I LIVE IN MI BUT GOT MARRIED IN MD, CAN I GET MY DIVORCE HERE IN MI?
Question Details:
I LIVE IN MI BUT GOT MARRIED IN MD; I NEVER LIVED THERE. MY SOON TO BE EX-HUSBAND LIVES IN MD. CAN I GET MY DIVORCE FROM WHERE I LIVE IN MI AND NOT HAVE TO GO BACK THERE? I NEVER WAS A RESIDENT THERE. PLEASE HELP ME HE IS VERY ABUSIVE! IF I HAVE TO GO BACK THERE I WOULD NEVER MAKE IT HOME ALIVE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
You do not have to get divorced in the state in which you were married. You can get divorced in the state where you legally reside.
In order to file for a divorce in MI, residency requirements must be met for the court to accept the case. If the court discovers it does not have jurisdictional rights to hear the case it will not be accepted or it will eventually be dismissed. The requirements are as follows: a judgment of divorce shall not be granted by a court in this state in an action for divorce unless the complainant or defendant has resided in this state for 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint, the complainant or defendant has resided in the county in which the complaint is filed for 10 days immediately preceding the filing of the complaint. (Michigan Compiled Laws - Section: 552.9)
If you do not meet residentcy requirements than you can file in the state of which your are a legal resident or in the state where your spouse lives (and is a legal resident).
