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Michigan doubles its waiting period when children are involved — 60 days without kids, 180 days with them, plus a 180-day residency rule.

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Reviewed by our editorial team Based on official state court forms

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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms

By Sarah Brooks Founder · Editor
Editorial Team Research & plain-language review
At a Glance

Michigan divorce at a glance

Residency requirement 180 days state + 10 days county
Waiting period 60 days (180 with children)
Filing fee $175
Grounds accepted Breakdown of marriage (no-fault only)
Official forms No standard numbers (SCAO forms)

Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.

Overview

Divorce in Michigan: the children clock

Michigan is the clearest example of how children change a divorce timeline. Couples without minor children wait 60 days after filing before the court can enter a decree. Couples with minor children wait 180 days — a full three times longer, designed to give parents time to complete the required parent education class and think through custody arrangements.

The state is no-fault only: the sole ground is the breakdown of the marriage relationship, with no proof of wrongdoing needed. Filing requires 180 days of Michigan residency plus 10 days in the county where you file, and the Complaint for Divorce goes to the Circuit Court in that county.

Property is divided equitably, and child support follows the Michigan Child Support Formula — a guideline-based system that calculates support from both parents’ incomes. Custody is decided under the best interests factors in MCL 722.23, and spousal support follows MCL 552.13. The SCAO forms come from Michigan Courts, and filing runs about $175.

Official court source: Michigan Courts