How to File for Divorce in Michigan Without a Lawyer (2026)

Michigan divorce is more procedurally straightforward than many states — but it has two requirements that catch many self-represented filers off guard:

You need a corroborating witness. Michigan requires someone (a friend, family member, neighbor) to appear at your final divorce hearing — or submit an affidavit — to confirm that your marriage has broken down. You cannot finalize a Michigan divorce with only your own testimony. Line up your witness before you file.

The wait period doubles if you have minor children. Without minor children: 60-day mandatory wait after filing. With minor children: 180-day mandatory wait (6 months). Courts can waive the 180-day wait in limited circumstances, but rarely do.

Plan your timeline around these two requirements from the start.

Disclaimer: This is general legal information, not legal advice. Michigan divorce law is manageable without an attorney in straightforward cases, but complex property, custody disputes, or domestic violence situations benefit from professional guidance. Consult a licensed Michigan family law attorney if you have questions.

Michigan Divorce Basics

The One Ground: Breakdown of Marriage

Michigan is a pure no-fault state. The only ground for divorce is 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."

You do not need to prove fault, allege abuse, or show a period of separation. You simply state — and your corroborating witness confirms — that the marriage has broken down. Your spouse cannot oppose the divorce on the grounds that the marriage can be saved.

Step-by-Step: Michigan Divorce

Step 1 — Confirm Residency

• You have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days, AND
• You have lived in the county where you plan to file for at least 10 days

If your spouse still lives in Michigan in a different county, you can file in either county (as long as you meet the county residency requirement for your county).

Step 2 — Line Up Your Corroborating Witness

Before you do anything else, identify the person who will be your corroborating witness. This is someone (not a party to the divorce) who can testify that:

• Your marriage has broken down, OR
• You and your spouse have been living separately, OR
• They have personal knowledge of the circumstances establishing the breakdown

Contact this person now. Explain what is involved. Confirm their availability. You will need them at the final hearing or they will need to sign a sworn affidavit (check your county's practice).

Step 3 — Choose the Right Forms

Michigan courts use standardized SCAO (State Court Administrative Office) forms, available free at courts.michigan.gov.

Without minor children:

• DC 100a — Complaint for Divorce (no minor children)
• DC 100 — Summons (issued by the Clerk)

With minor children:

• DC 100c — Complaint for Divorce (with minor children)
• DC 100 — Summons
• Additional Friend of the Court (FOC) forms (see Forms page)

Complete the Complaint carefully. If you want to restore a former name, include the request in the Complaint.

Step 4 — File at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office

Take your completed Complaint to the Circuit Court Clerk's office in your county. Pay the filing fee ($175–$250 depending on county). The Clerk stamps and files the Complaint and issues a Summons.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, request a fee waiver form at the Clerk's office.

Step 5 — Serve Your Spouse

Your spouse (the Defendant) must be formally served with the Complaint and Summons before proceedings can move forward.

Service options:

• Process server or sheriff: Most reliable. The server delivers the papers in person.
• Certified mail with return receipt: Mail to the Defendant's address; signed return receipt = proof of service.
• Acknowledgment of Service: If your spouse is cooperative, they can sign an Acknowledgment of Service form waiving formal service.
• Substituted or publication service: For a spouse who cannot be located (requires court permission).

File the proof of service with the Clerk.

Step 6 — Wait for Your Spouse to Respond

Your spouse has 21 days to file an Answer after being served in Michigan (28 days if served outside Michigan). If they don't respond, you can proceed to default.

In an agreed divorce, both parties typically file a Consent Judgment of Divorce or submit a Stipulation — the terms are negotiated and written up, and the judge approves them at the final hearing.

Step 7 — Mandatory Wait Period

Regardless of how fast the paperwork moves:

• No minor children: You cannot finalize the divorce until 60 days after the Complaint was filed
• With minor children: You cannot finalize until 180 days after the Complaint was filed

The clock starts on the filing date, not the service date or hearing scheduling date.

Courts can waive the 180-day period "for good cause shown" — but in practice, waivers are rare and courts apply a high standard.

Step 8 — The Final Hearing

Schedule a final hearing with the court (some counties do this automatically; others require you to request it). At the hearing:

1. You testify under oath: your name, residency, that the marriage has broken down beyond repair
2. Your corroborating witness testifies (or an affidavit is submitted, depending on county practice): they confirm they have personal knowledge that the marriage has broken down
3. The judge reviews and approves your Judgment of Divorce (and Settlement Agreement, if applicable)
4. The judge signs the Judgment of Divorce

Once the judge signs the Judgment, your divorce is final.

Step 9 — Certified Copies and Implementation

• Request 3–5 certified copies of the Judgment from the Clerk (needed for name change, retirement accounts, deed transfers, etc.)
• If you're restoring a former name: take a certified copy to the Social Security Administration, then the Michigan Secretary of State (for driver's license/ID), then update accounts and records
• Transfer vehicle titles (Michigan Secretary of State)
• Record deed transfers with the county Register of Deeds
• Process QDRO for retirement accounts

The Friend of the Court (FOC)

If you have minor children, the Friend of the Court (FOC) is automatically part of your divorce proceedings. The FOC is an arm of the Circuit Court established by Michigan law (MCL 552.501 et seq.) to oversee child support, custody, and parenting time.

What the FOC does:

• Reviews proposed custody and support arrangements
• Can conduct investigations and make recommendations if parents can't agree
• Calculates and oversees child support using the Michigan Child Support Formula
• Enforces support orders after the divorce
• Handles post-divorce support and parenting time modifications

You pay a FOC service fee at filing (check your county — typically $80–$150 in addition to the divorce filing fee).

See the With Children page for full FOC details.

Property Division

Michigan divides marital property equitably — fairly, not necessarily equally. Each spouse keeps their separate property (owned before marriage, inherited, or gifted). Marital property acquired during the marriage is divided based on a range of equitable factors.

Property is typically resolved in a Settlement Agreement (sometimes called a Marital Settlement Agreement or MSA) signed by both spouses. The judge reviews and incorporates it into the Judgment of Divorce.

Cost Summary

Free Resources

• Michigan Courts divorce forms: courts.michigan.gov (search "divorce forms")
• Michigan Legal Help: michiganlegalhelp.org — free step-by-step guides and form instructions
• Legal Aid of Michigan: legalaid.mich.gov — free legal help for income-qualified residents
• Michigan Bar lawyer referral: michbar.org/referral

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for divorce in Michigan if my spouse lives in another state? Yes, as long as you have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in your county for 10 days.

Does Michigan require a reason for divorce? No. Michigan is no-fault. The only ground is "breakdown of the marriage relationship." You don't have to prove fault, infidelity, or any specific cause.

What if my spouse refuses to cooperate? Michigan divorce does not require your spouse's agreement. If they don't file an Answer, you proceed to default. Their non-participation does not prevent the divorce from being granted.

Can the waiting period be waived? The 60-day wait is almost never waived. The 180-day wait (with children) can be waived "for good cause shown" under MCL 552.9f, but courts apply a high standard and waivers are uncommon.

What if I can't find a corroborating witness? Almost any adult who knows you — a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member — can serve as a corroborating witness. The person does not need to know all the details of your marriage; they just need to be able to testify that they know you or your spouse and that from what they've observed, the marriage has broken down.

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Michigan divorce forms: courts.michigan.gov | Free help: michiganlegalhelp.org

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.