A YEAR OF LIVING WITH THE ‘COHABITATION’ PROVISION IN SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE LAW
It’s been more than a year since new law went into effect, allowing a court to determine whether maintenance can be modified based on a recipient’s cohabitation with another adult…
The Price of Freedom
During the divorce negotiation process, it is easy to become entrenched in a certain position. Say, for example, that your spouse is seeking spousal maintenance. You make a greater income…
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…
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…
RE-OPENING A SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE AWARD – NO SLAM DUNK
The Court of Appeals recently reminded us that alimony (or spousal maintenance as it is called by statute) is still very much alive and well in Family Court. After a…
Divorce Settlements: Your Terms versus the Judge’s Terms
Clients will sometimes ask me whether the Court would “allow” a certain settlement proposal. My response is almost always that so long as both parties agree to the terms, you…
Can I Afford To Be Divorced in Minnesota?
What will I do if I can’t rely on my spouse’s earnings to meet my living expenses? Good question; and one that any spouse who relies on the earnings of…
Divorce and Your Job
Divorce lawyers see it all the time. One (or both) of the parties to a divorce has had a steadily increasing income in the years prior to the divorce. Access…