Michigan Divorce Mediation Information

Mediation is part of the divorce process in Michigan.

In Michigan, all divorce cases are heard in a county Circuit Court. In order to file for divorce, the filing party needs to have been a resident in the state for at least 180 days at the time of filing.

Jurisdiction

Filing for divorce in Michigan is done at the county Circuit Court in which the filing party resides, so long as they have lived in the county for at least 10 days. If the parties involved live in separate counties or states, the court in which divorce is first filed for retains jurisdiction for the case.

Mediation

Michigan divorce proceedings involve the appointment of a third party, or mediator, to hear and resolve the case. Often, the third party is another attorney or a representative of the state court's Friend of the Court division, which handles all divorce matters involving minor children.

Resolution

If the parties in a Michigan divorce case are unable to reach a mutual settlement, then the mediator will render an opinion on how the case should be resolved. If the case involves minor children, there is a state-mandated waiting period of six months before the divorce becomes final.

References

• Femminineo Attorneys, P.L.L.C.: Michigan's No Fault Divorce Act and the process of getting divorced
• Oakland County Michigan: Oakland County Friend of the Court