You must reside in the county in which you file for at least ten days before you file. The out of state spouse is simply given a bit more time, an additional week, to respond to the Summons and Complaint. Quite often divorces settle out of court. There are many reasons for this. Cost is a factor.
Mediation is often successful in bringing the parties to an agreement.
And almost no one wants their future, the future of their children and their property rights determined by a third party. A very good exercise is to actually sit in on a court session conducted by your divorce judge. No, not in Michigan. An attorney can have only one employer.