Michigan Divorce Cost, Filing Fees & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee
- $175 without children / $255 with childrenstatutory, consistent statewide; +$25 e-filing system fee at initiation
- Waiting period
- 60 days — 6 months with minor childrenchildren's wait can be shortened to 60 days for hardship
- Residency requirement
- 180 days in Michigan + 10 days in the county
- Where to file
- Circuit Court — Family Division
Michigan sets divorce filing fees by statute, so they're consistent statewide: $175 for a divorce without minor children, or $255 with children (the extra $80 funds the Friend of the Court). A $25 statewide e-filing system fee applies at case initiation, and service costs are extra.
Michigan is a no-fault state with a two-tier waiting period: 60 days minimum in every case, and six months when minor children are involved (courts can shorten the six months to 60 days for unusual hardship). Residency is 180 days in Michigan plus 10 days in the filing county. Michigan Legal Help's court-partnered Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool assembles all SCAO-approved forms free.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee — no minor children | $175 | Official fee |
| Filing fee — with minor childrenincludes $80 Friend of the Court fee | $255 | Official fee |
| E-filing system fee | $25 | Official fee |
| Service of process | $26–$75 | Estimate |
| Contested — attorney representation | $4,000–$20,000+ | Estimate |
Filing fees are statutory and uniform across Michigan counties. Estimates are market figures.
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Residency | Either spouse lived in Michigan 180 days and in the filing county 10 days |
| Grounds | No-fault — breakdown of the marriage relationship |
| Waiting period | 60 days (no children) / 6 months (minor children) from filing — MCL 552.9f |
| Fee waiver | Fee Waiver Request (SCAO Form MC 20) |
The process, step by step
- File the complaint. File the Complaint for Divorce in the Circuit Court's Family Division; pay $175/$255 (+$25 e-filing) or file Form MC 20 for a waiver.
- Serve your spouse. Service within 91 days — process server, certified mail, or the spouse signs an acknowledgment.
- Wait the statutory period. 60 days minimum; six months when minor children are involved. Friend of the Court begins its work in children's cases.
- Settle or litigate. Agreed cases prepare a judgment of divorce and (with children) a Uniform Child Support Order using state guidelines.
- Final hearing. The plaintiff attends a short hearing (many courts allow remote appearance) and the judge signs the Judgment of Divorce.
Forms & where to file
Circuit Court — Family Division in the county where either spouse has lived for 10 days.
- Do-It-Yourself Divorce (Michigan Legal Help) — court-partnered; generates SCAO-approved forms
- SCAO-approved forms (courts.michigan.gov)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Michigan divorce cost to file?
$175 without minor children, $255 with minor children (statutory statewide), plus the $25 e-filing system fee and service costs. Form MC 20 waives fees for those who qualify.
How long does a Michigan divorce take?
Minimum 60 days without children, six months with minor children (courts can shorten to 60 days for compelling hardship). Contested cases routinely run longer.
Do both spouses pay a fee?
The filer pays the filing fee. A responding spouse pays a smaller answer/appearance fee set by court rule if they file a response.
Can I do it myself?
Yes — Michigan Legal Help's DIY Divorce tool is court-partnered and free, and works well for agreed cases. Cases with pensions, businesses or custody disputes usually justify a lawyer.
Related information
Sources & verification
- Livingston County Clerk — Circuit Court filing fees (statutory amounts)
- Michigan Legal Help — Introduction to Divorce (residency, waiting periods, MCL 552.9f)
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.