Divorce is the legal process for ending a ceremonial (formal) marriage or a common law (informal) marriage and typically may be initiated by either spouse by filing a petition or complaint for divorce in state court in the county where the spouses last lived together.
In the divorce process the parties (by agreement) or the court (by order or decree) will determine how issues related to the marriage will be handled following divorce—including (1) the division of marital property, (2) the division of marital debts, (3) child custody arrangements, (4) child support obligations, and (5) spousal support, maintenance, or alimony payments, if any.
In Michigan, divorce is the legal process to dissolve a marriage, whether ceremonial or common law. To initiate a divorce, one spouse must file a petition or complaint for divorce in the family division of the circuit court in the county where the couple last resided together. The divorce process will address several key issues, either through mutual agreement between the parties or by court order. These issues include the equitable division of marital property and debts, child custody and parenting time arrangements, child support obligations, and the determination of spousal support or alimony. Michigan is a 'no-fault' divorce state, meaning that a divorce can be granted without the need to prove wrongdoing by either spouse. However, fault can still play a role in the division of property and the awarding of alimony. The court's primary concern in matters involving children is the best interests of the child. Child support in Michigan is determined by state guidelines that consider the income of both parents, among other factors.