{"id":374140,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-marital-property-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-06-18T18:12:47","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T23:12:47","slug":"michigan-marital-property-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-marital-property-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Marital Property Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michigan Marital Property Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Michigan is one of many equitable distribution states. If a couple separates, Michigan divorce courts consider everything acquired during marriage marital property<\/a>. Marital property belongs to both spouses, and courts divide it fairly, but not always 50\/50. A few states, such as Texas and Louisiana, are community property states. In these states, spouses divide property equally.<\/p>\r\n

Each state has its own rules<\/a> describing marital property and separate property. In Michigan, marital property can include assets such as real estate and retirement accounts, as well as debts and liabilities. Marital property also becomes important when one spouse dies and the surviving spouse inherits the property.<\/p>\r\n

Note:<\/b> State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. You should consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) before making any legal decision.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Marital Property vs. Separate Property<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In Michigan, marital property<\/b><\/a> is all property acquired during the marriage. In a divorce case, the name on the property or bank account is less important than when the spouses acquired it. For instance, a joint bank account is marital property, but a separate bank account might be marital property if both spouses used it.<\/p>\r\n

Marital property can include:<\/p>\r\n