Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Family Law • Document Preparation
Michigan Divorce Paperwork Preparation
Document preparation assistance for self-represented Michigan filers handling an uncontested or amicable divorce. We organize the forms — you control the decisions.
Quick Answer
What divorce documents do I need in Michigan?
A Michigan divorce starts with three core documents: a Summons (MC 01), a Complaint for Divorce, and a Record of Divorce (DCH-0838). If you have minor children you also file a Verified Statement (FOC 23), a Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction affidavit (MC 416), and a Uniform Child Support Order (FOC 10). You file them in the circuit court of the county where you live, pay roughly $175 in filing fees ($255 with children in most counties), serve your spouse and file Proof of Service (MC 19), and finish with a Judgment of Divorce after the 60-day waiting period (180 days when minor children are involved).
Where you file
Circuit court in your county
Filing fee
About $175 (more with children)
Waiting period
60 days — 180 with minor children
Residency
180 days in Michigan, 10 in the county
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- Most packages prepared in 3–7 business days
- Michigan court-ready formatting
- Step-by-step filing instructions
How Michigan Divorce Paperwork works in Michigan
A Michigan divorce moves through a fairly predictable sequence of paperwork. Self-represented filers (pro se litigants) handle the same forms an attorney would, with a mandatory 60-day waiting period (180 days when minor children are involved).
- 1
Initial intake
You complete our online intake describing the marriage, residency, children, property, and any agreements already reached.
- 2
Complaint package
We prepare the Summons (MC 01), Complaint for Divorce, Verified Statement (FOC 23), and any Friend of the Court forms required when minor children are involved.
- 3
Filing instructions
You receive a printable filing packet plus county-specific instructions: where to take it, how many copies, and what the clerk will likely ask.
- 4
Service on your spouse
We prepare the Proof of Service (MC 19) and explain acceptance-of-service options if your spouse is cooperating.
- 5
Judgment packet
After the waiting period, we prepare the Judgment of Divorce and any related orders for the court hearing.
Common forms used for michigan divorce paperwork
These are the SCAO-approved forms most commonly used in a Michigan no-fault divorce. Form revisions change — always confirm the current version on the Michigan Courts website.
| Form # | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| MC 01 | Summons | Notifies the other spouse of the case. |
| FOC 23 | Verified Statement | Required when minor children or support is involved. |
| FOC 39 | Uniform Child Support Order | Used when support is being established or changed. |
| MC 19 | Proof of Service | Documents that your spouse was served. |
| MC 20 | Fee Waiver Request | Used to request court fees be waived based on income. |
Form numbers and revisions change. Always confirm with your local court before filing. We help organize and complete the right packet based on the information you provide.
Where to file
Divorce complaints are filed in the Circuit Court of the county where either spouse has lived for at least 10 days before filing (180 days statewide). For Southeast Michigan that usually means the 3rd Circuit (Wayne), 6th Circuit (Oakland), 16th Circuit (Macomb), or 31st Circuit (St. Clair).
Typical filing fee
Approximately $175 statewide for a divorce filing fee, with additional small fees for motions or certified copies. Fees are set by the legislature and the court — not by us.
Fee waiver: MC 20 lets low-income filers ask the court to waive filing fees based on income or public-assistance status.
Service of process basics
After filing, your spouse must be formally served with the Summons and Complaint. This can be done by personal service, certified mail, or — when both parties cooperate — by signed acceptance of service. We prepare the proof-of-service paperwork either way.
What trips people up
- Filing in the wrong county before meeting the 10-day residency rule.
- Forgetting to attach the FOC 23 Verified Statement when children are involved.
- Missing the 60-day waiting period (or 180 days with children) before requesting judgment.
- Using outdated SCAO form revisions.
- Leaving the property and debt section of the Judgment vague enough that the court rejects it.
- Not preparing a separate Uniform Child Support Order when support is part of the judgment.
- Forgetting to file Proof of Service before the court will move the case forward.
What to expect, week by week
- Week 1
Intake & document preparation
You complete intake; we prepare and return the filing packet for review.
- Week 2
File and serve
You file the Summons and Complaint with the Circuit Court and arrange service on your spouse.
- Weeks 2–10
Waiting period
Michigan requires 60 days from filing (180 days with minor children) before a divorce can be finalized.
- After waiting period
Judgment hearing
The court holds a brief pro confesso or default hearing and signs the Judgment of Divorce.
How Michigan Divorce Paperwork Preparation Works in Michigan
Divorce, custody, and property division are handled by the Family Division of the Circuit Court in your county of residence.
Typical filing fees: Divorce filing ~$175 • Motion fees $20–$80 (set by the court, not by us)
- • MCL 552.9f sets the residency requirement: 180 days in Michigan and 10 days in the filing county.
- • MCL 552.9 establishes the 60-day waiting period (180 days with minor children).
- • Friend of the Court (FOC) involvement is mandatory when minor children are involved.
- • St. Clair County: file at the courthouse in Port Huron; small clerk staff means going early in the day usually means shorter waits.
- • Macomb County: filings are processed at the county complex in Mount Clemens; many local district courts also accept walk-ins.
- • Oakland County: the 6th Circuit Court in Pontiac handles most civil and family matters; e-filing through MiFILE is required for many filings.
- • Wayne County: the 3rd Circuit Court in Detroit and the 36th District Court each have separate filing windows and rules — confirm before you go.
Procedures and fees vary by county and may change. We prepare documents based on the information you provide; final filing acceptance is determined by the court.
Understanding michigan divorce paperwork in Michigan
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. Either spouse can file by alleging that the marriage is broken with no reasonable likelihood of preservation. You do not have to prove wrongdoing.
Residency basics
MCL 552.9 requires that one spouse has lived in Michigan for at least 180 days and in the filing county for at least 10 days before the complaint is filed. Filing too early is one of the most common reasons cases get bounced.
Property division
Michigan follows equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly — not necessarily 50/50. Separate property (inheritances, premarital assets) is generally not divided. Your Judgment of Divorce should clearly identify which assets and debts each party will receive.
Children and support
If you have minor children, the Friend of the Court will get involved. The Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF) is used to calculate support, and a Uniform Child Support Order (FOC 39) is entered with the Judgment.
Glossary
- Pro se
- Latin for 'on one's own behalf' — representing yourself without an attorney.
- FOC
- Friend of the Court — the office that handles support and custody enforcement.
- Default judgment
- Entered when the responding spouse does not answer the complaint within the required time.
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Statutes, procedures, and court rules change. Clear Path Document Services prepares documents based on the information you provide and is not a law firm.
What's included in your document preparation package
Turnaround: Most packages prepared in 3–7 business days • Pricing: $449–$1,299+ (court filing fees not included)
- Summons and Complaint for Divorce
- Verified Statement (FOC 23) when applicable
- Uniform Child Support Order (FOC 39) when applicable
- Proof of Service (MC 19)
- Judgment of Divorce draft
- Filing instructions for your county
- Hearing-day checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use an attorney to get divorced in Michigan?+
No. Michigan allows self-represented filers in family court. We help with the paperwork; we do not provide legal advice or represent you.
How long does a Michigan divorce take?+
At minimum, 60 days for couples without minor children and 180 days with minor children. Contested issues can extend the timeline significantly.
How much does it cost to file?+
The court filing fee is approximately $175. Document preparation through ClearPath is a separate flat fee.
What if my spouse will not sign anything?+
You can still file. Service can be made by personal service or certified mail, and the case can proceed by default if your spouse does not answer.
Can you tell me what's fair in property division?+
No. We are not attorneys and cannot advise on outcomes. We prepare the documents that reflect the agreement you provide.
Which county do I file in?+
The Circuit Court of the county where either spouse has lived for at least 10 days, provided the 180-day Michigan residency is also met.
Do I need to appear in court?+
Yes. Even uncontested cases require a brief pro confesso hearing where the judge signs the final judgment.
Can I waive the filing fee?+
Yes — Form MC 20 allows the court to waive fees based on income or public-assistance status.
What if we agree on everything?+
An uncontested divorce is the simplest path. We can prepare a Consent Judgment that both parties sign before the hearing.
Do you help with custody after divorce?+
Yes — we offer separate document preparation packages for custody motions, parenting time changes, and child support modifications.
What happens to health insurance and retirement?+
These should be addressed in the Judgment of Divorce. Splitting retirement accounts may require a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO).
Can you file the documents for me?+
We prepare the packet and provide step-by-step filing instructions; the actual filing must be done by the party because we are not attorneys of record.
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