Menu
Divorce is one of life's biggest transitions. Even when you know it's the right decision for you and your family, it's normal to feel uncertain about what comes next. Questions about timelines, court hearings, custody, finances, and property division can quickly make an already emotional situation feel even more overwhelming.
But here’s where we tell you that you've got this.
While yes, it’s a monumental journey, just knowing what to expect is often half the battle. We’re here to break it all down for you. While every divorce is unique, the legal process generally follows the same roadmap, and understanding what happens at each stage can help reduce anxiety, set realistic expectations, and allow you to make informed decisions as your case moves forward.
If you're considering divorce in Michigan, here's what you can expect from start to finish. We'll walk through the typical stages of a Michigan divorce, explain Michigan's mandatory waiting periods, discuss what happens during property division, custody, and support negotiations, and outline the factors that can speed up or delay your case. Let’s get started
Long before divorce paperwork is filed, many people spend weeks or months weighing their options. Some couples try counseling. Others begin gathering financial information or speaking with an attorney to better understand what divorce might look like.
Though it may not seem like it, this preparation period is an important part of the overall divorce process as it can make things go significantly smoother once the paperwork ultimately does begin.
Before filing, consider taking time to:
The more organized you are from the beginning, the easier it is to make informed decisions throughout the divorce.
The divorce officially begins when one spouse files a Complaint for Divorce in the appropriate Michigan circuit court. Either spouse can file for divorce as long as one has lived in the state for at least 180 days and in the county of filing for at least 10 days.
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. That means you don’t have to prove adultery, abuse, abandonment, or other wrongdoing to file for divorce. It’s enough to say your marriage is broken beyond repair.\
Once the complaint is filed, the legal process officially begins.
After filing, your spouse must be formally served with the complaint and summons. This step ensures they know the case has started and gives them time to respond (which they must do within 21 or 28 days, depending on how they are served).
This is one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of the Michigan divorce timeline. Michigan requires mandatory waiting periods before a divorce can be finalized. These are designed to give both spouses time to consider the decision and, when children are involved, to ensure the court has time to review parenting arrangements.
Under MCL §552.9f:
Judges have very limited discretion to shorten these timelines. Usually, only in cases of significant hardship or emergencies affecting the children can these timelines be altered. That said, you can use this time to negotiate and prepare.
While the clock is ticking on the waiting period, both sides begin working through the major issues, including property division, parenting, and support. It’s also when each party must disclose financial and other relevant information (a process called “discovery”).
During discovery, each party provides information about finances, assets, debts, income, retirement accounts, businesses, real estate, and other relevant matters. The goal is to ensure everyone is working from complete and accurate financial information before decisions are made.
Several important issues are typically addressed during this phase.
Depending on your circumstances, property division may involve, the marital home, vacation property, vehicles, retirement accounts , investment accounts, businesses, personal property, credit card debt, mortgages and loans. Every family's financial situation is different, and courts consider numerous factors when determining what constitutes an equitable division.
If your divorce involves children, you may hear about Michigan's Friend of the Court (FOC). The FOC assists the court in matters related to custody, parenting time, and child support. They may conduct interviews, make recommendations, enforce support orders, or help parents resolve disputes.
Their role is not to “take sides,” but to support the court in ensuring children’s best interests are protected and that both parents follow court orders. Some counties use the FOC extensively, while others allow parties to opt out in certain situations. This is something your attorney can help you understand based on your circumstances.
Many divorces settle through negotiation before reaching trial. If agreements can’t be reached through negotiation, the next step is mediation or court hearings. Mediation is often required when custody issues are contested. Typically, mediation may take a few hours to a full day for couples to resolve issues, whereas court hearings vary widely and can greatly extend the process.
If settlement isn't possible, the judge will ultimately decide the unresolved issues after hearing evidence presented by both sides. The more contested the issues, the longer this stage typically takes.
Once all issues have been resolved, either through negotiation, mediation, or court rulings, the attorneys prepare the Judgment of Divorce. This is mostly a paperwork step, and the timeline is generally a few days to a few weeks, depending on court availability and document revisions. After reviewing the paperwork, the judge signs the judgment.
Once the judge signs the Judgment of Divorce, your marriage is legally dissolved. You’ll receive a copy for your records, and any parenting schedules or financial orders officially take effect. Any future changes to things like a parenting plan would need to go through a process called a post-judgment modification.
The complete timeline for a Michigan divorce hinges on several factors, some of which may be in your control but many of which are not. Key variables include:
In uncontested divorces, the process can move relatively quickly. The fastest cases can often be completed close to the 60-day mark when no minor children are involved, and everything is fully agreed upon. The most common timeframe, however, tends to be 6-12 months, and complex cases can push past the one-year mark.
What’s important to remember is that slower timelines don’t necessarily mean something is “wrong.” Sometimes extra time is needed to gather documents or work through complex issues. What matters most is having the right support and information at each stage so you can move through the process with confidence.
Divorce affects every part of your life, not just your legal status. From protecting your financial future to creating a parenting plan that works for your family, every decision matters.
At McKinney Vos PLLC, we help Michigan families navigate divorce with practical guidance, compassionate support, and experienced legal advocacy. Whether your divorce is relatively straightforward or involves complex financial or custody issues, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you navigate every stage of your Michigan divorce.
--
Bailey Vos is a Michigan family law attorney and co-founder of McKinney Vos PLLC, helping families in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan navigate divorce, custody, and other complex family matters.
© 2026 McKinney Vos PLLC
Legal Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Law Firm Website Design by The Modern Firm