Jackson, MI Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

If you're not living in the house, he is free to change the locks. This does not change the ownership interest you have in the house. My suggestion is that if you still have undisputed stuff in the house, arrange with him for a time to pick it up. I also suggest you file a legal separation so the ownership of the house and its contents can be determined by the court.

In Michigan, for a divorce to be binding and legal, there must be a proper jurisdictional basis, plus a proper Complaint for Divorce needs to be filed and served on the other Party, and a written Judgment of Divorce (containing all the requisite provisions provided by the statutes and the Michigan Rules of Court) needs to be signed by the Judge.

You have several options, and a few of these are:  First, you may file a Petition for an Involuntary Commitment.  If there is probable cause to believe that your husband is a danger to himself or others as a result of mental illness, the Court will enter an order for him to be picked up and taken to a mental health facility for an evaluation.  If 2 out of 3 psychiatrists certify that he is a danger to himself or others as a result of mental illness, then he can be treated by the hospital even if he does not agree.  Second, if you want to pursue the divorce, you can file a complaint for divorce, and ask the Court to appoint either a Next Friend or Guardian ad Litem, who will represent him in the divorce.  Third, you may want to wait until your husband reappears before you decide what to do.  If your husband agrees, he can voluntarily enter a mental health facility.  Fourth, if you are concerned for your safety, you may want to ask the Court to enter a Personal Protection Order (PPO).  A PPO, once served upon your husband, provides the police the authority to arrest your husband if he violates the PPO.  The PPO may prohibit your husband from entering your residence and/or from having any contact with you.