Testimony in Final Divorce Hearing

This is a script you can use to testify at your final divorce hearing. This script will print with your other forms if you use the Do-It-Yourself Divorce tool or the Do-It-Yourself Judgment of Divorce tool. Typically, only the Plaintiff is expected to give testimony at the final hearing. But if the Defendant has filed a Counterclaim and the Plaintiff is defaulted, the Defendant will need to give testimony at the final hearing. There are two scripts below, one for plaintiffs and one for defendants.

Read the script ahead of time and complete the blank spaces. Read your testimony clearly if the judge directs you to do so. The judge may also ask you some questions to make sure your testimony is complete.

Script for Plaintiff 

My full name is ________________________________. My address is _________________________________________________, and I am the plaintiff in this case.

1. I married the defendant on _________________________ (marriage date) in ____________________________________________ (city, state/city, country).
2. I filed a complaint for divorce on _________________________ (filing date). 
3. (If applicable) A default was entered against the defendant on ____________________ (date of default entry). It has not been set aside.
4. __________________ (The defendant and/or I) lived in Michigan for 180 days and _______________ (the defendant and/or I) lived in ________________ County for 10 days immediately prior to filing this Complaint.
5. When I filed my complaint for divorce, all the statements were true.
6. All the statements in my complaint for divorce are still true today.
7. There has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship such that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.
8. I do not believe there is any possibility of reconciliation.
9. I ___________________ (am/am not) currently pregnant. The defendant ___________________ (is/is not) currently pregnant.
10. The defendant and I have ______ (number) minor children together. Their names and ages are: ________________________________________________________________________________________ OR There are no minor children of this marriage.
11. I have read all of the terms of the proposed Judgment of Divorce, and I agree with them.
12. (If applicable) I would like the court to change my last name to _______________________________.

I ask that this Court grant an absolute Judgment of Divorce.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Script for Defendant

My full name is ________________________________. My address is _________________________________________________, and I am the defendant in this case.

1. I married the plaintiff on _________________________ (marriage date) in ____________________________________________ (city, state/city, country).
2. The plaintiff filed a complaint for divorce on _________________________ (filing date). 
3. I filed an Answer and Counterclaim on ________________ (date). 
4. (If applicable) A default was entered against the plaintiff on ____________________ (date of default entry). It has not been set aside.
5. __________________ (The plaintiff and/or I) lived in Michigan for 180 days and _______________ (the plaintiff and/or I) lived in ________________ County for 10 days immediately prior to filing this Counterclaim.
6. When I filed my Counterclaim for divorce, all the statements were true.
7. All the statements in my Counterclaim for divorce are still true today.
8. There has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship such that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.
9. I do not believe there is any possibility of reconciliation.
10. I ___________________ (am/am not) currently pregnant. The plaintiff ___________________ (is/is not) currently pregnant.
11. The Plaintiff and I have ______ (number) minor children together. Their names and ages are: ________________________________________________________________________________________ OR There are no minor children of this marriage.
12. I have read all of the terms of the proposed Judgment of Divorce, and I agree with them.
13. (If applicable) I would like the court to change my last name to _______________________________.

I ask that this Court grant an absolute Judgment of Divorce.

Thank you, Your Honor.