Michigan Divorce Causes

When your marriage is falling apart, understanding Michigan divorce causes and the legal grounds for ending your marriage can help you move forward with confidence. Whether you're experiencing the pain of infidelity, struggling with financial stress, or simply feeling that you and your spouse have grown apart, knowing what legally qualifies as grounds for divorce in Michigan, and what common factors lead couples to that decision, provides clarity during an emotionally difficult time.

Michigan divorce causes fall into two categories: the legal grounds required to file for divorce under Michigan law, and the underlying personal reasons that lead couples to decide their marriages cannot continue. While Michigan's no-fault divorce system means you don't need to prove wrongdoing to end your marriage, understanding both the legal requirements and common relationship problems that cause divorce helps you navigate this life-changing process.

Michigan's No-Fault Divorce Grounds

The most fundamental aspect of understanding Michigan divorce causes is recognizing that Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. This legal framework significantly affects what you must prove, or rather, what you don't have to prove, when you file for divorce.

The Only Legal Ground Required

Under Michigan law, there is only one ground for divorce that you must establish. To file a complaint for divorce in circuit court, your complaint must state that "there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved."

This legal language essentially means your marriage has irretrievably broken down, it's damaged beyond repair and there's no reasonable chance of reconciliation. You don't need to explain specifically what caused the breakdown or prove that your spouse did anything wrong. The complaint simply needs to include this standard language indicating the marriage cannot be saved.

The phrase "objects of matrimony" refers to the fundamental purposes and goals of marriage, companionship, mutual support, intimacy, partnership, and building a life together. When these core purposes have been destroyed with no realistic possibility of restoration, Michigan law recognizes that continuing the marriage serves no purpose and allows divorce.

What No-Fault Means for You

Michigan's no-fault divorce system offers several important advantages compared to fault-based divorce systems used in some other states:

You Don't Need to Prove Wrongdoing: Unlike fault-based divorce systems, you don't have to provide evidence of adultery, abandonment, cruelty, abuse, or any other marital misconduct to get divorced. You simply need to demonstrate that the marriage relationship has broken down.
Your Spouse Cannot Prevent the Divorce: Only one spouse needs to believe the marriage is over. Even if your spouse objects, wants to stay married, or denies the grounds for divorce, the Michigan court will grant the divorce as long as you meet residency requirements and prove the marriage has broken down. This unilateral nature of no-fault divorce means you're not trapped in a marriage against your will.
Reduced Conflict: Not requiring accusations and proof of fault generally makes divorce less adversarial and acrimonious. You don't need to publicly air your spouse's wrongdoings or engage in bitter battles over who's to blame for the marriage failure. This reduced conflict is particularly beneficial when children are involved, as it helps preserve the possibility of cooperative co-parenting.
Privacy Protection: Your private marital issues don't need to be aired in court documents or proceedings just to obtain a divorce. The details of your relationship problems, infidelities, or other personal matters can remain private unless they become relevant to contested issues like property division or spousal support.
Faster Resolution: Without the need to gather evidence of fault, conduct investigations, or have fault-based hearings, no-fault divorces can often be resolved more quickly and efficiently.

When Fault Still Matters

Although Michigan law doesn't require proving fault to get divorced, a spouse's behavior during the marriage can still affect certain divorce outcomes. Michigan courts have discretion to consider fault when making decisions about:

Spousal Support: Courts may consider marital misconduct when determining whether to award spousal support (alimony), how much to award, and for how long. A spouse who engaged in serious misconduct, such as infidelity, financial irresponsibility, substance abuse, or domestic violence, might receive less support or be required to pay more. However, fault is just one factor among many that courts consider, not the sole determining factor.

Property Division: While Michigan uses equitable distribution principles requiring fair (not necessarily equal) property division, judges can consider a spouse's conduct during the marriage when dividing property and debt. A spouse who wasted marital assets through gambling, extramarital affairs, or other irresponsible behavior might receive a smaller share of marital property. Similarly, a spouse who hid assets or engaged in financial misconduct may face consequences in property division.

It's important to understand that while fault can influence these decisions, Michigan's no-fault system means fault doesn't determine whether you can get divorced, only certain terms of the divorce settlement.

Common Personal Reasons for Divorce in Michigan

While only one legal ground exists for Michigan divorce, countless personal reasons lead couples to conclude their marriages have irretrievably broken down. Understanding these common Michigan divorce causes helps you recognize that you're not alone and provides insight into relationship dynamics that destroy marriages.

Infidelity and Affairs

Infidelity ranks among the most devastating and common causes of divorce in Michigan and nationwide. When one spouse engages in an affair, whether physical, emotional, or both, it fundamentally betrays the trust that marriages are built upon.

Why Infidelity Causes Divorce:

Destroys trust that's difficult or impossible to rebuild
Creates profound feelings of betrayal, anger, and hurt
Often reveals deeper problems in the marriage
Can involve lies and deception that compound the betrayal
May indicate the unfaithful spouse has emotionally left the marriage
Creates questions about the entire relationship's authenticity

Some couples attempt reconciliation after infidelity through counseling and rebuilding trust. However, many find the damage too severe to repair, making divorce the only viable option to move forward. Even when couples try to reconcile, the affair often causes lingering resentment and trust issues that eventually lead to divorce.

Research consistently identifies infidelity as one of the top causes of divorce. The emotional devastation caused by a partner's betrayal makes continuing the marriage relationship unbearable for many people, leading them to conclude that the objects of matrimony have indeed been destroyed.

Financial Problems and Disagreements

Money issues create significant stress in marriages and frequently contribute to divorce. Financial problems take many forms and affect couples at all income levels.

Common Financial Issues That Cause Divorce:

Overwhelming debt (credit cards, student loans, medical bills)
Unemployment or job loss affecting household income
Disagreements about spending priorities and habits
One spouse hiding money or making major purchases without discussion
Different attitudes toward saving versus spending
Financial infidelity (secret accounts, hidden debts, undisclosed spending)
Business failures or investment losses
Inability to meet basic household expenses
Arguments about money management and budgeting
Resentment over unequal financial contributions

Financial stress doesn't just cause arguments, it creates anxiety, blame, and feelings of insecurity that poison the marriage relationship. When couples can't communicate effectively about money or work together toward shared financial goals, these problems compound over time until the marriage relationship breaks down.

Economic research shows strong correlations between financial stress and divorce rates. Couples struggling financially experience higher divorce rates than financially stable couples, though money problems affect marriages at all economic levels.

Lack of Communication and Growing Apart

Communication breakdown ranks among the most cited Michigan divorce causes. When partners stop effectively communicating, they become emotionally distant, misunderstand each other, and feel increasingly disconnected.

Signs of Communication Breakdown:

Avoiding difficult conversations to prevent conflict
Feeling unheard or dismissed when you try to talk
Criticism and contempt replacing respectful dialogue
Stonewalling (refusing to engage in conversations)
Inability to resolve conflicts constructively
Spending less time together and sharing less about your lives
Feeling like roommates rather than romantic partners
Loss of emotional and physical intimacy
Pursuing separate interests with no shared activities

As communication deteriorates, couples "grow apart", they develop separate lives, interests, and goals that no longer align. This gradual distancing means the partnership and companionship that are fundamental objects of matrimony no longer exist, leaving the marriage an empty shell.

Many couples experiencing communication problems report feeling lonely despite being married. This loneliness, combined with the inability to connect meaningfully with their spouse, leads them to conclude the marriage relationship has broken down to the extent that it cannot be preserved.

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other substances and behaviors wreaks havoc on marriages. When one spouse struggles with addiction, it affects every aspect of the relationship.

How Addiction Destroys Marriages:

Creates financial hardship through money spent on substances or gambling
Leads to unreliable behavior and broken promises
Causes mood swings, anger, and sometimes violence
Results in neglect of family responsibilities and children
Erodes trust through lies and deception about the addiction
May lead to legal problems that affect the family
Creates health problems that burden the family
Prevents emotional intimacy and genuine connection
Often involves denial that prevents addressing the problem

The spouse without addiction often feels like they're in a relationship with the substance rather than their partner. They may enable the addiction, exhaust themselves trying to fix their spouse, or eventually reach a breaking point where they recognize the marriage cannot continue unless the addicted spouse commits to recovery.

Many people stay in marriages hoping their spouse will overcome addiction, but when years pass without genuine recovery efforts, they conclude the marriage relationship has broken down. The stress, disappointment, and dysfunction created by addiction make it one of the serious causes of Michigan divorces.

Domestic Violence and Abuse

Domestic violence encompasses physical assault, sexual assault, emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, financial control, stalking, intimidation, and threats. Abuse represents one of the most serious Michigan divorce causes and creates urgent safety concerns.

Forms of Domestic Abuse:

Physical violence (hitting, pushing, restraining, injuring)
Sexual assault or coercion
Emotional abuse (insults, humiliation, constant criticism)
Isolation from friends and family
Financial control (preventing work, controlling all money)
Threats against the victim or children
Destruction of property or harming pets to intimidate
Stalking and monitoring behavior

Domestic violence isn't about isolated incidents, it's about power and control. Abusers use these behaviors to dominate their partners and maintain control over the relationship. This fundamental violation of respect, safety, and equality destroys any possibility of a healthy marriage relationship.

Leaving an abusive marriage is often dangerous, as violence can escalate when the abused spouse attempts to leave. However, staying in an abusive relationship isn't sustainable or safe. Many abuse victims eventually reach a point where they recognize that ending the marriage is necessary for their safety and wellbeing, as well as for any children involved.

Michigan courts take domestic violence very seriously when making decisions about custody, parenting time, and property division. If you're experiencing domestic violence, resources are available to help you safely leave the relationship and protect yourself during the divorce process.

Incompatibility and Irreconcilable Differences

Sometimes marriages end not because of dramatic problems like infidelity or abuse, but because couples simply aren't compatible. They may have different values, life goals, personalities, or visions for their future that cannot be reconciled.

Signs of Fundamental Incompatibility:

Different views on having or raising children
Incompatible life goals and priorities
Conflicting values around religion, politics, or lifestyle
Personality clashes that create constant friction
Different needs for intimacy, companionship, or independence
Incompatible communication styles
Mismatched expectations about marriage
Realizing you want different things from life
Feeling like you're fundamentally different people than when you married

The phrase "irreconcilable differences" describes situations where couples have tried to make the marriage work but cannot overcome their fundamental incompatibilities. These aren't problems that can be fixed through better communication or counseling, they're core differences that make building a satisfying life together impossible.

Many couples experiencing incompatibility report simply falling out of love or realizing they married the wrong person. While there may be no villain in these divorces, the marriage relationship has nonetheless broken down because the partnership, mutual understanding, and shared vision that should characterize marriage don't exist.

Getting Married Too Young

Age at marriage strongly correlates with divorce risk. Couples who marry in their late teens or early twenties face significantly higher divorce rates than those who marry later.

Why Young Marriages Often End in Divorce:

Partners haven't fully developed their identities and may grow into different people
Lack of life experience makes navigating challenges difficult
May not have figured out important values and priorities
Financial instability common among young couples
May have married for wrong reasons (pregnancy, pressure, infatuation)
Haven't developed communication and conflict resolution skills
May not have had enough relationship experience to choose compatible partners

Research from the Institute of Family Studies shows that marriages between people 25 or older are 50% less likely to end in divorce than marriages between people in their early twenties. The additional maturity, life experience, and self-knowledge that comes with age helps people choose more compatible partners and navigate marriage challenges more effectively.

Many people who married young report that they simply outgrew each other, they became different people with different goals than when they married as teenagers or very young adults. This growing apart represents a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony can no longer be fulfilled.

Lack of Commitment

Commitment means consistently choosing to invest in your marriage, prioritize your spouse, and work through difficulties rather than giving up. When one or both spouses stop being committed, the marriage deteriorates.

Signs of Commitment Problems:

Putting minimal effort into the relationship
Considering divorce at the first sign of difficulty
Refusing to work on problems or attend counseling
Prioritizing individual needs over the marriage
Making major decisions without considering your spouse
Keeping one foot out the door emotionally
Maintaining inappropriate relationships with others as backup options

Research consistently identifies lack of commitment as a leading cause of divorce. When partners aren't truly committed to making the marriage work, they don't put in the effort needed to overcome challenges, resolve conflicts, or maintain intimacy. This lack of investment causes the relationship to wither.

Some people enter marriage without fully committing, keeping their options open. Others lose commitment over time as problems accumulate or they become attracted to others. Regardless of how commitment erodes, once it's gone, the marriage relationship breaks down because partners are no longer truly invested in preserving it.

How Common Divorce Causes Affect Your Michigan Case

Understanding the connection between the underlying reasons for your divorce and how your case proceeds helps you prepare appropriately and set realistic expectations.

Impact on Spousal Support Decisions

While Michigan's no-fault system means you don't need to prove fault to get divorced, the behaviors that caused your marriage to fail can influence spousal support (alimony) decisions.

Fault Factors That May Affect Spousal Support:

Infidelity, especially if marital funds were spent on the affair
Financial misconduct like gambling away savings or hiding assets
Substance abuse that affected finances or employment
Domestic violence
Abandonment of the marriage

Judges have discretion to consider these fault-based factors alongside other considerations like length of marriage, each spouse's earning ability, standard of living during marriage, and contributions to the marriage. A spouse whose misconduct contributed to the marriage breakdown might receive less spousal support or be ordered to pay more to the other spouse.

However, it's important to understand that fault is just one factor among many. A judge won't deny all spousal support simply because a spouse had an affair, especially if that spouse has legitimate financial need and the marriage was long-term. Similarly, a spouse who was betrayed won't automatically receive permanent support just because their partner was unfaithful.

Impact on Property Division

Michigan courts divide marital property equitably (fairly) but not necessarily equally. While the starting point is usually an approximately equal division, judges can deviate from 50/50 splits based on various factors, including marital conduct.

How Divorce Causes May Affect Property Division:

Wasting marital assets on affairs, gambling, or substance abuse may result in that spouse receiving less property
Financial misconduct like hiding money or lying about assets can influence division
Domestic violence may be considered when determining fair division
Length of marriage and each spouse's contributions remain primary factors

Most of the time, fault has less impact on property division than on spousal support decisions. Courts focus primarily on fair division based on each spouse's contributions, needs, and circumstances rather than punishing bad behavior. However, egregious financial misconduct can definitely affect how property gets divided.

Impact on Custody and Parenting Time

When determining child custody and parenting time, Michigan courts focus exclusively on the best interests of the child using twelve specific factors. While the reasons for divorce may not directly affect custody, certain behaviors definitely matter:

Divorce Causes That Affect Custody Decisions:

Domestic violence strongly impacts custody and may result in supervised parenting time or sole custody to the non-violent parent
Substance abuse affects custody if it impacts parenting ability or child safety
Mental health issues related to divorce causes may be considered if they affect parenting
Infidelity generally doesn't affect custody unless the affair partner poses risks to children or the affair interfered with parenting

The key consideration is always the child's best interests and safety, not punishing a parent for causing the divorce. A parent who had an affair but is otherwise a good parent will typically still receive substantial parenting time. However, a parent whose substance abuse or violence endangers children will face significant custody restrictions.

Understanding Michigan's Residency Requirements to File

Before you can file a complaint for divorce in Michigan based on the breakdown of your marriage relationship, you must meet specific residency requirements that establish Michigan courts' authority over your case.

State Residency Requirement

Either you or your spouse must have lived in the State of Michigan for at least 180 days (approximately six months) immediately before filing your complaint for divorce. This 180-day residency requirement applies to Michigan as a whole, ensuring sufficient connection to the state to justify Michigan courts handling your divorce.

If neither you nor your spouse meets this requirement, you cannot file for divorce in Michigan yet. You'll need to wait until one of you has been a Michigan resident for the required period.

County Residency Requirement

In addition to the state residency requirement, either you or your spouse must have lived in the county where you plan to file for at least ten days immediately before filing. This shorter county requirement is easy to meet and gives you some flexibility in choosing where to file.

Most people file in the county where they currently live, but you can also file in the county where your spouse lives if that's more convenient. The ten-day county residency requirement is much less restrictive than the 180-day state requirement.

Special Circumstances Exception

Michigan law includes an exception to the standard county residency requirement in cases involving potential international parental kidnapping. You can file in any county without meeting the ten-day requirement if all of these conditions exist:

Your spouse was born in or is a citizen of a country other than the United States
You and your spouse have a child under 18 years old
The judge has reason to believe your child is at risk of being taken out of the United States by your spouse

This exception recognizes the urgent need for court intervention when a child might be abducted to another country.

Alternatives to Divorce in Michigan

Not everyone who experiences serious marital problems wants a divorce. Michigan law provides two alternatives that address some of the same issues as divorce but with important differences.

Separate Maintenance (Legal Separation)

Separate maintenance, sometimes called legal separation, is a court action that resolves many divorce-related issues while keeping the couple legally married. You file a complaint for separate maintenance using the same grounds as divorce, breakdown of the marriage relationship.

What Separate Maintenance Addresses:

Property and debt division
Spousal support
Child custody and parenting time (if applicable)
Child support (if applicable)

Why Choose Separate Maintenance:

Religious objections to divorce
Desire to maintain certain marriage benefits (like health insurance)
Uncertainty about whether you want to permanently end the marriage
Immigration considerations
Tax or financial advantages to remaining married

Important Limitations:

You remain legally married and cannot remarry
In opposite-sex marriages, any child born to the wife is legally the husband's child regardless of biological paternity
If one spouse files for separate maintenance and the other files a counterclaim for divorce, the court must treat the case as a divorce
You can later file for divorce if you change your mind, but you'll start a new case

Separate maintenance is relatively rare because it doesn't meet most divorcing couples' needs. Most people who want to end their marriage relationship want the finality and freedom that divorce provides, not the limbo of legal separation.

Annulment

Annulment is a court decision that your marriage never legally existed or was invalid from the beginning. Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, annulment declares the marriage was never valid.

Valid Grounds for Annulment in Michigan:

Bigamy: One spouse was still married to someone else when you married
Mental incompetence: One spouse lacked mental capacity to consent to marriage
Age: One spouse was too young to legally marry (under 16, or 16-17 without proper parental consent)
Close relatives: You and your spouse are too closely related by blood
Force or fraud: Your spouse forced you into marriage or lied about something essential to obtain your agreement

Important Annulment Facts:

Simply changing your mind shortly after marriage is not valid grounds
Religious annulments are separate from legal annulments
The result is similar to divorce, you're no longer married
Issues like property, children, and support still get addressed in the annulment order
Annulments are relatively rare because few situations meet the legal requirements

If you're considering separate maintenance or annulment, consulting with a family law attorney is strongly recommended. These alternatives have significant legal implications and may not be the best choice for your situation.

How to File for Divorce in Michigan Based on Marriage Breakdown

If you've concluded that your marriage relationship has broken down to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved, you're ready to begin the divorce process.

Preparing to File

Before filing your complaint for divorce, gather important information and documents:

Information You'll Need:

Your and your spouse's full legal names, addresses, and dates of birth
Date and place of your marriage
Confirmation that you meet residency requirements
Information about any children (names, dates of birth, current residence)
List of marital assets and debts
Income and employment information

Documents to Gather:

Marriage certificate
Birth certificates for any children
Tax returns (past 2-3 years)
Bank statements and financial account information
Property deeds and mortgage documents
Retirement account statements
Credit card statements
Pay stubs or other income documentation

Having this information ready makes completing divorce forms much easier and more accurate.

Filing Your Complaint for Divorce

To start your divorce, you file a Complaint for Divorce with the Family Division of the Circuit Court in the appropriate county. Your complaint must include the standard language about the breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.

Required Forms Include:

Summons
Complaint for Divorce (different versions for cases with and without minor children)
Verified Statement (providing financial and personal information)
Record of Divorce or Annulment (vital statistics form)

You can prepare these forms using the free Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool available through Michigan Legal Help, which guides you through questions and automatically completes all necessary forms based on your answers.

When you file, you'll pay filing fees (typically $175-$295 depending on whether children are involved). If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a fee waiver by demonstrating financial hardship.

Serving Your Spouse

After filing, you must formally serve your spouse with copies of the divorce papers. Service gives your spouse official notice of the divorce and an opportunity to respond. Methods include:

Acknowledgment of service (your spouse voluntarily signs acknowledging receipt)
Personal service by an adult not involved in the case
Service by registered or certified mail

Your spouse then has 21 or 28 days (depending on service method) to file an Answer responding to your complaint.

What Happens After You File

After filing your complaint stating that the marriage relationship has broken down, several things happen as your divorce proceeds.

Waiting Periods

Michigan law requires mandatory waiting periods before your divorce can be finalized:

60 days if you have no minor children together
180 days (six months) if you have minor children together

These waiting periods begin when you file your complaint, not when you separated. The waiting periods give couples time to reconsider and provide opportunities to resolve contested issues.

Responding to Your Spouse's Position

If your spouse files an Answer, they may admit or deny that the marriage relationship has broken down. However, even if your spouse denies the grounds for divorce, the judge isn't bound by that denial. If the judge determines based on evidence that the marriage has indeed broken down to the extent required by law, the divorce will be granted regardless of your spouse's objection.

Your spouse might also file a Counterclaim raising their own requests for property division, custody, support, or other relief.

Resolving Divorce Issues

Even though Michigan only requires proving marriage breakdown to get divorced, you still must resolve important issues:

Property and debt division
Spousal support (if applicable)
Child custody and parenting time (if applicable)
Child support (if applicable)

These issues can be resolved through:

Direct negotiation between you and your spouse
Mediation with a neutral third party
Settlement conferences with the judge
Trial if you cannot reach agreements

Most Michigan divorces settle without trial. Couples and their attorneys negotiate agreements on contested issues, the court reviews the settlement for fairness, and the divorce is finalized with the agreed terms.

Finalizing Your Divorce

After resolving all issues, you'll have a final hearing where at least one spouse testifies that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.

If the judge agrees that the marriage has irretrievably broken down, they'll sign the Judgment of Divorce officially ending your marriage and establishing all terms regarding property, support, custody, and other matters.

Getting Help with Your Michigan Divorce

Going through a divorce based on marriage breakdown is emotionally difficult even when you understand the legal process. Several resources can help you navigate this challenging time.

When to Consult an Attorney

Consider consulting with a family law attorney if:

Your spouse has hired an attorney
You and your spouse cannot agree on major issues
Significant assets or complex property are involved
You have concerns about child custody or safety
Domestic violence has occurred in your marriage
You suspect your spouse is hiding assets
You need guidance on spousal support issues
You're unsure whether divorce is the right choice

Many attorneys offer initial consultations to discuss your situation and explain your options. Even one consultation can provide valuable guidance as you decide how to proceed.

Moving Forward After Marriage Breakdown

The legal requirement is straightforward: you must demonstrate that there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. Meeting this requirement, along with Michigan's residency requirements, allows you to file for divorce in circuit court and begin resolving the practical issues of property division, support, and custody.

While the reasons your marriage ended may influence certain divorce outcomes, particularly spousal support and property division, Michigan law ensures that you can obtain a divorce based on marriage breakdown regardless of who's at fault or whether your spouse agrees. This no-fault system reduces conflict, protects privacy, and allows couples to move forward with their lives without engaging in bitter blame-filled battles.