Michigan
How Button v. Button applies in Michigan: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Property.
In Michigan, the principles from Button v. Button emphasize equitable distribution of property in divorce proceedings. Michigan courts apply the 'equitable division' standard, considering both marital and separate properties, alongside factors such as contribution to the marital estate and the needs of each party.
The rule applied in Michigan is that marital property should be divided equitably, which does not necessarily mean equally, but rather in a manner that is fair given the circumstances of the case, as established in the case law following Button.
This case reaffirmed that both spouses are entitled to an equitable share of the marital estate, regardless of whose name the property is titled under.