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DIVORCE AND ANNULMENT IN MICHIGANDivorce is a legal proceeding that ends a marriage. As part of the divorce proceeding, the court determines what assets and debts were accumulated during the marriage and what assets and debts were premarital or kept separate from the marriage. Assets and debts accumulated during the marriage are divided in a divorce judgment. The divorce judgment states the party’s final property rights. Michigan is a “no fault state”. As a result, you do not have to prove fault to get a divorce in Michigan. There is a 60 day waiting period for a divorce without children and a 6 month waiting period for a divorce with minor children. In contrast, an annulment also ends the marriage by a determination that a valid legal marriage never took place. This can make a difference in property rights. As a finding of no valid marriage, each party gets the property they have and there is no property to be divided that was “accumulated during the marriage”. For example if the husband has 500,000 dollars in retirement accounts that accumulated during the marriage, in a divorce, the spouse would receive one-half or 250,000.00 dollars. In an annulment, a valid marriage never took place, as a result, the husband would keep the 500,000 dollars and the spouse would receive nothing. Most of the time, it makes little or no difference because the parties have been married for a short time and have not accumulated much during the marriage. In a long term marriage, it can make a substantial difference. Additionally, a person has to prove the basis for an annulment rather than “no fault”. In Michigan, a basis for an annulment can be proven by establishing the marriage was a result of fraud, duress, or non-consummation of the marriage (no sex after you say “I do”). There is no time period involved. You can be married for twenty years or more and still qualify for an annulment. Additionally, there is no waiting period. DIVORCE ATTORNEYS - GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGANKrupp Law Offices P.C. represents clients in divorce cases throughout West Michigan, including the cities of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Grand Haven, and the counties of Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Newaygo, Montcalm, and Ionia. If you have any further questions, please contact us for a free consultation. Our office can help. KRUPP LAW OFFICES PC 161 Ottawa NW Suite 201 Grand Rapids MI 49506 616-459-6636 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it “Online Interview –Be Prepared For Your First Appointment.”
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