Minnesota Child Support: a Handshake Is Not Enough
The Minnesota Supreme Court was recently asked whether a ‘handshake’ agreement between parents to pay support for their child is enforceable in Minnesota. Their answer was … “no”. This announcement…
POST NUPS: UNCONSCIONABLE OR JUST A BAD DEAL?
We occasionally get asked about post nuptial agreements; an agreement between spouses who wish to stay married but separate their property rights. Post nuptial, like pre nuptial agreements, define property…
The Bezos Divorce: A Lesson Learned
Following a 25-year marriage, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos divorced earlier this year. As the Founder and CEO of Amazon, Jeff is the richest man in the world. The divorce settlement…
Game of Thrones and Prohibited Marriages in Minnesota
If you watch the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones,” you know that incest is a thing. Brother and sister Jamie and Cersei Lannister conceived multiple children. There are other…
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…
Personal Injury Settlements: Marital or Nonmarital?
If you were ever in a serious accident, or suffered a serious injury, you were likely part of a personal injury case. You may have received a sizeable financial settlement….
Enough is Enough; When it’s Time to Revisit Spousal Maintenance
The Court of Appeals recently reversed a lower court’s decision to reject a husband’s request to modify his maintenance obligation to his ex-wife. It was error, the Court said, to…
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…
Prenuptial Agreements – Not Always Enforceable
If you’re reading this blog, it’s probably because you’re related to me and doing it out of obligation (thanks, Mom). Or, it might be because you’re looking for information about…
To File or Not to File?
In Minnesota, a divorce case commences when the Petitioner serves the Summons and Petition for Marital Dissolution (and usually some other documents, too) upon the Respondent. The law requires that…