I Pay Spousal Maintenance: Can I Retire?
In a different blog, I wrote on the topic of the duration of “transitional” (previously known as “temporary”) spousal maintenance. There is now a rebuttable presumption in the law that…
Spousal Maintenance: How Long Does It Last?
Following a divorce, in addition to dividing marital property with your spouse, you may also have to pay child support and/or spousal maintenance (i.e. alimony). But how long do these…
Spousal Maintenance and Standard of Living in Minnesota
Marc and I have been practicing law together for 10 years; and before that we practiced at different firms for many years. During our combined 40+ years of practicing law,…
Tier I & Tier II Spousal Maintenance in Minnesota
Minnesota law defines spousal maintenance as an award of payments from the future income or earnings of a former spouse to the other former spouse. Minn. Stat. §518.003 subd 3a….
Upward Deviations: Making a Parent Pay More Than Guidelines Child Support
Minnesota child support obligations are determined using guidelines established by the legislature. These guidelines (called the ‘Child Support Guidelines’) provide a presumed support amount for courts to use when making…
Divorce Decrees: How “Creative” Should They Be?
In some ways, going through the divorce process can be like closing on a home. Many different forms and documents are prepared that you are asked to sign. It can…
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…
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…
Palimony in Minnesota
NBA star Blake Griffin made the news recently. And not because he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. No, he was sued by his ex-fiancé for what is often referred…
The New Tax Law and Spousal Maintenance
If you pay attention to the news at all, then I’m sure you know that Congress recently passed a new tax reform law. There are many sweeping changes to the…