Why Words Matter
Words, and their interpretation, can be the heart of any misunderstanding, and misunderstanding can be the heart of any legal dispute; sometimes with drastic consequences. When looking at words in…
PARENTING TIME & CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTES: LEAVE YOUR KIDS OUT OF IT!
Parents should know better than to involve their children in parental disputes. After all, whatever the reasons for the breakdown of the parents’ relationship; it isn’t the kid’s fault. For…
Paternity; Still a Matter of Biology
In Minnesota, the legal relationship between a child and parent is recognized because there are rights awarded and obligations imposed by that relationship. The State has an interest in not…
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…
Missed Parenting Time: Who’s to Blame?
My law partner Tim recently blogged about missed parenting time. See “Stop Messing With My Parenting Time! What Happens When Parenting Time is Lost Because a Parent Isn’t Following the…
STOP MESSING WITH MY PARENTING TIME! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PARENTING TIME IS LOST BECAUSE A PARENT ISN’T FOLLOWING THE SCHEDULE?
What happens when time with your children is being interfered with by the other parent? What if “activities”, “homework”, “sleepovers with friends”, or “illnesses”, become common themes of why your…
Restricting Parenting Time; When Can A Child Choose?
Courts have been asked to consider a child’s preference in deciding whether to allow parenting time. Recently, a district court’s decision to restrict parenting time was appealed after a child…
When parents and grandparents share custody OF A CHILD, who pays child support?
Under Minn. Stat. § 518A.35, subd. 1(b), “the basic child support obligation shall be determined by referencing the guideline for the appropriate number of joint children and the combined parental…