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EspañolWhat are the grounds for divorce in Michigan?
Grounds are legally acceptable reasons for divorce. Under Michigan law, a complaint for divorce can be filed in circuit court only based on what is commonly known as an “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.” To file for divorce, 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.” You do not need to give an explanation in your complaint other than using the language in the law stated above.1
Your spouse can submit an answer and can agree (“admit the grounds”) or disagree (“deny the grounds”) without including an explanation. The judge will consider your spouse’s admission of the grounds for divorce, but his/her admission is not binding on the judge’s decision.2
Based on evidence presented in court, if the judge decides that your marriage has suffered a breakdown to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed, and there is no likelihood that your marriage can be repaired, the judge will grant you a divorce.3
1 M.C.L. § 552.6(1)
2 M.C.L. § 552.6(2)
3 M.C.L. § 552.6(3)
