How Do I File for Divorce in Oakland County?

Any divorce process starts with paperwork preparation. Obtain the necessary forms, fill them out, sign, and notarize the ones that need it. Take the papers required for initiating the case to the county court’s clerk and pay a filing fee.

Take the time-stamped copies from the clerk and serve one set of copies on the other party within 90 days to officially notify them about the commenced case. According to Michigan law, you cannot deliver the documents on your own, so you need to ask someone else to do that and file a completed Proof of Service form with the court.

The other party must respond to the divorce papers within 21 days or 28 days if they were served in another state. They should file an Answer with the court and serve the copy on you. If the respondent does not answer in time, you may have a default divorce by filing a corresponding request.

Michigan courts impose a mandatory waiting period that starts on the day you file the Complaint and lasts for 60 days for couples without minor kids or 6 months if you have minor children. The court cannot review your case until this time expires.

After the waiting period, you should schedule the final hearing date and file a Notice of Hearing. Bring the papers required to finalize the divorce with you and answer the judge’s questions in the courtroom.

When all the matters are discussed and approved, the judge will sign the final Judgment of Divorce. You should file it with the county court’s clerk to get the certified copies that officially finalize your marriage.