Michigan divorce timeline (2026)
Michigan's timeline hinges on whether you have minor children. With no children, the 60-day wait sets the floor and many cases finish in two to three months. With children, the six-month wait plus Friend of the Court review usually means six to eight months.
Residency requirement
One spouse must have lived in Michigan 180 days, and in the filing county 10 days
Waiting period
60 days60 days with no minor children; 6 months (180 days) when the couple has minor children.
- 1
Meet residency
180 days in Michigan and 10 days in your filing county.
- 2
File and serve
File the complaint and summons; serve your spouse or get an answer.
- 3
Waiting period
60 days with no minor children, or six months if you have children.
- 4
Friend of the Court review
If children are involved, custody and support are reviewed.
- 5
Judgment of divorce
Submit the signed judgment; the judge enters it to end the marriage.
In short, expect a 60-day waiting period in Michigan, plus your county's scheduling time. Our filing checklist keeps the stages in order.
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