Minneapolis
Divorce Lawyer

Although each divorce is unique, they all have the same goal of essentially creating two households from one. Sometimes, accomplishing this is an uncomplicated process because neither party of the divorce decides to contest the divorce terms. However, many divorces require negotiations and judicial rulings to be finalized.

Regardless of the nature of your divorce, our attorneys will fight to get you the terms you need. You can count on our firm to handle your case discreetly and with the diligence necessary to protect your future.

Custody Issues

Perhaps one of the most contentious divorce issues is custody. Custody battles in a divorce can profoundly impact children. If you have children, the chances are high that you and your spouse may not agree on every detail regarding the children’s custody.

When deciding or approving child custody agreements, your judge will make every decision according to the child’s best interests. Therefore, it is crucial that your arrangement proposals do the same. This is why it is important to have an advocate on your side fighting for the provisions you feel are important.

To help settle custody issues early on, Minnesota created the Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) for family court cases. It provides divorce mediation in Minneapolis and throughout the state. The social component of this process encourages parents to resolve their custody issues before going to trial and can effectively save time and money.

Besides the parents, grandparents also have custody rights in certain situations. When the parents are deceased, incarcerated, or one or both of the parents present a danger to the child, a grandparent can petition for custody. 

Child Support Payments

Child support payment provisions are determined using calculations found in Minnesota state statutes. The money is to be used to cover three essential needs of a child:

• Basic support, including nutritional, housing, clothing, and transportation 
• Medical support, including health and dental expenses
• Child care support, such as daycare when both parents are working or at school

Payments continue until the child is 18 years of age, or 20 if still in high school. If the child is incapable of caring for themselves by adulthood, the judge may order the payments to continue.

Division of Property

Your divorce will involve the division of all of the assets acquired during your marriage. It is a process that can be quite involved and heated, depending on the specific situation. Having a seasoned divorce attorney to negotiate on your behalf can be instrumental in getting what you deserve.

Spousal Maintenance Order

Spousal support (alimony) is not automatic in Minnesota. As such, you will have to present a case for spousal support or defend against one if one is presented to you. We understand how important your finances will be for your new life, so we fight hard to get you favorable spousal maintenance terms. 

Modification

Divorce agreements can be modified when significant changes occur, such as a substantial change in one spouse’s financial situation or a change in the marital status of one of the spouses. 

Whatever the reason for the requested modification, it is important to have well-thought-out terms ready to replace the old ones or well-reasoned arguments against changes you may not agree with. Our attorneys are among the best divorce lawyers in Minneapolis and can help.