Understanding Legal Custody in Minnesota: What it Means for Parents Alright, let’s dive into the wonderfully thrilling (but actually Very important) world of legal custody in Minnesota. Now, if you’ve just Googled “legal custody in Minnesota” or found yourself asking, “Wait, isn’t that the same thing as physical custody?”—you’re in the right place. Pour yourself a cup…
I had an interesting conversation a few weeks ago with a good friend who didn’t understand why people need divorce lawyers; he thought the whole system was pretty self-explanatory: you fill out some form, and presto-chango, you’re divorced. He questioned how a couple of people in suits, who don’t know either party, could help…
Minnesota’s family law landscape, as it relates to spousal maintenance (often called spousal support or alimony), is changing in a pretty big way this summer. in 2024, Governor Walz signed into law H.F. 3204, which will go into effect on August 1, 2024. It’s big, I mean HUGE, with very significant changes that will really impact…
Divorce is more than a legal dissolution between two people; it significantly impacts entire families across generations. The current situation affects not just immediate family members but also grandparents. Grandparents play a crucial role in providing stability and emotional support to their grandchildren during these turbulent times. The ripple effect of the situation extends to…
Domestic Abuse and Divorce in Minnesota UPDATE: March 2024 Victims of domestic violence have many difficulties on their plate at any given time: dealing with the physical effects of abuse, seeking help with mental trauma, and finding a positive care situation for children. Going through a divorce can often exacerbate these issues. Emotions run high in almost…
10 Family Law Questions Sometimes you just want the facts, just the facts Ma’am. And that is what this post, a down and dirty look at some very common questions (I bet I answer at least 4 of these a week on the phone!). You won’t find any crazy long-winded answers here, just what you need to know….
Lawyers and judges use a lot of words that nobody bothers to explain. After 26 years of Minnesota family law, I know these are the terms that confuse people most in a divorce, custody or child support case. Here they are in plain English, in alphabetical order. Where a term has its own article or…
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT What is Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA)? UPDATED: APRIL 2024 In the context of family law, the Cost of Living Adjustment, commonly known as COLA (just like Coke!), is a critical financial mechanism designed to ensure that payments like child support and spousal maintenance keep pace with inflation. This adjustment helps…
You’ve been married 20 years or even just a few, either way you’ve accumulated, some things, and by Some things I mean a lot of stuff! What do you do with personal property during a Minnesota Divorce? Well, read on and you will learn what Judges can and, often do, during a divorce. What Is…
UPDATED: Feb 2026 I’ve found that an appeal in divorce and custody cases is very frequently misunderstood. This is short post to help you understand what actually happens during a Minnesota Family Law Appeal. What Can Be Appealed? First and foremost, you need to understand what can and cannot be appealed. Only final orders can…
