Dividing Military Benefits in a Divorce – When State & Federal Law Conflicts
It’s not often that the United State Supreme Court makes a decision that affects how divorces are handled in Minnesota Family Courts. But, when it comes to a veteran’s retirement…
Can My Spouse Secretly Get Rid of Our Things During Our Divorce?
Unless your spouse is selling things off in order to pay for food, clothing, shelter; or, routinely sells things that you own in order make a living, the answer is…
PRINCE’S LESSON ON PATERNITY
When I think of Prince’s legacy, his immeasurable contributions to the arts and culture, I can’t say that promoting understanding of domestic relations law has a place that legacy. But…
MOVING OUT OF STATE WITH MY CHILD, WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Moving to another state and leaving our Minnesota winters behind can be an exciting change, but, if your move includes your child that you share with a parent you’re not…
THE CHALLENGE OF PURSUING SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE
Unlike child support, spousal maintenance or ‘alimony’ as it is sometimes called, is a way of helping a lesser-earning spouse meet his needs after a marriage ends, but is not…
Dividing Pension Benefits in a Divorce; the Janssen Formula
Of the assets a family can accumulate over the course of a marriage, one of the biggest can be its retirement plan(s). Families going through the difficult process of a…
What Does Primary Residence Mean And Why Is It Important?
What Does Primary Residence Mean And Why Is It Important? When I talk to people about child custody orders and parenting time schedules, the topic of ‘primary residence’ sometimes comes…
HOW CAN I GET MY EX TO HELP WITH DAY CARE EXPENSES?
For working parents, finding child care can be a scramble; especially for single parents. Whether you’re using a licensed day care, a nanny, a friend or relative, you’ve gotta find…
What can I get out of it? Splitting Joint Property Interests Between Unmarried Cohabitants
Just like married couples, unmarried couples who live together still acquire stuff together (furniture, jewelry, vehicles, and real estate), and when they (hopefully never) split up, they still need to…
Using the Court’s Contempt Powers to Enforce a Child Support Order
I sometimes get asked what can be done about a parent who isn’t paying child support. It can be frustrating because there are sometimes different factors that explain why a…