SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE

Which Michigan Divorce Forms Will You Need?

Michigan uses State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) forms for most steps of a divorce, which means many of the documents are standardized across the state. The exact set you'll need depends on your circumstances, especially whether minor children are involved and whether your spouse files a response. Below, the forms are grouped by the stage of the case they belong to, with a short description of what each one does. Form names and numbers are bolded so you can match them to what you find on the court website.

Starting the Case

These forms open the divorce and put your spouse on notice that a case has been filed.

• MC 01, Summons
  Issued by the clerk when you file; served on the defendant along with the Complaint to notify them that a divorce action has begun.

• MC 01a, Complaint
  The general complaint form used as the Complaint for Divorce, where the plaintiff states the ground for divorce and residence information.

• MC 21, Confidential Case Inventory (Domestic Relations and Juvenile Code)
  A confidential form filed with the complaint to identify any pending or prior domestic relations cases involving the parties or their minor children.

Responding to the Complaint

These forms come into play after the defendant has been served.

• MC 03, Answer (Civil)
  Used by the defendant to file an answer (and a counterclaim, if desired) to the Complaint for Divorce. The defendant has 21 days after service to respond.

• MC 07, Default Request and Entry
  Filed when the defendant does not answer within the required time; it asks the clerk to enter the defendant's default.

Financial & Disclosure Forms

Michigan requires the parties to share financial information so that support and property issues can be resolved fairly.

• CC 320, Domestic Relations Verified Financial Information
  A mandatory financial disclosure form exchanged between the parties within 28 days of the defendant's initial responsive pleading. It covers income, employment, assets, real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, insurance, and debts.

• FOC 23, Verified Statement
  Required when the case involves a minor child or when child or spousal support is requested. It provides detailed financial and personal information to the Friend of the Court.

Forms for Divorces With Children

When minor children are involved, Michigan requires additional forms addressing custody, parenting time, and support. The Friend of the Court (FOC) office is automatically involved in these cases.

• MC 416, Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) Affidavit
  Required whenever custody or parenting time will be determined or modified; it documents the children's residential history over the past 5 years to establish jurisdiction.

• FOC 10, Uniform Child Support Order
  The standard statewide child support order entered in cases with Friend of the Court services. The amount is calculated using the Michigan Child Support Formula.

• FOC 10a, Uniform Child Support Order, No Friend of the Court Services
  A child support order for cases that are exempt from Friend of the Court services.

• FOC 10d, Deviation Addendum to Uniform Child Support Order
  Required when child support deviates from the Michigan Child Support Formula; the court must state the basis for the deviation.

• FOC 89, Order Regarding Custody and Parenting Time
  Establishes legal and physical custody and a parenting time schedule; it is typically attached to the child support order.

One important note: child support in Michigan is computed using the statewide Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF), not a simple fill-in worksheet. The number is calculated through software and then reflected in FOC 10.

Settlement or Agreement Forms

If you and your spouse reach an agreement, these forms are used to document support obligations and to ask the court to enter your agreed-upon terms.

• FOC 10b, Uniform Spousal Support Order
  Enters and enforces a spousal support (alimony) obligation in cases with Friend of the Court involvement.

• CCFD 25, Petition (Consent Judgment)
  Used when both parties have reached a full agreement; it asks the court to enter the accompanying proposed final judgment without a trial.

• CCFD 26, Notice of Request to Enter Consent Judgment/Order
  A procedural notice filed in connection with a consent judgment, giving the opposing party and the Friend of the Court time to object before the judgment is entered.

Finalizing Your Case

These documents bring the divorce to a close.

• FOC 100, Domestic Relations Judgment Information
  Filed with the Friend of the Court when the first temporary or final custody, parenting time, or support order is entered; required at final judgment in all cases involving children.

• Judgment of Divorce (no standard SCAO form number; court-drafted or prepared with a DIY tool)
  The final signed order that dissolves the marriage and resolves all issues, including property, support, and, if applicable, custody and parenting time. Michigan does not publish a single numbered statewide Judgment of Divorce form. Parties typically prepare the judgment using the Michigan Legal Help DIY Judgment of Divorce tool or a county-supplied template.

Where to Get Michigan Divorce Forms

There are several places to find Michigan divorce forms. The right source depends on how much support you want and how complex your situation is.

Official State Courts Site

Michigan's SCAO-approved domestic relations forms are published for free on the state court website at courts.michigan.gov. This is the authoritative source for the MC, FOC, CC, and CCFD forms described above. The forms are also available at the legacy URL, courts.michigan.gov/Administration/SCAO/Forms.

County Clerk or Circuit Court

Divorces in Michigan are filed in the circuit court, and some counties require additional local cover sheets, local financial disclosure addenda, or specific formatting for the proposed judgment. Because the Judgment of Divorce is not a single numbered statewide form, some counties (such as Cass County) publish their own templates. Checking with your local circuit court clerk before filing can help you avoid missing a county-specific document.

Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org) offers free do-it-yourself interview tools that generate completed forms, including the Judgment of Divorce. These self-help resources are a common way Michigan residents prepare their paperwork when no standardized SCAO judgment form exists.

Online Divorce Services

If you'd rather not assemble the forms yourself, an online service can do the heavy lifting. Divorce.com guides you through a simple questionnaire and helps prepare the Michigan forms that fit your situation, so you're not left guessing which document goes where. This can be especially helpful in uncontested cases where both spouses are cooperating.

Hire an Attorney

For complicated finances, custody disputes, or situations where you simply want professional guidance, hiring a Michigan family law attorney is always an option. An attorney can prepare and review your documents and advise you on your specific circumstances.

The Michigan Divorce Process

While every case is different, most Michigan divorces follow the same general path. Here's what the process typically looks like.

1. Confirm Residency

Before filing, at least one spouse must meet Michigan's residency requirement: either spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing. The case is filed in the county where either party has resided for at least 10 days prior to filing.

2. File the Complaint

The plaintiff files the MC 01a Complaint for Divorce, the MC 01 Summons (issued by the clerk), and the MC 21 Confidential Case Inventory. In cases with children or where support is requested, the FOC 23 Verified Statement is also filed.

3. Serve Your Spouse

The defendant is served with the Summons and Complaint. They then have 21 days after service to file an MC 03 Answer. If they do not respond in time, the case may proceed by default using the MC 07 Default Request and Entry.

4. Exchange Financial Disclosures

The parties exchange the CC 320 Domestic Relations Verified Financial Information within 28 days of the defendant's initial responsive pleading. This step gives both sides a clear picture of income, assets, and debts before property and support are resolved.

5. Observe the Waiting Period

Michigan imposes a mandatory waiting period before a divorce can be finalized: 60 days from filing if there are no minor children, and 180 days (6 months) from filing if minor children are involved. The court may shorten the 180-day period to a minimum of 60 days on a showing of unusual hardship or other compelling reasons.

6. Finalize the Judgment and Get Certified Copies

Once the waiting period has passed and all issues are resolved, the court enters the Judgment of Divorce. In cases with children, FOC 100 Domestic Relations Judgment Information is filed with the Friend of the Court. After the judgment is signed, you can request certified copies for your records and for updating accounts and titles.

Michigan-Specific Requirements You Should Know

A few features of Michigan divorce law set it apart, and understanding them up front can save you from surprises.

Residency. Either spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing, and the case must be filed in a county where either party has resided for at least 10 days prior to filing.

Property division: equitable distribution. Michigan is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Property is divided fairly, which is generally equal, but the court may deviate based on factors such as fault or need (MCL 552.19). Michigan does not use community property, and there is no covenant marriage in Michigan.

Grounds: no-fault only. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. The sole ground is that "there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved." Michigan does not have fault-based grounds for divorce, though marital fault may factor into how property is divided.

Waiting period. The mandatory wait is 60 days from filing with no minor children, or 180 days (6 months) with minor children, with the possibility of shortening the longer period to a minimum of 60 days for unusual hardship or other compelling reasons.

Two paths to finalize an uncontested divorce. Michigan offers two main procedural routes: (1) Default, where the defendant does not respond and the plaintiff proceeds by default; and (2) Consent Judgment, where both parties agree and jointly submit a proposed judgment using CCFD 25 and CCFD 26. A third path, the Collaborative Law Process (CCFD 24), allows parties to request entry of a negotiated judgment through a collaborative process.

Friend of the Court (FOC). In all divorce cases involving minor children, the Friend of the Court office is automatically involved and oversees enforcement of custody, parenting time, and support orders.

Parenting education (SMILE program). Most Michigan circuit courts require both parents in divorces involving minor children to complete the SMILE (Start Making It Livable for Everyone) parenting education program before the final judgment is entered. Because this is imposed by local court administrative order rather than a single statewide statute, details such as cost (around $25 per parent) and whether it is offered in person or online vary by county. Confirm the requirement with your local Friend of the Court office.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few avoidable missteps tend to slow Michigan divorces down. Here are some to watch for.

Overlooking County-Specific Requirements

Because the Judgment of Divorce is not a single numbered statewide form, and because some counties require extra local cover sheets or formatting, filing without checking your local circuit court can lead to rejected paperwork. Confirm local requirements before you file.

Missing the Financial Disclosure Deadline

The CC 320 Verified Financial Information is exchanged within 28 days of the defendant's initial responsive pleading. Letting this deadline slip can delay your case.

Forgetting the SMILE Class in Cases With Children

In most counties, both parents must complete the SMILE parenting education program before the judgment is entered. Because details vary locally, it's worth confirming early with the Friend of the Court office so it doesn't hold up your final judgment.

Assuming the Waiting Period Can Be Skipped

The statutory waiting period applies even in fully agreed cases. While the 180-day period for cases with children can sometimes be shortened to 60 days, that requires a showing of unusual hardship or other compelling reasons; it is not automatic.

Misunderstanding How Child Support Is Calculated

Child support is computed using the Michigan Child Support Formula through software, not a simple worksheet, and the result is reflected in FOC 10. Any deviation from the formula requires FOC 10d and a stated basis from the court.

How Divorce.com Can Help

Sorting through SCAO forms, county quirks, and Friend of the Court requirements is a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is designed to make an uncontested Michigan divorce feel manageable by turning a confusing pile of paperwork into a guided, step-by-step experience.

• A simple online questionnaire that helps identify the Michigan forms relevant to your situation

• Completed, ready-to-review documents prepared from your answers, so you're not deciphering form numbers alone

• Plain-language guidance through each stage, from starting the case to finalizing the judgment

• Support for cases with and without children, including the additional custody and support forms Michigan requires

• A more affordable, lower-stress alternative to handling everything yourself when your divorce is uncontested