Filing For Divorce in Michigan is Easy, Settling it is Complex

If you're considering filing for divorce, then there's no one-size-fits-all set of requirements that you must meet in order to do so across every single jurisdiction in the United States. There are some standard guidelines you should meet to file for divorce in Michigan though under MCLA 552.1, et seq.

First, at least one of the two of you must have been residing in the state for at least 180 days before you file. It's important that one of you has been living in the county where you submit your petition for divorce for at least 10 days prior to filing as well. There are limited exceptions to these rules.

While some jurisdictions may require you to provide them with a reason that you are pursuing a divorce, such as infidelity, fraud or something else, that's unnecessary in Michigan. As a "no fault" state, it's assumed that your marriage suffered some sort of "irretrievable breakdown" that led you to file for a divorce. This essentially means that your issues have no chance of being resolved.

If you think that there is a chance of reconciliation, then you may wish to pursue a legal separation. By doing so, you'll be protected from many debts that your estranged spouse may accumulate while discord exists between the two of you. By filing for legal separation, you'll be able to work out a temporary plan for housing, child custody and other matters as well.

Michigan also allows for marriages to be annulled in certain situations.

A decision regarding whether and when to file for legal separation or divorce is not one that should be rushed into. By having an Ann Arbor divorce attorney who's concerned with protecting you as your family changes on your side, you'll be better able to weigh the pros and cons of making certain decisions.