In the western world you cant. you can however contest the reasons that are given for a divorce if they are incorect.
Your spouse can contest the divorce at any point that they want to. They cannot force you to stay married to them so it only drags it out if they contest it.
The specifics depend on the law of the state where the divorce is filed. However, most states provide an ability to contest a divorce. It seems unlikely that your place of residence would impact that ability.
Unfortunately, no. If one party to a marriage wants to get a divorce, then it will be granted with or without the consent of the other party. Courts simply will not enforce a situation where it is no longer working for some. You have the right to contest the divorce but declining the divorce will not stop the procedure from happening.
Well over a year.It's 18 months in Arkansas
Your wife cannot contest the divorce itself; she can only contest the division of property and assets of the marriage. The divorce case cannot go on forever; there will be a trial and the assets will be divided fairly by the court.
Yes, you have a legal opportunity to contest a divorce and the fact that your spouse is in prison (although that complicates things) doesnt really matter in this instance. However, when one spouse want s a divorce and goes through the motions of filing all the proper paperwork, etc there is not any way to really stop it absent a reconciliation. This is because the law views divorce as a partnership contract and you cannot keep someone in a contract against their will.
It does not stop.
send them back in with a complaint
Yes, and yes. Although you can use the fact that he is in prison against him, he can still contest it.
You could, but it might not work.
Anyone can contest a divorce. Just because a divorce is contested does not mean a divorce will not be granted, it just means it is going to be a longer and more expensive process.
Michigan is a no-fault state. This means that you do not need to plead any grounds for divorce beyond the statutory words (i.e. 'There have been a breakdown...'). This also means that since you do not need to contest grounds for divorce there is never a trial held for the matter of the divorce itself. Simply, the divorce will happen, no matter what, even if the other party never responds to it. What the other party can contest, however, is the division of property and debts as well as custody of the children. In a divorce, all of the delay comes from dividing property and the children, and when there is a trial it is entirely about what property is marital property and marital debts and how those are divided. However, while Michigan is a no-fault state the relative fault of the parties in causing the divorce (e.g. adultery, abuse, etc.) can be a factor in divising property and can effect custody. But while this might change the relative allocation it will in no way stop the divorce from happening.