Structure
Filing for divorce can be a daunting process, and understanding the necessary paperwork is crucial for anyone navigating this difficult time. In Michigan, the Complaint for Divorce form serves as the foundational document to initiate divorce proceedings. This form requires the plaintiff to provide essential information, including the names and addresses of both spouses, their attorneys, and details about their marriage, such as the date of marriage and the date of separation. It also addresses residency requirements, stipulating that at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for a minimum of 180 days and in the county where the complaint is filed for at least 10 days. If there are minor children involved, the form requires information about their living arrangements and any prior custody proceedings. Furthermore, the document outlines the division of property and debts, indicating whether the parties have reached a Property Settlement Agreement. Finally, the plaintiff requests specific relief, such as the dissolution of marriage and, if applicable, the restoration of a maiden name. Understanding these components is essential for ensuring that the divorce process proceeds smoothly and in accordance with Michigan law.
Form Example
Original - Court |
2nd copy - Plaintiff |
4th copy - Friend of the Court |
|
1st copy - Defendant |
3rd copy - Return |
STATE OF MICHIGAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
COUNTY FAMILY DIVISION
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE
Page 1 of 5 pages
CASE NO.
Court address |
Court telephone No. |
Plaintiff’s name, address, and telephone no(s).
V
Defendant’s name, address, and telephone no(s).
Plaintiff’s attorney, bar no., address, and telephone no.
Defendant’s attorney, bar no., address, and telephone no.
THERE IS NO OTHER PENDING OR RESOLVED ACTION WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY DIVISION OF THE CIRCUIT COURT INVOLVING THE FAMILY OR FAMILY MEMBER OF THE PERSONS WHO ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE COMPLAINT.
THERE IS NO PENDING OR RESOLVED CIVIL ACTION ARISING OUT OF THE TRANSACTION OR OCCURRENCE ALLEGED IN THE COMPLAINT.
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE
NOW COMES the Plaintiff, _________________________, (Wife/Husband) and for
his/her Complaint For Divorce against the Defendant, _________________________,
(Wife/Husband) states as follows:
1.The 
Plaintiff 
Defendant 
Both Plaint and Defendant has/have been a resident of the State of Michigan for at least 180 days, and of _________________________
County, for at least 10 days, prior to filing this Complaint.
2.The statistical information of the parties is as follows:
Plaintiff
Name:
Name prior to marriage, if any Current Address:
Date of Birth:
Occupation:
Employer’s Name and Address:
Defendant
Name:
Name prior to marriage, if any Current Address:
Date of Birth:
Occupation:
Employer’s Name and Address:
- 1 -
STATE OF MICHIGAN |
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE |
CASE NO. |
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT |
|
|
COUNTY |
Page 2 of 5 pages |
|
FAMILY DIVISION |
|
|
Court address |
|
Court telephone no. |
|
|
|
Plaintiff
V
Defendant
3.On the ______ day of __________, the Plaintiff, _________________________, was legally married to the Defendant, _________________________, in the County of
_______________. The Wife’s maiden name was _________________________.
4.The Plaintiff, _________________________, and the Defendant,
_________________________, lived and
5.The parties 
have 
do not have property to be divided.
6.There are _______ minor children of said marriage:
Name |
|
Date of Birth |
|
Social Security Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.Pursuant to MCL 722.1209, Plaintiff states:
a.The children presently reside with _________________________ at
_________________________ and for the last five years have resided with
_________________________ at _________________________.
b.I 
have 
have not participated as a party or witness or in another capacity, in another child custody proceeding concerning the children.
c.I 
know 
do not know of a proceeding that could affect the current child custody proceeding, including a proceeding for enforcement or a
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE
CASE NO.
- 2 -
STATE OF MICHIGAN |
|
|
|
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT |
Page 3 of |
5 pages |
|
COUNTY |
|
||
|
|
|
|
FAMILY DIVISION |
|
|
|
Court address |
|
|
Court telephone no. |
|
|
|
|
Plaintiff
V
Defendant
proceeding relating to domestic violence, a protective order, termination of parental rights, or adoption.
d.I 
know 
do not know of any person who is not a party to this child custody proceeding and has physical custody of the children or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of , or parenting time with, the children.
8.There has been a breakdown in the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed, and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the parties' marriage can be preserved.
9.The parties own and possess, jointly and individually, miscellaneous household effects, household goods, furniture, fixtures, motor vehicles, real and personal property. The parties will execute a Property Settlement Agreement resolving all property and debt issues of the Parties, dispensing with the necessity of the Court making a division of the parties’ assets and debts.
10.All issues regarding the care and custody of the parties’ minor children, including issues of support and visitation, will be resolved by the Separation and Property Settlement Agreement to be executed by the parties.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff prays that:
A.The marriage between the Plaintiff and the Defendant be dissolved and that a divorce from the bonds of matrimony be adjudged, according to the statute in such case made
-3 -
STATE OF MICHIGAN |
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE |
CASE NO. |
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT |
|
|
COUNTY |
Page 4 of 5 pages |
|
FAMILY DIVISION |
|
|
Court address |
|
Court telephone no. |
|
|
|
Plaintiff
V
Defendant
and provided;
B.That the Property Settlement Agreement be approved by the Court;
C.
or
That wife be restored her maiden name of ________________,
No restoration of name is requested;
D.The Plaintiff be granted such other or further relief as this Court may deem just
and equitable.
Dated: ____________________ |
____________________________________ |
|
Plaintiff Signature |
|
Address |
|
City, State Zip |
|
Phone |
|
|
|
|
Plaintiff |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defendant |
||||
Name: |
|
|
Name: |
||||||||||||
Name |
prior to marriage, if any |
|
|
Name |
prior to marriage, if any |
||||||||||
Current Address: |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Address: |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Date of Birth: |
|
Date of Birth: |
|||||||||||||
Occupation: |
|
|
|
|
Occupation: |
|
|
||||||||
Employer’s |
Name and Address: |
|
|
Employer’s |
Name and Address: |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 4 -
STATE OF MICHIGAN |
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE |
CASE NO. |
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT |
|
|
COUNTY |
Page 5 of 5 pages |
|
FAMILY DIVISION |
|
|
Court address |
|
Court telephone no. |
|
|
|
Plaintiff
V
Defendant
STATE OF MICHIGAN |
) |
|
)ss. |
County of ____________________ |
) |
On this ______ day of _________________________, 20______, before me, a Notary
Public, in and for said County, personally appeared _________________________, to me known
to be the same person described in and who executed the foregoing Complaint for Divorce and who acknowledged the same to be his/her free act and deed, and that the same is true on his/her knowledge, except to those matters therein stated to be on information and belief, and he/she believes the same to be true.
_____________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ____________________
- 5 -
Document Specs
| Fact Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | The Michigan Complaint for Divorce form is governed by the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 552.6 and MCL 722.1209. |
| Residency Requirement | At least one spouse must have resided in Michigan for a minimum of 180 days and in the filing county for at least 10 days prior to filing. |
| Copies Required | The form requires multiple copies: one for the court, one for the plaintiff, one for the defendant, one for the Friend of the Court, and one for return. |
| Marriage Information | The form must include details about the marriage, such as the date of marriage and the maiden name of the wife, if applicable. |
| Minor Children | If there are minor children, the form requires information about their names, dates of birth, and current custody arrangements. |
| Property Settlement | The parties can agree to a Property Settlement Agreement, which resolves all property and debt issues without the court's intervention. |
| Name Restoration | The plaintiff may request the restoration of their maiden name as part of the divorce proceedings, though it is not mandatory. |
| Notary Requirement | The form must be signed in front of a notary public, who will verify the identities of the parties involved in the divorce. |
Fill out Common Templates
Michigan Workers Independent Contractor Worksheet - The practical implications of this worksheet extend to financial and legal realms, stressing the significance of proper classification in the business community.
For individuals looking to safeguard sensitive information, the Maryland Non-disclosure Agreement is a vital tool that ensures confidentiality is maintained. This form is designed to prevent the unauthorized sharing of proprietary data. To access a customizable version of this important legal document, simply follow this guide to creating a Non-disclosure Agreement.
Michigan Medicaid Income Limits 2024 for Seniors - Tips for navigating the health care coverage application via the Michigan DHS-4574 form for nursing facility residents.
Letters of Authority for Personal Representative Michigan - Michigan's PC 568 form involves an assessment by the register to ensure the applicant has the right priority or nomination for the personal representative role.