Divorce by state · Michigan

Uncontested divorce in Michigan (2026)

Michigan is a no-fault state: the only thing you allege is that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved.

Michigan quick facts

Filing court: Circuit Court, Family Division
Residency: One spouse must have lived in Michigan 180 days, and in the filing county 10 days
Waiting period: 60 days
Grounds: No-fault: there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship
Court filing fee: $175
Fee waiver: Available

Verified against courts.michigan.gov on Jul 19, 2026

Michigan is a no-fault state: the only thing you allege is that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship with no reasonable likelihood it can be preserved. Cases are filed in the circuit court's family division for your county, and the process for an agreeing couple is straightforward once you clear residency, one spouse living in Michigan for 180 days and in the filing county for at least 10.

The rule that surprises people is Michigan's two-tier waiting period. If you have no minor children, the court cannot finalize for 60 days after filing. If you do have minor children, that jumps to six months, though a judge can shorten the longer wait in limited circumstances. Otherwise an uncontested Michigan divorce is a matter of filing the complaint and summons, serving your spouse or having them file an answer, and submitting a judgment of divorce that divides property fairly, since Michigan follows equitable distribution.

County note. Michigan's circuit courts are county-run and the Friend of the Court office gets involved whenever minor children are part of a case, adding custody, parenting-time, and support review. Counties like Wayne, Oakland, and Kent have their own local forms and procedures, so check before filing.

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Michigan questions people actually ask

How long is the waiting period in Michigan?

Sixty days if you have no minor children, and six months if you do. The clock runs from the filing date. A judge can sometimes shorten the six-month wait, but the 60-day minimum generally holds.

What is the Friend of the Court?

It's a county office that handles custody, parenting-time, and child-support matters. When your case involves minor children, the Friend of the Court reviews the arrangements, which adds steps even in an agreed divorce.

Do I have to prove fault?

No. Michigan is purely no-fault. You state that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable likelihood of repair; you do not allege or prove wrongdoing by either spouse.

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