Were you served, or are you filing, in Michigan? Learn the fee, wait and residency rule.
Michigan Divorce: Filing Fee, Waiting Period, Residency
Michigan in short
Michigan's divorce filing fee is $150 (plus $80 with minor children). (legislature.mi.gov) Michigan's waiting period: 60 days (6 months with minor children). (legislature.mi.gov) Michigan's residency rule: complainant or defendant resided in Michigan 180 days immediately before filing and in the county 10 days (MCL 552.9). (legislature.mi.gov) Michigan divides marital property by equitable distribution. (irs.gov) Michigan's alimony rule: no; discretionary (MCL 552.23). (recordinglaw.com)
Checked October 14, 2026
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Uncontested divorce in Michigan
- Court filing fee
The petition filing fee in Michigan is $150 (plus $80 with minor children).
How this was read
Source note: MCL 600.2529(1)(a) civil filing fee $150; (1)(d) adds $80 when custody or parenting time is determined; FindLaw lists $175 without and $255 with minor children (Wayne County), which include other fees.
Source: legislature.mi.gov
- Residency before filing
Complainant or defendant resided in Michigan 180 days immediately before filing and in the county 10 days (MCL 552.9).
Source: legislature.mi.gov
- Waiting period
The waiting period in Michigan is 60 days, the period without minor children.
How this was read
No proofs or testimony until 60 days after the complaint is filed; 6 months when there are minor children under 18; court may shorten for unusual hardship or compelling necessity (MCL 552.9f).
Source: legislature.mi.gov
Michigan divorce rules at a glance
| Rule | Michigan | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $150 (plus $80 with minor children) | legislature.mi.gov |
| Separation required | No | national chart |
| Residency | Complainant or defendant resided in Michigan 180 days immediately before filing and in the county 10 days (MCL 552.9) | legislature.mi.gov |
| Property regime | Equitable distribution | irs.gov |
| Waiting period | 60 days (6 months with minor children) | legislature.mi.gov |
| Child support model | Income shares | ncsl.org |
| Alimony rule | No; discretionary (MCL 552.23) | recordinglaw.com |
Checked October 14, 2026. Not recorded for Michigan: fee waiver path, parenting class rule and mediation rule.
Michigan in detail
Michigan's residency rule reads: complainant or defendant resided in Michigan 180 days immediately before filing and in the county 10 days (MCL 552.9). (legislature.mi.gov) Michigan's waiting period (60 days (6 months with minor children)): no proofs or testimony until 60 days after the complaint is filed; 6 months when there are minor children under 18; court may shorten for unusual hardship or compelling necessity (MCL 552.9f). (legislature.mi.gov) On separation: FindLaw state table shows no separation requirement; breakdown of the marriage relationship is the sole ground (MCL 552.6). (no link recorded) Michigan's filing fee ($150 (plus $80 with minor children)): MCL 600.2529(1)(a) civil filing fee $150; (1)(d) adds $80 when custody or parenting time is determined; FindLaw lists $175 without and $255 with minor children (Wayne County), which include other fees. (legislature.mi.gov) Michigan's alimony rule: no; discretionary (MCL 552.23). (recordinglaw.com)
Steps and minimum times in Michigan
- Before filing, residency. Complainant or defendant resided in Michigan 180 days immediately before filing and in the county 10 days (MCL 552.9). (legislature.mi.gov)
- Filing. Michigan court fee $150 (plus $80 with minor children). (legislature.mi.gov)
- Earliest possible decree. 60 days (6 months with minor children) in Michigan: no proofs or testimony until 60 days after the complaint is filed; 6 months when there are minor children under 18; court may shorten for unusual hardship or compelling necessity (MCL 552.9f). (legislature.mi.gov)
What filing costs in Michigan
- Court filing fee: $150 (plus $80 with minor children) (legislature.mi.gov)
Official sources for Michigan
Questions about Michigan
How much is Michigan's divorce filing fee?
$150 (plus $80 with minor children). (legislature.mi.gov)
How long is Michigan's waiting period for divorce?
60 days (6 months with minor children). No proofs or testimony until 60 days after the complaint is filed; 6 months when there are minor children under 18; court may shorten for unusual hardship or compelling necessity (MCL 552.9f). (legislature.mi.gov)
What is Michigan's residency rule for divorce?
Complainant or defendant resided in Michigan 180 days immediately before filing and in the county 10 days (MCL 552.9). (legislature.mi.gov)
Does Michigan have an alimony formula?
No; discretionary (MCL 552.23). (recordinglaw.com)
Is Michigan a community property state?
No: equitable distribution (IRS Publication 555). (irs.gov)
How this page is built
Each rule here is one cell of the 51-row divorce dataset behind the national chart, with its source. Unrecorded cells are left out. Lawyers' fees are not sourced or counted. General information, not legal advice.