support, as the court considers just and reasonable after weighing each party’s ability to pay, their character and situation, and all other circumstances. The statute sets no formula, cap or duration limit.

   Alimony in Michigan, with the statute quoted →

8. Divorce rate

   2.2 per 1,000 residents (2024)

   Michigan’s courts granted 2.2 divorces per 1,000 residents in 2024, down from 3.9 in 2000; the U.S. rate was 2.3. In the Census Bureau’s 2024 survey, 5.8 of every 1,000 women 15 and older in Michigan divorced in the past year (±0.6; U.S. 6.9), a different measure.^[7][8]

   Divorce rates by state, with sources → · CDC/NCHS NVSS; Census ACS · checked October 27, 2026

Estimate your divorce cost in Michigan: mediation vs. court →

How child support is calculated in Michigan →

Mediators per 100,000: MediationList listings from official court and government rosters in Michigan (475) ÷ population (10,140,459, U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 county population estimates (July 1, 2024)) × 100,000, the same figure as mediator statistics.^[6]