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The question of when a child can voice their opinion on which parent to live with is common in Minnesota custody cases. This topic often arises during custody disputes or modifications, where the...

Imagine facing a custody battle and witnessing a parent being arrested due to immigration status. This is becoming more common, especially under changing immigration policies.Previously, under the...

Mental health has increasingly become a focus in the United States with  many ringing alarms that we are in a mental health crisis.  Data in the U.S. Shows that mental health issues were on the...

When a divorce involves a Military Service Member, it may also involve a military pension called Military Retired Pay.  I am often asked if a Military Pension is divisible in divorce.  the short...

While the divorce rate has seen a decline since 2000, it remains significant with Forbes citing a  43% divorce rate  in 2025. Alarmingly, this rate jumps to 73% for second and third marriages, with...

Imagine being in love but not getting married.  You want to buy a house with your partner, but, because of credit issues, can only put the title of the home into your partner’s name.  To qualify...

Workplace harassment is a pressing issue with more than half of employees reporting experiences or observations of inappropriate or illegal conduct at work. This underscores the need for robust...

I am occasionally asked if a stepparent can adopt their stepchild.  The Answer is - “yes- they can” but the process depends on the circumstances and it is not always easy. Step-parent adoption, in...

While you technically do not need a lawyer to get a divorce in most jurisdictions, including Minnesota, it is generally recommended to consult with one, especially if your divorce involves complex...

How Can I file for Divorce in Minnesota? To get divorced in MN, at least one of the spouses must be living in MN for a minimum of 180 days (or you or your spouse must be a member of the armed...

Domestic violence affects men, women, and children. When couples separate after such incidents, a history of abuse can influence custody and parenting time decisions made in divorce or custody...

Divorce is a challenging and often emotional process, and financial concerns—especially regarding spousal maintenance (also known as alimony or spousal support)—can be a significant source of...

Have you ever wondered what happens if you forget to update your life insurance beneficiaries after a divorce? This was precisely the scenario in the case of Mark A. Sveen and Kaye L. Melin. The...

Can you sue someone for breaking a promise to marry? In years gone by, the answer was 'yes.' A jilted fiancé could file a lawsuit for breach of promise to marry. However, today, such claims have...

Imagine a scenario where two unmarried individuals purchase a home, but the property title bears only one name. What happens when the relationship ends? Who retains ownership of the house?When both...

In most states today, the process of obtaining a divorce does not require proving any party's fault. This system, known as no-fault divorce, simplifies the end of a marriage without assigning blame...

MYTH #1: Filing for divorce first gives me an advantage.It's generally a misconception that filing for divorce first offers significant benefits. The only advantage is in cases where the parties...

Divorce can be an arduous journey, especially when accusations of narcissism arise. It's important to approach this with clarity, as not everyone exhibiting narcissistic traits is a diagnosed...

Divorce is often accompanied by a whirlwind of emotions that can significantly influence the legal process. Feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated, fearful, or even betrayed are just some of the...

Paternity can often be a complex issue, especially when it involves unmarried parents. Many fathers find themselves asking: What rights do I have to see my child? The path to securing these rights...

The pretrial conference might sound complex, but it's a crucial step that can shape the course of a legal proceeding. For those unfamiliar, the pretrial conference is a mandatory meeting usually...

Divorce often raises the question of financial transparency between parties. Rest assured, part of the divorce proceedings involves the mandatory exchange of relevant documentation pertaining to...

Seeing is believing... or is it? The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology is making its way into courtrooms, challenging how evidence is perceived and used in legal...

Divorce: Preplanning Strategies Nobody enters a marriage expecting it to end, but the sobering fact is that nearly 40% of marriages today result in divorce. This process can be financially taxing,...

ABOUT YOUR DIVORCEHOW MUCH WILL THE DIVORCE COST?It is difficult to determine how much a divorce will cost. However, after reviewing the likely issues, your method for resolving those issues, and...

Third-party custody occurs when a court grants legal and physical custody of a child to someone who is not the biological parent. This person could be a family member or even an unrelated...

Parenting Time and Custody EvaluationsIn many counties, custody disputes often involve a Court-appointed evaluator. This person may work for Court Services or could be a private individual or...

CustodyWhen it comes to custody, understanding the key types—"legal" and "physical"—is crucial, as they serve different functions in the lives of parents and their children. What is Legal Custody...

Divorce proceedings are typically a matter of public record, which means divorce decrees can often be accessed and downloaded online. This realization raises a common question among those...

Chemical dependency allegations in family law cases often result in courts imposing testing and restrictions on parents to ensure child safety. However, in Minnesota, courts are increasingly...

In Minnesota, the term 'Alimony' has evolved into 'Spousal Maintenance'—a change intended to ease perceptions of financial support obligations during divorce. Yet, the financial burden often...

In today's workplaces, the prominence of harassment issues necessitates urgent attention and action. Over half of employees report experiencing or witnessing behaviors that are inappropriate,...

Generally, child support arrears cannot be modified by a court. However, exceptions exist which might offer solutions or negotiations potentially leading to reductions. Can I Modify my Child...

Student loans are one of the most common and durable debts a person may incur, and they often become a point of contention during asset and liability division in divorce proceedings. Understanding...

Understanding Financial Early Neutral Evaluations (FENE) In cases where financial issues are contested, understanding the Financial Early Neutral Evaluation (FENE) process can significantly impact...

Understanding the Social Early Neutral Evaluation (SENE) process and preparing effectively can aid parties in resolving their custody and parenting time issues at an early stage of the proceedings....

The Order for Protection (OFP) An Order for Protection (OFP) is a type of restraining order used when domestic abuse has occurred among family or household members. It aims to stop the accused...

Understanding the terms and process in your divorce can make all the difference. In Minnesota, one of the key components in a divorce proceeding is the ICMC, or Initial Case Management Conference....

What is an Antenuptial Agreement?An antenuptial agreement, commonly known as a prenuptial agreement, is a formal contract executed between two prospective spouses before their marriage. This...

What is Third-Party Custody?Third-party custody occurs when a court grants legal and physical custody of a child to someone who is not their biological parent. This could be a family member, a...

Our society has become increasingly mobile over the past several decades. As a result, parents often seek to relocate away from the other parent after custody has been determined. Such relocations...

When navigating the complexities of custody during a divorce, it is crucial to differentiate between two distinct types: "legal" and "physical." While these terms may seem similar, they each carry...

Did you know that grandparents have their own rights to see their grandchildren? 🌟"On the seventh day God rested. His grandchildren must have been out of town." – Gene PerretEvery year, the...

Why Mediation Matters in Today's SocietyIn today's conflict-ridden society, alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation play a crucial role in maintaining harmony and resolving disputes...