Michigan Divorce Laws and Resources
The following information is a resource on divorce law in the State of Michigan. You can also find divorce lawyers and professionals, separation and divorce forms, support services, and more. In addition to the resources listed below, you can find more help and information in our divorce article section.
ProfessionalsDivorce LawyersPrivate Investigators Background Checks Divorce SupportSupport GroupsDomestic ViolenceShelters and Hotlines |
Divorce PapersDivorce and Separation FormsOnline Divorce Divorce Form Preparation Family Law ResourcesDivorce LawsChild Support Guidelines Michigan Child Support Calculator Child Support Enforcement |
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DIVORCE LAWYERS AND FIRMS
Law Offices of Ronald M. Bookholder
Troy, Michigan
Ron Bookholder is a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; actively practicing alternative dispute resolution such as collaborative law, mediation and arbitration.
The Law Offices of Christopher P. Kohler, P.C.
30445 Northwestern Highway, Suite 230
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Counties served: Oakland, Wayne, Livingston,
Macomb, Washtenaw
Telephone: (248) 737-8410
Fax: (866) 702-1201
We are a family law practice offering family law services for divorce, custody,
support modification, paternity, adoption, visitation enforcement and
modification, and domestication of foreign judgments. In addition to being a
traditional law practice, we have developed a website that allows most of the
information required in any case to be submitted directly over the internet. This helps the client to control their costs and accelerate preparation of their
case.
Website: www.michiganfamilyattorney.com
Email:
Nesi and Associates, P.C.
Chris Nesi
119 Kercheval Suite 1B
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Counties served: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb
Telephone: 313-886-5769
Fax: 313-886-5851
Our firm represents clients in all stages of Family Law
litigation, whether property settlement in divorce, custody matter,
or post judgments conflicts concerning children and support.
We pride ourselves on preparation, attention to detail and client
education.
Website: www.nesilawyers.com
Email:
Ellen Paynter, Esq.
30445 Northwestern Highway, Suite 230
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
Counties served: Oakland, Macomb, Wayne
Telephone: (248) 851-7555
Fax: (248) 851-3363
Our Divorce and Family Law experience will provide you with sound, calming legal advice with representation tailored to meet your needs - now and into the future. Call for your free phone consultation.
Website: www.YourMichiganLawyers.com
Email:
The Shaw Group, P.C.
42705 Grand River Avenue
Novi, Michigan 48375
Counties served: Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne
Telephone: (248) 374-1800
Experienced, trusted and understanding legal representation
for all family law matters.
Website: www.eshawlaw.com/
Email:
Office Locations:
- Ann Arbor - 117 N. First Street (734) 451-1800
- Novi - 42705 Grand River (248) 374-1800
- Plymouth - 342 South Harvey (734) 451-1800
Need a Divorce Lawyer?
DIVORCE FORM PREPARATION
Have All of Your Documents Completed For You! This easy to use, accurate, and up-to-date on-line divorce service is a perfect "do it yourself (without a lawyer)" solution for any uncontested divorce (with or without children) that will be filed in the state of Michigan. You can get "Real Person" customer support by phone & e-mail, plus access to 40 downloadable books (valued at over $750). Start your divorce today.
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS
There are currently no private investigators for this state
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Conduct Background Checks and Investigations - Obtain vital statistics, marriage and divorce records, credit record checks, criminal and court records, sex offender searches, driving and vehicle records, property records, general public records, business registration and property resources. Find out the truth about anyone!
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS
Divorce Care can help you locate a divorce support group in your area. There are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the USA and Canada, and many groups meeting internationally as well.
Partners in Prevention provides consulting and psychological services to
domestic abuse survivors before, during and post divorce. Additionally, we serve
as consulting experts in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. We
also offer continuing medical and nursing education in domestic abuse assessment
and clinical management to healthcare professionals. You can contact us at:
13918 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-222-1058
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
Domestic Violence Crisis and Support ServicesShelters and Hotlines
Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence - Michigan Chapter
MICHIGAN DIVORCE LAW SUMMARY
Complete Divorce StatutesRESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND WHERE TO FILE: To file for a divorce in Michigan, the complainant or defendant must have resided in this state for 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint and resided in the county in which the complaint is filed for 10 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint.
(2) A person may file a complaint for divorce in any county in the state without meeting the 10-day requirement above if all of the following apply and are set forth in the complaint:
- The defendant was born in, or is a citizen of, a country other than the United States of America.
- The parties to the divorce action have a minor child or children.
- There is information that would allow the court to reasonably conclude that the minor child or children are at risk of being taken out of the United States of America and retained in another country by the defendant.
LEGAL GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE: A
divorce will be granted if evidence is presented in open court that
there has been a breakdown in 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. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes -
Section: 552.6]
LEGAL SEPARATION: An action for separate maintenance may be filed
in the circuit court in the same manner and on the same grounds as an action for
divorce. If
evidence is presented in open court that there has been a breakdown in 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, the court shall enter: (a) A judgment of separate maintenance
if a counterclaim for divorce has not been filed. (b) A judgment
dissolving the bonds of matrimony if a counterclaim for divorce has been
filed. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.7]
MEDIATION OR COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS: The office shall provide, either directly or by contract, domestic relations mediation to assist the parties in settling voluntarily a dispute concerning child custody or parenting time that arises in a friend of the court case. Parties shall not be required to meet with a domestic relations mediator. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.513]
PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION: Michigan is an equitable distribution state. Upon the annulment of a marriage, a divorce from the bonds of matrimony or a judgment of separate maintenance, the court may make a further judgment for restoring to either party the whole, or such parts as it shall deem just and reasonable, of the real and personal estate that shall have come to either party by reason of the marriage (if it appears from the evidence in the case that the party contributed to the acquisition, improvement, or accumulation of the property), or for awarding to either party the value thereof, to be paid by either party in money. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.19]
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ALIMONY/MAINTENANCE/SPOUSAL SUPPORT: Either party may be ordered to
pay alimony, both during the pendency of the divorce proceeding and
afterwards. An award of alimony may be terminated by the court as of the date the party
receiving alimony remarries unless a contrary agreement is specifically stated
in the judgment of divorce. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.13]
SPOUSE'S NAME: Whenever a decree of divorce is granted, the circuit court may, at the instance of the woman, decree to restore to her her birth name, or the surname she legally bore prior to her marriage to the husband in the divorce action, or allow her to adopt another surname if the change is not sought with any fraudulent or evil intent. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.391]
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CHILD CUSTODY: Joint custody is encouraged. In cases where
custody is disputed, custody placement will be determined based on the
"Best Interests of the Child", which includes:
- The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing between the parties involved and the child.
- The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to continue the education and raising of the child in his or her religion or creed, if any.
- The capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs.
- The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
- The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.
- The moral fitness of the parties involved.
- The mental and physical health of the parties involved.
- The home, school, and community record of the child.
- The reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express preference.
- The willingness and ability of each of the parties to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent or the child and the parents.
- Domestic violence, regardless of whether the violence was directed against or witnessed by the child.
- Any other factor considered by the court to be relevant to a particular child custody dispute. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.391]
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CHILD SUPPORT: The court shall order child support in an amount determined by application of
the
child support formula developed by the state friend of the court bureau.
The court may order child support for the time a child is regularly attending high school on a full-time basis with a reasonable expectation of completing sufficient credits to graduate from high school while residing on a full-time basis with the recipient of support or at an institution, but in no case after the child reaches 19 years and 6 months of age.
After July 1, 1983, each support order entered or modified by the circuit court shall provide for an order of income withholding. [Based on Michigan Revised Statutes - Section: 552.604, 552.605, 552.605b] » Return to top
