A joint petition for divorce saves clients money primarily by streamlining the legal process for amicable and uncontested cases. This relatively new legal option, which gained traction in 2025, allows both spouses to file for divorce together rather than following the traditional "plaintiff vs. defendant" adversarial model.
According to the sources, this approach reduces costs in several ways:
- Reduction in courtroom conflict. By eliminating traditional "courtroom drama" and the need for formal service of process or adversarial responses, the joint petition significantly cuts both time and legal fees.
- Avoiding expensive litigation. Traditional contested divorces, particularly those involving disputes over marital fault, can be financially draining; for example, a contested fault dispute alone can cost $10,000 or more in legal fees. A joint petition bypasses these costs by focusing on a settled agreement from the outset.
- Alignment with local trends. In Southeast Michigan, there is already a strong trend toward efficient resolution; in Macomb County, for instance, over 76 percent of divorce cases involving children are resolved through settlement, default, or uncontested proceedings. The joint petition formalizes this efficient path for couples who are already in agreement.
By choosing this method, families can avoid wasting their resources on "he-said/she-said" allegations and instead focus their financial assets on their future needs.
For more information on how a joint petition can help you during the divorce process, call Little & Boylan, PLLC at (248) 809-1402. Or reach out using our online form.