Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Michigan
Filing for divorce in Michigan costs a statewide civil action filing fee of $150, set by Michigan Compiled Laws 600.2529(1)(a). When your divorce involves determining or modifying the custody or parenting time of a minor child, an additional $80 fee applies under MCL 600.2529(1)(d)(i). That brings the total to $230 for most divorces involving children. This fee comes from state law, not county rules, so it works the same way in every Michigan circuit court. If you cannot afford the fee, Michigan lets you file a Fee Waiver Request, form MC 20, asking the court to waive it. This page covers what Michigan law and the State Court Administrative Office publish directly, and flags what you should confirm locally.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how cost and filing fees works under Michigan law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Michigan paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Filing fee: $150 base, $230 with a minor child custody or parenting time issue
Michigan Compiled Laws 600.2529(1)(a) sets a base civil action filing fee of $150 for filing a divorce. If the case also involves determining or modifying the custody or parenting time of a minor child, MCL 600.2529(1)(d)(i) adds an $80 fee, for a combined total of $230. A separate $40 fee applies when the action involves determining or modifying child support, but you won't owe it if you already paid the $80 custody/parenting-time fee, under MCL 600.2529(1)(d)(ii). Filing a motion in the case generally costs $20 under MCL 600.2529(1)(e). Demanding a jury trial costs $85 under MCL 600.2529(1)(c), though judges, not juries, typically decide divorce cases.
Fee waiver: Fee Waiver Request (MC 20)
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Michigan's State Court Administrative Office offers a statewide Fee Waiver Request, form MC 20. You qualify by receiving certain public assistance due to indigence, such as the Food Assistance Program (FAP/SNAP), Medicaid, the Family Independence Program (FIP/TANF), WIC, or federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You also qualify if a legal services program or law school clinic represents you because of indigence, or if your household income and expenses show you otherwise cannot pay. Prisoners filing this request must attach a certified statement of their trust account showing a 12-month history of deposits and withdrawals.
Service of process costs
After filing, your spouse must be formally served with the divorce complaint. Michigan allows service by a court officer, sheriff, or process server. Michigan Compiled Laws 600.2529 does not set one fixed statewide dollar amount for this service, since it is billed separately from the court filing fee. Confirm the current cost with the court officer, sheriff's office, or process server handling your case.
Parenting classes
Some Michigan circuit courts require parents in a divorce case involving minor children to complete a parenting education program, often called a SMILE program (Start Making It Livable for Everyone) in various counties. Local circuit court or friend of the court rule sets this requirement; it is not a statewide rule under MCL 600.2529. Check with the circuit court or friend of the court office where your case is filed to find out if a class applies and what it costs.
What drives the total cost up
Michigan's own filing fee statute shows how added issues raise cost directly: a custody or parenting-time determination adds $80, a support determination can add $40, and each motion filed afterward costs $20 under MCL 600.2529. Beyond these scheduled fees, a contested divorce involving discovery, additional motions, contested hearings, or expert witnesses such as appraisers or custody evaluators adds expense well beyond the base filing fee. Michigan's courts do not publish average attorney fee figures. This page does not estimate a total cost, since it depends on how contested the case becomes.
Sources: Michigan Legislature: MCL 600.2529 (civil action filing fees, $150 base / $80 custody-parenting time / $40 support / $20 motion), Michigan Courts (SCAO): Form MC 20, Fee Waiver Request, Michigan Courts homepage
Not independently confirmed
- Statewide court officer/sheriff/process server service fee
- Name/cost of local parenting education (SMILE) programs by circuit
- Any e-filing convenience fee for divorce case documents
Cost and Filing Fees in Michigan: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Michigan?+
Michigan's base civil filing fee is $150 under MCL 600.2529(1)(a). If the case involves determining or modifying the custody or parenting time of a minor child, an additional $80 fee applies. That brings the total to $230 for most divorces involving children.
Can I get my Michigan divorce filing fee waived?+
Yes. You can file a Fee Waiver Request, form MC 20, if you receive certain public assistance due to indigence, like SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, WIC, or SSI. You also qualify if a legal services program or law school clinic represents you, or if your household income shows you cannot afford the fee.
How much does it cost to serve divorce papers in Michigan?+
A court officer, sheriff, or process server typically handles service. Michigan's filing fee statute does not set one fixed statewide amount for this, since it is billed separately. Confirm the current cost with the officer, sheriff's office, or process server handling your case.
Do I have to take a parenting class if I have kids in a Michigan divorce?+
Some Michigan circuit courts and friend of the court offices require a parenting education program, sometimes called a SMILE program, for cases with minor children. Local rules set this requirement, not one statewide rule. Check with the circuit court or friend of the court office handling your case.
What makes a Michigan divorce cost more than the base filing fee?+
Michigan's filing fee law adds cost for specific issues: $80 for a custody or parenting-time determination, up to $40 for a child support determination, and $20 for each motion filed afterward. A contested case involving discovery or expert witnesses adds expense well beyond these scheduled fees.
Does Michigan publish average attorney fees for divorce?+
No. Michigan's court system does not publish average or typical attorney fee figures for divorce cases. Attorney fees vary by firm and by how contested the case becomes, so courts do not track or report this figure.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees in Michigan, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Michigan's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Michigan. Virdix does not prepare or file Michigan divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Michigan.
More Michigan divorce guides
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In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Michigan, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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