Do-It-Yourself Legal Packets
Divorce, Custody, and Paternity Paperwork at the Law Library
These DIY packets with paperwork for divorce, custody, and paternity in Kalamazoo County are free to download and print. Printed packets are also available in the Law Library, located on the second floor of the Central Library.
Divorce Packets
Divorce packets include instructions and forms for an uncontested divorce in Kalamazoo County. In other circumstances different forms may be required.
Print single sided only. The Court will NOT accept double sided documents!
MichiganLegalHelp.org also has divorce forms you can fill out online for free.
En Español:
Imprima solo por una cara. ¡El tribunal NO aceptará documentos a doble cara!
Divorcio – Michigan Legal Help en Español
MichiganLegalHelp.org also has divorce forms in English you can fill out online for free.
Need Help?
The divorce packets have instructions on the basic steps in a divorce. For detailed, step-by-step instructions we recommend The Michigan Divorce Book by Michael Maran or the family law section of MichiganLegalHelp.org. We always have a copy of The Michigan Divorce Book to use in the Law Library, but check our catalog for copies that you can check out with your KPL library card.
Custody Packet
Custody packets include instructions and forms for unmarried parents to begin to establish custody in Kalamazoo County. It also includes information and forms about parenting time and child support.
Print single sided only. The Court will NOT accept double sided documents!
MichiganLegalHelp.org also has custody forms you can fill out online for free.
En Español:
Imprima solo por una cara. ¡El tribunal NO aceptará documentos a doble cara!
Custodia – Michigan Legal Help en Español
MichiganLegalHelp.org also has custody forms in English you can fill out online for free.
Paternity Packet
Paternity packets include instructions and forms for parents to begin to establish paternity in Kalamazoo County when there is NOT an Affidavit or Parentage signed by both parents. In other circumstances different forms may be required.
Print single sided only. The Court will NOT accept double sided documents!
MichiganLegalHelp.org also has paternity forms you can fill out online for free.
En Español:
Imprima solo por una cara. ¡El tribunal NO aceptará documentos a doble cara!
Paternidad – Michigan Legal Help en Español
MichiganLegalHelp.org also has paternity forms in English you can fill out online for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can librarians help fill out forms?
Librarians cannot fill out forms or give legal advice.
2. What is an uncontested divorce?
According to The Michigan Divorce Book, “if you and your spouse agree on all the divorce issues, you have an uncontested divorce.”
3. Do both spouses have to agree to the divorce?
In Michigan, a divorce is granted even if one of the parties does not want the divorce. Before a divorce is granted, the court must find that there has been a breakdown in the marriage relationship to the extent that there is no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved. At least one of the parties must appear in court to show that this breakdown exists (from MichiganLegalHelp.org).
4. Does the Law Library carry separation papers?
The Law Library does not carry packets with separation papers, but we do have resources with examples of separation agreements and separate maintenance. For more information about separate maintenance, stop by the Law Library.
5. How much does it cost to file for divorce?
The filing fee in the Kalamazoo County Courts is $175 for divorce without children and $255 for divorce with children. Motion fees are $20. A fee waiver request form (Form MC 20) is available online and at the Family Court on Gull Road for low-income individuals.
6. Where are divorce forms filed?
Kalamazoo County residents file for divorce at the Family Division of the Circuit Court, located at 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048.
7. What about mediation or “collaborative divorce?”
Collaborative divorce is a non-adversarial legal process to resolve divorce issues outside of court. The Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan has a list of attorneys who handle mediation and collaborative divorce. You can also use MI-Resolve from the Michigan Courts Office of Dispute Resolution, an online system where the parties have a text-based conversation along with a trained mediator to resolve your matter.
8. What about hiring an attorney?
The State Bar of Michigan has a Lawyer Referral Service and an attorney search on their website. You can also use Martindale or the State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Search to find family lawyers in Kalamazoo.