Michigan divorce with children has specific guidelines that must be followed in order to ensure the best outcome for all involved. All parties must complete a Domestic Relations Affidavit which includes documents such as an Income and Expense Declaration and Parenting Time Plan, if necessary. In addition, both spouses should enter into a Marital Settlement Agreement or have the court decide matters of asset division, child custody, support payments, and other matters. To formalize the resolution of issues pertaining to the children, parents may be encouraged to participate in mediation or other alternative dispute resolution processes. The court may also issue temporary parenting time orders while awaiting a final determination on more permanent arrangements.
Explaining divorce to children
Explaining divorce to children can be tough. If you’re going through a divorce, it can be hard to explain the situation in a calm and casual way. The best thing you can do is reassure them that you both will still be there for them even if you are no longer together – emphasize that they won’t lose either of your attentiveness or love. It’s important to make sure they understand that a divorce isn’t necessarily the result of anything they might have done and ensure they know it’s OK to express how they are feeling. Try to avoid blame and focus on how the decision affects them, speaking in neutral terms about why this happened and what comes next – like shared custody arrangements, for example – as well as talking about any changes that could happen which would directly affect them.
Alimony and Support Laws
Divorce in Michigan is governed by the Michigan Compiled Laws. In filing for divorce in Michigan, a Petition for Divorce must be filed with the court clerk of the county in which either party resides. This petition must contain information regarding both parties, including their marriage and children, if applicable.
Read the laws in detail by clicking the links below. This will take you to the Michigan Compiled Laws website which will have the most current information.
COLLECTION OF ALIMONY OR SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE
Act 379 of 1913
AN ACT to facilitate the collection of alimony and support and maintenance for minor children or for children who are 18 years of age or older ordered to be paid in suits for divorce or separate maintenance.
The People of the State of Michigan enact:
| Document | Type | Description |
| Section 552.151 | Section | Alimony or support and maintenance order in suit for divorce or separate maintenance; petition; punishment for neglect or violation. |
| Section 552.152 | Section | Payments in default; motion; attachment; “state disbursement unit” or “SDU” defined. |
| Section 552.153 | Section | Order for payment; demand or notice not necessity. |
| Section 552.154 | Section | Attachment; arrest, custody of party. |
| Section 552.155 | Section | Attachment; discharge by execution of bond, court order. |
| Section 552.156 | Section | Transition to centralized receipt and disbursement of support and fees. |
- Divorce laws in Michigan
- Divorce without Children in Michigan
- Divorce Law in Michigan
- Steps to Getting a Divorce in Michigan
- Some Common Causes of Divorce
As with everything – laws, rules, regulations, statues, licensing, etc… change and evolve. Before acting upon any information found on this site or the internet, please consult a local attorney experienced in family law or divorce law.