MICHIGAN DIVORCE PAPERS WITH EXPLANATIONS

The documents listed below are the primary documents for a Michigan uncontested divorce. You will notice that some of the documents apply with children. If you do not have minor children, these documents are typically not required in a do it yourself divorce in Michigan.

Understanding the Michigan Divorce Papers:

• Summons: The Summons informs the defendant that he or she is being sued for divorce and gives him or her 20 days to answer the Complaint or take action within the court.
• Complaint for Divorce: The Complaint for divorce identifies the parties and establishes residency, and the ground for the action.
• Verified Statement: This statement identifies the parties in the case.
• Marital Settlement Agreement: A binding agreement between the parties, the MSA details the terms and conditions of the divorce, including custody and visitation and the division of assets and liabilities.
• Schedule for Visitation/Parenting Time of Minor Children: This schedule shows the visitation and parenting routine for the noncustodial parent.
• Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act Affidavit: This declaration certifies that the parties comply with the UCCJEA and establishes the place of residence of minor children involved in the action.
• Affidavit Regarding the Children (attach to UCCJEA Affidavit): This form establishes the parentage of a child and may be used to have information on the father of a child added to the certificate of birth for the child. It may be completed at the time of the child's birth or at any other time after the birth. The affidavit is voluntary; it indicates the parents wish to acknowledge parentage of a child.
• Michigan Child Support Formula Manual: This manual describes the complexities of child support in Michigan.
• Child Support Recommendation Worksheet A: This form yields the basic child support amount.
• Child Support Recommendation Worksheet B: This form is used when the court must consider adjustments to income when parents have existing support orders, or adjustments when there are second families, or adjustments to income when stepchildren are considered.
• Child Support Recommendation Worksheet C: This form calculates an adjusted child support income and is used when the parents have split custody or joint physical custody.
• Child Support Recommendation Worksheet D: This worksheet shows adjustments for child care expenses by apportioning them between the parties based on the percentages of their combined incomes.
• Child Support Recommendation Worksheet E: This form is used to calculate support for imputed or expected income.
• Agreement Suspending Immediate Income Withholding: This form provides for suspension of income withholding issued in compliance with court orders when the parties agree to alternative pay arrangements. Support orders include a provision for immediate income withholding and that income withholding take effect immediately unless the parties enter into a written agreement that the income withholding order shall not take effect immediately.
• Order Suspending Immediate Income Withholding: With court approval this order approves the agreement of the parties to suspend immediate income withholding.
• Answer and Waiver: The defendant uses this form to enter an appearance and waives notice of the final hearing and agrees to let the case proceed.
• Notice of Hearing: This form puts the parties on notice that the final hearing on the action is scheduled.
• Decree of Divorce: This is a court order that ends the marriage and incorporates the Marital Settlement Agreement.
• Record of Divorce or Annulment: This form becomes a record in the vital statistics of Michigan.