A signed Judgment of Divorce closes one chapter, but a handful of practical and legal tasks usually still need your attention. The family law attorneys at The Kronzek Firm work with clients throughout Lansing, Eaton County, Jackson, Clinton County, and Ingham County, and we regularly hear from people who assumed everything was settled — only to run into a modification question, a missed deadline, or a financial loose end months later. Here’s part two of our post-divorce checklist.
1. Modifying Custody, Parenting Time, or Support
Life doesn’t stay frozen after a divorce, and Michigan law recognizes that. Under the Child Custody Act, a court may modify a previous custody order “for proper cause shown or because of change of circumstances” (MCL 722.27(1)(c)). That’s a real legal standard, not just a preference — Michigan courts (starting with the Court of Appeals decision in Vodvarka v. Grasmeyer) require the person asking for a change to show that something material has changed since the last order, not simply that circumstances existed before the judge signed your last order. A job loss, a move, or a significant shift in either parent’s situation can potentially meet that bar, but whether it does depends heavily on the specific facts. Parenting time adjustments are addressed separately under MCL 722.27a. Talk to your family law attorney before assuming a change qualifies — or before assuming it doesn’t.
2. Know What Your Judgment Actually Requires
Your Judgment of Divorce is a court order, not a suggestion. It typically includes deadlines: selling or refinancing the marital home by a set date, dividing retirement accounts, or updating insurance coverage. Missing these deadlines can lead to enforcement motions and unnecessary cost. Read the full judgment with your attorney so you know exactly what’s expected and by when.
3. Finish the Retirement Paperwork
Here’s one people miss constantly: the Judgment of Divorce describes how retirement accounts will be divided, but it doesn’t actually transfer the money. Under MCL 552.18, vested pension and retirement benefits earned during the marriage are part of the marital estate — but a separate order, called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) for private plans, or an Eligible Domestic Relations Order (EDRO) for certain public plans, has to be entered and sent to the plan administrator before funds actually move. Delaying this can create real complications, so don’t set it aside.
4. Secure Your Finances and Digital Life
A few practical steps that are easy to overlook: close joint credit cards and bank accounts, update passwords on financial and email accounts, notify the major credit bureaus of your divorce, change your Will and Trust, and update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance — unless your judgment requires otherwise.
FAQ
How long do I have to file a QDRO after my Michigan divorce? Michigan’s general statute of limitations for enforcing a judgment is ten years (MCL 600.5809), though Michigan courts have addressed how that limit applies specifically to QDROs in cases like Joughin v. Joughin. Don’t wait — talk to your attorney about your specific timeline.
Can I modify child custody any time I want? No. You must first show proper cause or a change of circumstances under MCL 722.27(1)(c) before a court will even consider whether modifying custody is in the child’s best interest.
What happens if my ex-spouse won’t comply with the judgment? Non-compliance with a Judgment of Divorce can be addressed through a motion to enforce. An experienced family law attorney can advise on the right approach for your situation.
Every post-divorce situation is different, and missing a deadline or misjudging whether a change qualifies for modification can cost you time and money. If you have questions about enforcing or modifying a divorce judgment in Lansing, Charlotte, Howell, Ionia, Ingham County, Jackson, Clinton County, Gratiot County, or elsewhere in Mid-Michigan, our trusted family law lawyers are ready to talk through your options.
📞 Call our Lansing office at (517) 886-1000 to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ve spent more than 32 years helping Mid-Michigan families through divorce, post-judgment enforcement, and modification issues.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult with an experienced Michigan divorce attorney.