People in Michigan ask a big question. Can I get a divorce with no lawyer? This choice is very important. It can change your life. You need to know the risks before you act alone.
What Does a Divorce By Yourself Mean?
Speaking for Yourself: A divorce by yourself has a special name. It is called “pro se.” This means you speak for yourself in court. You have no lawyer to help you. You are in charge of your whole case.
Your Big Job: You must do all the work. You have to fill out all the court papers. You must follow all the court rules. You must meet all the time limits. The judge expects you to know all the steps.
Key things to know when you are pro se:
• You are your own voice: You must talk to the judge. You must talk to your spouse’s lawyer. No one else can speak for you.
• You file all the papers: You must turn in all the forms. They have to be on time. This is a very big job to do alone.
• You find all the facts: You must find all the proof for your case. A lawyer would normally do this work.
Other points to think about:
• You must learn the law: The divorce laws in Michigan can be hard. You must learn them on your own.
• You must follow court rules: There are special rules for court. You have to know how to act and what to say.
• You get no help from the court: The people at the court cannot help you. They cannot give you any advice.
Real-Life Story: A man named Tom did his own divorce. He missed a date to turn in a paper. The judge made a choice without all the facts. Tom lost a lot of his money because of this.
When Can Someone Try a Divorce with No Lawyer?
Only in Simple Cases: A divorce with no lawyer can work sometimes. This is true only if the case is very, very simple. You and your spouse must agree on everything. There can be no fights at all.
No Big Fights: This path works best if there are no big things to split. It helps if you do not have kids. It also helps if you do not own much stuff. The marriage should be a short one.
A DIY divorce might work if:
• The marriage was not long: A short marriage means there is less to divide. This makes the case much easier.
• You do not have kids: Cases are harder when you have kids. You have to make a plan for them. This is hard to do alone.
• You own very little stuff: If you have no house or big savings, there is less to argue about.
You and your spouse also must:
• Agree on all things: You must both agree on every single point. A small fight can cause a big problem.
• Have no shared loans: The case is easier if you have no loans or bills to split.
• Work well with each other: You both must be willing to sign the papers. There can be no arguing.
Real-Life Story: Ann and Bob were married for a short time. They had no kids and did not own a house. They agreed on how to split their things. They were able to do the divorce on their own.
Why Is Doing a Divorce Alone a Bad Idea?
There are Many Risks: Most of the time, a DIY divorce is a bad idea. There are many big risks. These risks can hurt you and your future. The problems can last for many, many years.
You Can’t See Trouble: You may not see the problems a lawyer can see. Not knowing the law leads to bad choices. It is like trying to fix a car when you do not know about cars. You can make things much worse.
Some big risks of a DIY divorce are:
• You can lose your money: You could lose a lot of your money. You could lose things you own. You may not get a fair share.
• It can hurt your kids: The choices made in a divorce can harm your kids. A bad plan for them can cause sadness.
• You can get stuck with debt: You could end up paying for loans that are not yours. A lawyer helps keep you safe from this.
Other dangers to think on:
• It is very stressful: The law is hard to understand. Trying to learn it all by yourself can make you feel very worried.
• The result is not fair: You might agree to a bad deal. You might agree just to end the stress. You may regret this later on.
• Trouble lasts a long time: The court’s orders are final. A bad result can cause you trouble for the rest of your life.
Real-Life Story: Maria did her own divorce. She wanted to save some money. She did not know she had a right to part of her husband’s work money. She lost thousands of dollars she should have had.
What Mistakes Can Happen with No Lawyer?
It is Easy to Make Errors: It is very easy to make mistakes in your own case. These mistakes are not small. They can cause big problems with your money. They can also cause problems with your family.
The Rules are Very Strict: The court has strict rules. It also has firm time limits. If you miss a date, you can lose your rights. The court will not bend the rules for you.
Common mistakes people make include:
• They miss the time limits: The court gives you firm dates for all your work. If you miss one, you may lose your chance to show proof.
• They use the wrong forms: There are many different legal forms. Using the wrong one can stop your whole case.
• They do not share all facts: You must share all your money details. If you hide things, you can get in big trouble.
More mistakes that can hurt you:
• Bad numbers for child care: You might pay too much for child care. Or you might get too little. This happens if the court does not get the right numbers.
• You forget about loans: You must list all of your loans. If you forget one, you may have to pay it all by yourself.
• You do not split things right: Things you own must be split in a fair way. Most people do not know the rules for this.
Real-Life Story: John did his own divorce. He forgot to file a list of his helpers by the court’s date. The judge told him his helpers could not speak. John lost his case because he missed that one date.
Can the Court Help Me if I Have No Lawyer?
The Court Must Be Fair: Many people think the judge will help them. They think the court workers will help them. This is not true. The court’s job is to be fair to both sides. It cannot take your side.
You Get No Legal Advice: The judge cannot give you advice. The court workers cannot give you advice. It is against the rules. They can show you where a form is. They cannot tell you what to write on it.
What the court workers cannot do:
• Tell you what to write: They cannot help you fill out your forms. They cannot help you choose the right words.
• Give you advice on your case: They cannot tell you if you have a good case. That is what a lawyer does.
• Explain what a law means: They are not allowed to tell you what a law means for you. They have to stay in the middle.
What the judge cannot do:
• Help you ask questions: The judge cannot help you talk to people in court. You must know how to ask the questions.
• Tell you about time limits: The judge will not tell you when papers are due. You are supposed to know all the dates.
• Give you another chance: If you make a mistake, you do not get to do it over. The rules are the same for you and for lawyers.
Real-Life Story: Susan went to court all by herself. She asked the judge what to do to get child support. The judge said he could not give her legal advice. Susan left the court feeling sad and lost.
What About Kids and Property with No Lawyer?
These Things are Very Big: A divorce is very serious with kids. It is also serious when you own a house or other things. The choices made will change your life. A lawyer helps make sure these choices are fair.
Keep Your Kids Safe: The main part of a divorce with kids is the plan for them. The plan says where the kids live. It also says who makes choices for them. With no lawyer, you might lose time with your kids.
Key problems with kids in a DIY divorce:
• You get less time with kids: You may not get to see your kids as much as you should. A lawyer fights for your right to see them.
• Child support is wrong: You could pay too much money for child care. Or you could get too little money to help you.
• You can’t help make choices: You might lose your right to help choose your kids’ school or doctor.
Key problems with property in a DIY divorce:
• You can lose your home: You might lose the right to stay in your family home. A lawyer knows how to help you keep it.
• Things are not split fairly: You may not get your fair part of the money or other things. This can leave you with very little.
• Money can be hidden: Your spouse may try to hide money from you. A lawyer knows how to find hidden money.
Real-Life Story: David let his wife keep the house in their DIY divorce. He did not know he had to get his name off the house loan. His wife stopped paying the bill. Now the bank wants David to pay all the money.
Is It Really Cheaper to Not Have a Lawyer?
A Penny Saved is Not Enough: People do a divorce alone to save money. But this can cost much more money later. There is a saying about this. It is “penny smart, but dollar foolish.”
The True Cost of a Mistake: A small error on a form can cost you a lot. You could lose your house or all your savings. You could get stuck with big loans. A lawyer’s fee is small next to losing your future.
Ways a DIY divorce can cost you big money:
• You pay for your spouse’s loans: You might get stuck paying for loans that are not yours.
• You lose savings for old age: Many people do not know how to split old age funds. You could lose your part of it.
• The child support is wrong: A bad child support order can cost you thousands of dollars over the years.
How a lawyer can save you money:
• They find hidden money for you: Lawyers know how to find money a spouse might try to hide.
• They keep you safe from loans: A lawyer makes sure you do not have to pay for your spouse’s loans.
• They get you a fair deal: A lawyer fights to make sure you get your fair part of everything.
Real-Life Story: Lisa did her own divorce to save on fees. She later learned she could have had half of her husband’s big work bonus. The divorce was done. She could not go back to get the money she was owed.
What if I Start Alone then Need a Lawyer?
It is Hard to Fix Mistakes: Some people start their divorce on their own. They try to get a lawyer when things go wrong. This is very hard to do. It costs more to fix a case than to do it right from the start.
The Lawyer is in a Bad Spot: A lawyer who takes a case late is stuck. They are stuck with the mistakes you already made. Key time limits may have passed. It may be too late to win your case.
Problems when you hire a lawyer late:
• Time limits have passed: It may be too late to ask for key facts. It may be too late to file key papers.
• Bad choices are already made: You may have agreed to a bad deal. A lawyer may not be able to change it.
• It costs a lot more money: It costs more to clean up a messy case. It is cheaper to start with a lawyer.
Why it is better to start with a lawyer:
• You get a clean start: Your lawyer can build a strong case from day one. There are no messes to clean up.
• You get a clear path: Your lawyer will make a plan to get you the best result. You will know what is going on.
• You will feel less worry: You can feel calm when you know an expert is in charge. It helps you feel safe.
Real-Life Story: Mark tried to do his own case for six months. A week before his trial, he felt lost. He tried to hire a lawyer. No one would take his case. There was not enough time to fix his errors.
Is a DIY Divorce Like Driving with a Blindfold?
A Good Way to Think of It: Think about driving a car. But you are wearing a blindfold. You cannot see the road. You cannot see other cars. This is like a divorce without a lawyer.
You Will Likely Crash Your Car: Could you drive a short way and be safe? It is not likely. The chance of a crash is very high. The same is true for a DIY divorce. You are likely to crash your case.
Why a DIY divorce is like being blindfolded:
• You cannot see the dangers: You do not see the legal traps. The other lawyer might set a trap for you.
• You do not know the path: The legal world is like a road with many turns. A lawyer is like a map for you.
• You will not get to your goal: You want to be safe after your divorce. With no guide, you will get lost.
How a lawyer takes the blindfold off:
• They see the whole path for you: A lawyer sees the whole case. They know where the dangers are. They keep you safe.
• They steer the car for you: A lawyer guides your case. They make sure you stay on the right road.
• They lead you to a safe place: A lawyer’s job is to get you through the divorce safely. They help you get a better future.
Real-Life Story: One person said a DIY divorce felt like a dark room. He kept bumping into things in the dark. A lawyer would have turned on the light. The lawyer would show the clear path to the door.
Why Is a Lawyer the Smartest Choice?
You Get an Expert on Your Team: A lawyer is an expert on the law. But they are also on your team. They focus only on keeping you safe. They fight for you when you cannot fight for yourself.
Doing This Many Times Helps: A good divorce lawyer has helped many people. They have done this for years. They know what to expect from judges. They know what to expect from other lawyers. This helps you a lot.
What a good lawyer will do for you:
• They will listen to your story: They will listen to what you need. They build a case that fits you.
• They will give you clear choices: They explain your choices in a simple way. This helps you make smart decisions.
• They will be your strong voice: They will speak for you in court. They will speak for you in talks with the other side.
Good things about having a lawyer:
• You will feel less worried: An expert is in charge. This lets you focus on your life and your family.
• You will get a fair result: You are much more likely to get a fair deal with a lawyer on your team.
• You will protect your future: A lawyer helps you start your new life on a good, strong foot.
Real-Life Story: Sarah was scared to face her husband’s lawyer alone. She hired her own lawyer. Her lawyer took over the case. Sarah said she felt like a big weight was gone. She could finally take a deep breath.
Extra Thoughts
It is Hard on Your Feelings: A DIY divorce is a legal risk. It is also very hard on your feelings. The worry of not knowing what to do can make a sad time feel much worse. It is hard for you, and it is hard for your kids.
A Guide Makes Things Better: A lawyer is an expert in the law. A lawyer is also a guide. They can help you feel calm. They handle the hard legal parts. This lets you work on feeling better and moving on.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Do I have to go to court for a divorce?
Yes, most divorces in Michigan need at least one court date with a judge. You can see our video about if you Can Get a Divorce Without Going to Court.
2. How long is a divorce in Michigan?
A divorce with no kids takes about two months or more. A divorce with kids takes about six months or more.
3. Can my spouse and I share a lawyer?
No, a lawyer can only be on one team. It is not fair for a lawyer to be on both sides in a divorce.
4. What if I do not know where my spouse is?
You can still get a divorce. The court has special rules for this. Your case will just take a few more steps.
5. How much does a lawyer cost for a divorce?
The cost depends on your case. You can learn more on our page about Divorce Costs in Michigan.
6. What does “pro se” mean again?
“Pro se” means “for yourself.” It means you are your own lawyer in your court case.
7. Does it matter who was at fault in a Michigan divorce?
No, Michigan is a “no-fault” state. You do not have to prove someone did something wrong to get a divorce.
8. What is a contested divorce?
A Contested Divorce is when you and your spouse do not agree on things. You have to ask a judge to decide for you.
9. Do I need a big reason to get a divorce?
No, you just have to say the marriage is broken and cannot be fixed. This is shown in our main video Can you get a divorce in Michigan without a lawyer?
10. What if my ex and I agree on all things?
It is still smart to have a lawyer write the final papers to keep you safe. Find out why in our video about if you Should Handle Your Divorce without a Lawyer.
11. Who has to pay the lawyer fees?
Most times, each person pays for their own lawyer. A judge can sometimes order one person to help pay the other’s fees.
12. How is the amount of child support set?
The state of Michigan uses a math rule to set the amount for child care. It looks at how much money both parents make. See more at our Michigan Child Support page.
Get the Help You Need: A divorce is a hard time. Doing it alone is a big risk. Do not risk your family or your future. Our team is here to keep you safe. We will guide you through this hard time. We will help you know your rights. We will fight for you. Call us for a free talk about your case. You can call or text us at (248) 590-6600. You can also set up your free talk online. Please visit us at ChooseGoldman.com to see how we can help you today.