Michigan divorce at a glance
Residency requirement
180 days in state, 10 days in county
No-fault ground
Pure no-fault only ground: 'breakdown of the marriage relationship' — no fault grounds exist. Statutory waiting period after filing: 60 days (no minor children) / 180 days (with children, waivable to 60 in hardship). Residency: 180 days in Michigan + 10 days…
Filing fee
$175 without minor children; ~$255 with children ($175 + $80 judgment/FOC fee). Fee waiver: form MC 20 Fee Waiver Request (statewide).
Child support
Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF) — income shares. Official calculation via MiChildSupport calculator (michigan.gov/mdhhs); order entered on Uniform Child Support Order FOC 10/52; FOC 23 Verified Statement…
E-filing (self-represented)
MiFILE (TrueFiling, mifile.courts.michigan.gov) — statewide e-filing system; mandatory in many circuit courts (incl. Wayne, Oakland) and self-represented parties may e-file even where not required…
County differences
Moderate. SCAO forms uniform statewide, but Friend of the Court (FOC) offices have county-specific intake requirements/local forms (e.g., FOC opt-in/opt-out packets differ by county); some counties publish their own…
Official statewide forms
PARTIAL. SCAO publishes statewide standardized SUPPORTING forms (MC 01 Summons, MC 416 UCCJEA affidavit, FOC 23 Verified Statement, CC 320 domestic-relations verified complaint attachment, FOC 10/52 Uniform Child…
Official source: Michigan court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
Coming soon
Michigan document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Michigan. In the meantime, the official Michigan court forms are linked below.
Official Michigan forms →
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Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
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Michigan divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Michigan?
No. Michigan allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Michigan divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Michigan to file for divorce?
180 days in state, 10 days in county
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Michigan?
$175 without minor children; ~$255 with children ($175 + $80 judgment/FOC fee). Fee waiver: form MC 20 Fee Waiver Request (statewide). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.
This page is general information about Michigan’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.