2026 state court fee data · Michigan

Divorce in Michigan

Recorded at $150–$250 - mid-pack among the civil filings in Michigan, and one of 10 states where we price this filing.

Filing steps ↓ About this data

Fee rank is not wait rank

Signature reading for Divorce in Michigan: $150–$250 on max-fee among states for this filing. On this filing's state cohort, Michigan sits in the lower third of recorded max fees ($150–$250). Michigan records a long end of the waiting-period distribution for this filing (60 days). The published step list sits near the 6-step median for this filing (7 steps). California lists the highest divorce filing-fee ceiling at $435 among 10 states for this filing; that is not the longest wait: North Carolina records 365 days on a $225 ceiling.

Divorce figures for Michigan are compiled schedule reference, not legal advice - verify with the clerk where you intend to file.

In-state wait inventory

Waiting periods among Michigan civil filings

Exclusive split of all 12 tracked filings in Michigan - orthogonal to in-state fee placement below.

Compare a state record

Compare divorce with another state

Start with Michigan, then inspect another published court-schedule record without leaving this page.

Focus the comparison by published maximum fee

This only narrows the same court-schedule records; it does not estimate a total filing cost.

In-state placement

Where divorce sits among Michigan filings

Of the 12 civil filings we track in Michigan, divorce ranks 6 by recorded maximum fee: mid-pack among the civil filings in Michigan. Neighbours: Guardianship at $300 and Name Change at $200.

Same-state corpus only, not a national ranking. How we place filings

8 of 10 states publishing a waiting-period field for this filing impose one; Michigan records 60 days.

The Michigan row lists 7 procedural steps against a 6-step median for this filing: a reading of published detail, not difficulty.

Filing Fee Details

Wayne County ~$225. Ottawa County ~$150. Fee waivers for low-income filers.

Michigan's low-band fee among states

Michigan sits in the lower third of this filing's state cohort at $150–$250 (rank #8 of 10 by max fee).

Source: state court filing-fee schedules (upper-bound fee per state). Verify current amounts with the relevant court. How we calculate this ranking →

Key Requirements

  • File Complaint for Divorce in Circuit Court
  • 60-day waiting period (no children)
  • 180-day waiting period (with minor children)
  • Judgment of Divorce must address all marital assets
  • Parenting Time Schedule if children involved

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1

    File Complaint for Divorce in Circuit Court

  2. 2

    Serve spouse (21-day response window)

  3. 3

    Exchange financial information

  4. 4

    Attend mediation if required

  5. 5

    Wait out mandatory period (60 or 180 days)

  6. 6

    Final hearing

  7. 7

    Judge enters Judgment of Divorce

Important Notes

Michigan is an equitable distribution state. No-fault only — courts cannot consider fault in most circumstances.

Grounds / Eligibility

No-fault only: breakdown of the marriage relationship

Quick Reference

Fee stamp
CLERK schedule band
Wait stamp
MID clock band
Filing Fee
$150–$250
Residency
One spouse in Michigan for 180 days; 10 days in county
Waiting Period
60 days
Typical Timeline
No children: 60-day minimum. With children: 180-day minimum. Contested: 1-2 years.

Official Resources

Michigan Court Website Official Forms

Nearest fee-schedule peers in Michigan

Ordered by ABS(filing_fee_max) to this row's CLERK stamp - not an A-Z process catalog.

Court Mediation
STANDARD
$0–$300
1-2 sessions
Guardianship
STANDARD
$175–$300
2-4 months
Name Change
CLERK
$150–$200
1-2 months
Eviction
CLERK
$45–$150
Hearing within 10-21 days. Possession order after judgment.
Probate
STANDARD
$150–$350
6-12 months
Civil Lawsuit
STANDARD
$150–$400
12-24 months

Take this with you

What to do with divorce in Michigan's numbers, next.

Filing fees and requirements change; verify current figures with your local court before filing.

According to published Michigan court materials compiled in the PlainCivil state-process database. See our methodology for source categories and vintage. Schedule row for Divorce in Michigan: max fee $150–$250, wait 60 days, vintage 2026-09-01.