Divorce is an emotional and often complicated time in your life, even if you are the spouse initiating the divorce. However, it may be even more challenging when your spouse doesn’t want to get divorced.
Your Spouse Can’t Stop Your Divorce
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. You don’t need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong, and you don’t need your spouse to want the divorce. Instead, you just need to assert that the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired.
The divorce process begins when you file a complaint in court. After that, your spouse may answer the complaint. The answer may tell the court whether your spouse agrees or disagrees with your grounds for divorce. However, your spouse is not required to provide reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with your complaint.
While you can get divorced even if your spouse doesn’t want to end the marriage, your spouse can make the divorce much more complicated. Your spouse likely won’t just contest the end of the marriage, but may also challenge:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Alimony or spousal support
- Property distribution
A disagreement will not prevent your divorce, but the court may consider the reasons for dispute when deciding on the terms of your divorce.
If your spouse is intent on contesting one or more of these critical areas of your divorce agreement, then a settlement may not be possible. Instead, you may need to go through mediation, arbitration, or a trial to end your marriage. These legal terms may sound intimidating, but an experienced Michigan family law attorney can represent you and help you through the process with as little stress as possible.
Don’t Get Divorced Alone
Divorce can be a lonely time. However, The Cronin Law Firm is here to support you and to provide you with personal attention as you transition to this next phase of your life. Click the “Send Us a Text Message!” button, call us, or fill out our online contact form to have us contact you for your free consultation.