Divorce is a challenging life event. You have to navigate the emotional, financial, and legal consequences of ending a marriage, while also contending with the expense of the divorce process itself.
It's hard to predict exactly how much your divorce will cost, but you can better prepare yourself if you have an idea of how much a typical divorce in your area costs and what factors can increase or decrease divorce expenses.
The Cost of Divorce Lawyers in Michigan
Many people getting divorced hire a lawyer to help them navigate the process. A lawyer can answer your questions and advocate for you during negotiations and in court. But that kind of help doesn't come cheap. If you hire a lawyer, your lawyer's bill will account for most of your divorce-related expenses. The total amount of the bill will depend on your lawyer's hourly rate and the number of hours the lawyer has to spend on your case.
How Much Do Michigan Divorce Lawyers Charge per Hour?
In 2019, we studied the fees and billing practices reported by Michigan family law attorneys. The Michigan attorneys in our study reported their minimum and maximum hourly rates. The statewide minimum was $225 per hour, while the average maximum was $270 per hour.
Average rates are likely to be higher now. According to Clio, a legal technology company, the average hourly rate for a family law attorney practicing in Michigan in 2023 was $313. Michigan rates were consistent with the national average hourly rate for family law attorneys that year ($312).
Lawyers consider various factors when setting their rates, including:
- Location and size of the firm. Attorneys with offices in cities with a higher cost of living like Ann Arbor and East Grand Rapids, usually charge higher hourly rates than their counterparts in small towns and rural areas. It’s common for lawyers in large, prestigious firms to cost more than lawyers in small firms or solo practitioners.
- Expertise in family law. Experienced attorneys who specialize in family law charge more per hour than newer practitioners with less expertise. Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean higher total bills for family law specialists. Experienced lawyers may charge more per hour, but require fewer hours overall to complete your case.
- The cost of support staff. Lawyers often rely on specially trained paralegals and other support staff. Support staff can bill for substantive legal work but at a much lower rate than lawyers, which can potentially save you money. As reported by Clio, the average hourly rate for nonlawyers working on cases in Michigan in 2023 was $138.
What’s the Typical Total Cost for a Michigan Divorce Lawyer?
Many people who can afford legal representation opt for “full-scope” representation, meaning that the attorney handles everything in the case from start to finish. Another option is to hire a “consulting attorney” who offers "limited scope" or "unbundled" services to help with a clearly defined part of the case, such as preparing or reviewing a separation agreement.
In 2019 and, before that, in 2015, we surveyed readers who had recently gotten divorced. Our survey revealed that the total cost of a full-scope attorney in a typical Michigan divorce ranged from about $9,500 to $11,300. But you could pay much more or less depending on your circumstances. (More on that below.)
How Much Does a DIY or Online Divorce Cost in Michigan?
You don't have to hire a lawyer in Michigan to get a divorce. You can choose to do it yourself or file for divorce online.
DIY Divorce (“Pro Se Divorce”)
If you decide to handle your own divorce, you'll have to:
- follow state and local divorce laws and procedures
- find and complete all the necessary divorce forms
- serve your spouse with the forms
- go to court, and
- get a final divorce decree.
Many of the forms you'll need are published by the Michigan Courts. And Michigan Legal Help offers a Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool that helps you fill out the necessary forms. But even a DIY divorce isn't free—you'll still have to invest your time and pay filing fees.
Online Divorce
Online divorce is an increasingly popular option for people who would like to keep costs down and save themselves some time. An online divorce service guides you through the paperwork you need for your situation and then tells you how to file it. The cost of online divorce services varies, but it's typically in the $150 to $750 range, with extra charges for additional services (such as filing the paperwork with the court for you).
DIY and online divorce aren't appropriate in all situations. You might be a good candidate for these lower-cost options if:
- you and your spouse agree on all of the important issues in your divorce
- you're aware of all of your marital assets and have access to your financial records
- your spouse isn't represented by a lawyer, and
- a power imbalance or domestic violence hasn't been a part of the relationship.
How Disputes and Trial Affect the Cost of Divorce in Michigan
Many divorcing couples fight over one or more important issues, particularly:
- child custody and support
- how to divide your marital property and debts, and
- alimony (spousal support).
Resolving disputes takes time and money. Your lawyer will have to gather and exchange information about your case in a process called “discovery,” conduct depositions, and try to negotiate a settlement agreement. If your spouse is uncooperative (for instance, by refusing to turn over required documents), or if one of you requests a temporary support order, your attorney may have to prepare motions and attend court hearings on the issue. If you aren’t able to settle your disputes, it will take even more time for your lawyer to prepare for and handle a divorce trial.
We looked at the impact of disputes involving important issues on divorce costs in our 2019 survey and learned the following:
- The average total cost of a Michigan divorce when there were no contested issues was $3,400 to $4,000.
- Cases involving one dispute but no trial cost between $5,000 and $5,900.
- Cases involving two disputes but no trial cost more—$8,600 to $10,200.
- Going to trial on one issue brought the average costs up to $11,800 to $14,000. Trial on two or more disputes costs even more.
Filing Fees and Other Divorce Costs
Whether or not you hire a lawyer, you’ll have to pay a fee to file your divorce paperwork with the court, unless you request and qualify for a fee waiver. As of 2023, the civil filing fee for a divorce in Michigan was $175 (including a $25 electronic filing system fee). Additional fees apply to cases involving disputes over child custody or parenting time ($80) and child support ($40).
Other potential divorce expenses include:
- mediation costs
- a child custody evaluation, and
- fees for other experts like certified accountants and investigators.
Our national survey showed that the average for these non-lawyer divorce costs was $1,600. Here again, your actual costs will depend on the complexity of your case.
How Long Does Divorce Take in Michigan?
To get a divorce in Michigan, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for 180 days immediately before filing a complaint, and one of you must have lived in the county where the complaint is filed for at least 10 days before the filing date. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.9 (2023).)
After you've filed your divorce papers, you and your spouse will have to attend a court hearing before you can get your final divorce, even if your divorce is uncontested. You'll have to wait at least 60 days before the hearing date. If you have minor children, you'll typically have to wait at least six months. The actual time it takes to schedule a hearing might be longer than the mandatory waiting periods depending on the court's schedule. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.9f (2023).)
The Michigan Supreme Court sets time guidelines for lower courts' case management. According to Administrative Order No. 2013-12:
- Divorces without children. 85% of couples without children should be able to finalize their divorce within 182 days of filing, and 98% within 364 days.
- Divorces with children. 85% of couples with children should be able to finalize their divorce within 301 days of filing, and 95% within 364 days.
These are guidelines only, not guarantees. Your divorce might take more or less time depending on many factors, including the length of the marriage, the amount of marital property to divide, and the level of conflict in your divorce.
More Information and Resources on Michigan Divorce
Divorce in Michigan can be expensive and time-consuming—not to mention emotionally draining. If your situation involves a custody dispute, complicated financial issues, or significant conflict, talk to a divorce lawyer.
But not everyone needs (or can afford) a divorce lawyer. Other options include representing yourself, using an online service, and going to mediation. For help choosing the right path for your divorce, you can check out Divorcenet’s quiz.
And here are more resources on divorce in Michigan:
