What are the grounds for divorce?

In Michigan, there are two primary grounds for divorce: no-fault and fault. Under no-fault divorce, either spouse can seek a divorce, without alleging any particular act or behavior of the other spouse. This means that neither spouse is "at fault" or "innocent," and no specific reason for the divorce needs to be provided. Under fault divorce, one spouse must allege and prove that the other has committed a specific act which justifies a divorce. These acts can include adultery, physical or mental cruelty, abandonment, confinement in prison, and/or conviction for a felony. Michigan also allows a couple to pursue a divorce on the grounds of "irreconcilable differences," which is a type of no-fault divorce. To be successful, a spouse must show the court that the marriage has been broken down to the point that there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. This is often proven by showing that parties have lived separately for at least one year. No matter which ground a spouse chooses to pursue, he or she must still meet certain residency requirements in order to file for a divorce in the state of Michigan. Either the petitioner or the respondent must have been a resident of the state for at least 180 days prior to the filing.

Related FAQs

Who pays for the divorce?
How is a prenuptial agreement enforced?
What is the difference between a contested and uncontested divorce?
How is the division of debt determined?
What is the difference between an uncontested and contested divorce?
How do I start a divorce process?
What is a default judgment?
How can I get a copy of my divorce decree?
What is a marital settlement agreement?
What are the benefits of a short-term marriage divorce?

What are the grounds for divorce?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts