The Judge Knows All – Or Do They?
Every Judge was first a lawyer. In many cases, they are former litigators (meaning they regularly appeared in Court) although not always. But even as litigators, they probably focused their…
DETERMINING CHILD CUSTODY IN MINNESOTA COURTS WHERE IS HOME?
If you want a court to help you figure what right(s) you might have to raise your child, you want to be sure you’re asking the right court, and in…
Al Pacino & Spousal Maintenance in a Minnesota Divorce
What does a Court need to consider when figuring out whether to award spousal maintenance (formerly known as ‘alimony’) in a Minnesota divorce? And what information should you bring up…
A Lesson from Child Support Court: “Pull No Punches”
Minnesota Child Support Law mandates that child support is determined primarily by the parents’ incomes. Because income is so important to a court when figuring out a child support obligation,…
Custody Modification: What do you have to Prove?
In contested child custody cases, the Court determines the issue of custody and parenting time based upon what is in the “best interests of the child.” This is not an…
THE NEW CHILD SUPPORT LAW; FROM “CLIFFS” TO “BUCKETS”
Beginning August 1st, a change to the Minnesota child support law takes effect which should come to the relief of many parents who are paying too much child support under…
Why Aren’t Pre-nups Always Enforced?
Minnesota law allows couples, before marriage, to enter in to a contract promising to leave each other’s stuff alone in the event of a divorce. This contact, dubbed an ‘anternuptial…
Get it Right the First Time: Hire a Lawyer
For many people, saving money whenever possible is human nature. No one wants to spend more money on something than necessary. A penny saved is a penny earned, right? Take…
What is a Putative Spouse, Anyway?
What happens when a man and woman live together as if husband and wife, perhaps even believing in good faith that they are husband and wife, but in reality they…
KEEPING TRACK OF NON-MARITAL PROPERTY IN A DIVORCE
If I’m getting a divorce and my house (that I owned before marriage) tripled in value during my marriage, does my spouse get to share in that increased value?? What…