The ICMC is an informal hearing. No arguments are presented, or decisions made – except for a determination concerning how to move forward in the most efficient manner.

Any issues that are not resolved among the parties can be resolved through the selection of a settlement process known as early neutral evaluation. The fundamental purpose of the ICMC is to obtain a referral for ENE – or elect to litigate.

FENE

One neutral expert is assigned in the Financial Early Neutral Evaluation (“FENE“) program. They start by gathering all of the necessary financial information, and listening carefully to the position of each party (with the assistance of their lawyer). A candid assessment made regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each side’s case. Negotiation follows.

Fortunately, more than 70% of cases are resolved through FENE, with approximately $1,000 in neutral expert fees. This may seem expensive, but the end result is a fraction of the cost of traditional litigation and trial.

SENE

Social Issue Early Neutral Evaluation (SENE) is used to resolve custody and parenting issues. In this type of evaluation, there are two custody experts assigned - one male and one female, to avoid any perceived gender bias.

The evaluators meet with the parties, and their lawyers, to listen to their position. Once all of the information is presented, the evaluators break, and meet privately to discuss the matter. Then, they return to provide an evaluative opinion about the likely outcome if the matter moved forward to a more traditional custody study. Once the opinion is given, the parties discuss and negotiate. Approximately 65% of SENE referrals result in a settlement.

If you have questions about the ICMC, FENE or SENE process, we invite you to contact us. These programs are designed to facilitate an early settlement – even in the most difficult cases. Our lawyers have participated in hundreds of these evaluations, and we are prepared to assist you, as necessary. Please call (612) 789-2100 to speak with a lawyer free of charge.

First, the parental rights of the biological father are terminated. Usually this is done on a voluntary basis, although in some instances and involuntary termination of parental rights will be necessary.

The court will not grant a voluntary termination of a father’s parental rights unless mother’s new husband is ready to adopt the child.

An involuntary termination of parental rights is appropriate when the biological father will not consent, but there is an adequate statutory basis to terminate. The statutes in this area have recently been amended, and some additional opportunities for an involuntary termination have been created.

Once the termination process is complete, the next phase of a step parent adoption involves drafting the adoption paperwork. The relevant pleadings include not only a petition for adoption, but also affidavits from the parties. Proposed findings for the court to sign will accompany a certificate of adoption and request to amend the birth certificate of the minor child.

This complete package of pleadings, and other information, is then filed with the court administrator.

The third phase of the step parent adoption involves court approval of the adoption itself. Unlike a traditional adoption, the county will conduct a rather minimal background check concerning the step parent. Once this process has concluded, the court administrator will notify the parties, and the judge, that the matter is ready for hearing.

The final hearing is relatively straightforward. The parties, along with the child, will appear in court, and answer some simple questions about the request for the step parent adoption. Photos and celebration usually follow.

Should you have any questions about step parent adoption, feel free to contact us. Our attorneys have represented clients in step parent adoptions throughout the entire Twin Cities area. Call 612-767-4404 to speak with one of our Minnesota step parent adoption lawyers free of charge. We will answer all of your questions and provide the guidance necessary during this most exciting time.

In a social early neutral evaluation, the lawyers and clients will meet with a pair of evaluators. These individuals are usually social workers, custody evaluators, or experienced family law practitioners. The team will consist of one male and one female, to avoid the perception of gender bias.

Most social early neutral evaluation sessions are approximately three hours long.

During the first hour, the parties themselves do most of the talking. The evaluators want to hear from each side. Issues such as physical custody, legal custody and parenting time are discussed. The role of the lawyers during this part of the process is typically rather limited, as the evaluators want to absorb information directly from the litigants.

During the second hour, the evaluators do the hard work. Once the evaluators have heard from the parties, and asked all of the questions that need answering, they will break and discuss the matter privately. This part of the ENE typically takes about 30 minutes. During this time, the parties are usually separated.

Next the parties, the lawyers, and the evaluators come back together, and the opinions of the evaluators are expressed. The opinions of evaluators are nonbinding, but provide some insight into what two qualified individuals believe the likely outcome will be if the matter proceeds to trial. The opinions of the evaluators will not become known to the judge.

Once evaluators have provided their thoughts, the third hour of the session occurs. During this third hour, the parties separate, and negotiation begins. Some, or all, of the relevant issues may be discussed, such holiday schedules, routine access schedules, summer vacation time and non-school days.

About 75% of the time, a settlement will be reached. If the settlement is reached, the terms of the settlement are put into a memo, which is then forwarded to the judge. Assuming the court approves of the agreement, the agreement will be incorporated into the final divorce decree.

Because of the success of this type of forum, many counties have now adopted the social early neutral evaluation model. Some (like Anoka County) call it a custody parenting time early neutral evaluation, or CPENE, where Hennepin County uses the SENE label.

Our lawyers have participated in hundreds of early neutral evaluations. If you have questions about the process, we invite you to give us a call at (612) 767-4404.

It is typical for a contempt motion to be made in a family law case when one party has violated an order of the court, such as an order to pay child support, spousal maintenance, or a parenting time arrangement.

The contempt rules are rather strict, in an effort to motivate individuals to comply with court orders. A particular action (or inaction) may constitute contempt if the following criteria are met:

• The court must have jurisdiction over the case in order to file a motion; and
• It must be properly alleged by the non-offending party that offending party has violated the directive of the judge.

When a contempt motion is filed against a litigant, that person must show up to a hearing and prove that they did comply with the court order, or have an adequate explanation as to why they violated it. An “Order to Show Cause” mandates such an appearance.

If the individual is found in contempt of court, a conditional penalty may be handed down by the judge. Sanctions can include fines, fees, transfer of property, jail time, or any penalty that the court deems appropriate.

Our Minneapolis divorce lawyers routinely represent clients in contempt cases – either pursuing contempt, or defending against a contempt claim. We invite you to contact us at (612) 767-4404 to discuss your situation free of charge.

The same is true in Minnesota. While easy to simply utter “we’re a no-fault state,” we’re not entirely no-fault. Here’s a compare/contrast between they Thyden summary and Minnesota law:

Property:

East Coast. In determining how marital property is to be equitably distributed, each jurisdiction has another list of factors the court must consider.  In Maryland, there is a catch all provision that includes any other factors that the court considers appropriate.  In Virginia, one factor is circumstances contributing to the dissolution of marriage.  In DC, it is circumstances contributing to the estrangement.

Minnesota: We see fault creep into asset and liability allocations through the dissipation of assets, concealing of assets, or ”sin spending.” If a party dissipates assets (sells while divorce is imminent) the non-selling spouse will likely receive their share of that asset, on the balance sheet, as part of the ultimate distribution. If a spouse conceals assets, the court may ultimately award the concealed asset, in full, to the innocent spouse. And, if one party gambles away marital assets, or incurs substantial debt in relation to alcohol abuse, cheating or gambling, the court may allocate the financial consequences of ”faulty” behavior to the “sinning” spouse.

Custody:

East Coast. Marital misconduct does not necessarily make you a bad parent.  The test is best interest of the children.  But the parties think it is important that the judge know what a scoundrel the other parent is, especially if the other parent is slinging mud, too.

Minnesota. Minnesota’s “best interest standard” takes into account behavior that impedes a spouse’s ability to adequately parent a child. For example, if alcoholism led to a breakdown in the marital relationship, no impact on spousal maintenance. Custody? The court is absolutely interested in hearing about it…and how the alcohol abuse has affected the children. The same is true with domestic abuse, adultery or late night partying.

Alimony:

East Coast: In each jurisdiction, the law provides a list of factors the court must consider in determining alimony. In Maryland and DC, one of the factors is circumstances surrounding the estrangement of the parties. In Virginia, adultery can prevent a spouse from receiving alimony unless the court finds that would create a manifest injustice.

Minnesota: A list of factors for the court to consider, but the circumstances surrounding the estrangement of the parties is not one of the them. Nor is the question of adultery. Many of our clients are shocked (“outraged” is a more accurate description) to learn that their spouse’s cheating has no bearing on an award of spousal maintenance. Might a newly-elected conservative legislature in Minnesota be open to changing the statute? Wouldn’t surprise me.

The first step in allocating a business interest involves ascertaining a market value for the entity. It should come as no surprise that business owners typically think their enterprise is worth very little when a spouse comes knocking with divorce papers. That’s when a divorce attorney experienced in complex property valuation and allocation cases can help.

In an effort to combat the difficulty associated with determining the market value of a business interest, one (or sometimes both) parties will retain the services of a qualified business appraiser to evaluate the asset. The best business appraisers are certified in their field, have many years of experience and hold advanced degrees and credentials in accounting. We have ongoing relationships with some of the best appraisers in the Twin Cities.

The cost of a business appraisal varies widely, depending upon the qualifications of the appraiser and the nature of the company being valued. Naturally, the larger the enterprise, the more involved the appraisal will be. Base rates for appraisals of simple sole proprietorships typically range from $4,000 to $6,000.

As part of their valuation, business appraisers will produce a detailed report. These reports become evidence in the case and describe the information gathered by the evaluator, methods utilized to determine value and an ultimate opinion as to the value of the business.

Evaluators will use some, or all, of the following approaches in determining the value of a business:

• Income Approach: Values a business based upon the ability to generate economic benefit for the owners. For example, if a small business is a “high risk” investment, a buyer may wish to realize a return of 20% per year on equity. As a result, the business may be worth five times the profits of the business.
• Asset Approach: Values a business based on a balance sheet of assets less liabilities. Profits are not taken into account, just equipment, inventory and goodwill, offset by debts owed.
• Market Approach: Values a business by comparing historic sales of similar businesses. An evaluator may research recent sales in the marketplace to determine what a willing buyer would pay for the business interest.

Please contact me if you have further questions about the division of business interests in a Minnesota divorce. Our Minneapolis divorce lawyers offer a free consultation to all potential clients.

Custody is an emotionally-charged issue, with a lot of uncertainty for parents and kids.

Topics in this podcast include the difference between physical custody and legal custody, joint custody as compared to sole custody, the “best interest of the child” factors and the key facts judges look toward in making custody decisions.

Run Time: 12:52

A parenting time expeditor works to resolve parenting time disputes by interpreting and enforcing an existing court order. Some parties never use the expeditor, even if appointed, because no conflicts arise. Others use them once. Still others…quite regularly.

Expeditors are supposed to first mediate disputes between parents. If the parents are unable to come to an agreement on their own, the expeditor issues a written decision.

Once a dispute is brought to the attention of the expeditor, they expeditor will meet with the parties in a relatively short period of time – often the same day, by telephone.

If a decision is required of the expeditor, it must be consistent with the existing order. In other words, an expeditor does not have the authority to create new schedules or conditions of visitation.

The decision can include an award of compensatory parenting time, along with an award of attorney’s fees and costs. The opinion must be written and mailed to each party, and is subject to review by the district court if either party requests a hearing. Usually the expeditor’s decision is subject to “appeal” to the district court for a period of 14 days. Thereafter, the right to have the matter addressed by the court is extinguished.

Either party can move the court to remove the parenting time expeditor, but must show “good cause” for doing so. Such a feat can be rather difficult, but tempting to those who are not happy with the decisions of the expeditor.

The disagreements can go on and on, and that means the court has to intervene with the custody evaluation process. A custody evaluator is appointed, or hired, to review the situation and create a report that the court uses to determine what is in the best interest of the minor child.

It is best to cooperate with the custody evaluator in every way possible. How you interact with the evaluator is going to carry a lot of weight in the evaluation – even though the relevant statute doesn’t reference your conduct during the process.

Here are some things you should keep in mind when working with a custody evaluator:

• They will sometimes make you feel that they are on your side. This is so you will put your guard down. Never ever make the assumption that the evaluator is on your side.
• Keep in mind that they are human, and will react adversely to certain personalities. If you’re honest and open, then that is going to work in your favor.
• The custody evaluator doesn’t care about who the good guys and the bad guys are. It is what is best for the child that concerns them.
• Do not argue with the custody evaluator. You need to make eye contact and listen to them. You need to establish rapport with them, so it may help that you nod your head in acknowledgment of what they are saying. If you disagree, disagree nicely. You need to get your own points across so that they are considered.
• Provide the evaluator with all supporting documentation, and any other documents that may be requested. It is also important to provide these documents in a timely manner.
• If there are any collateral contacts, provide the evaluator with their names. These are individuals that are aware of your competence as a parent, and can vouch for the weak points of the other party.

About 95% of the time, the judge will adopt the recommendations of the custody evaluator. We’ve successfully tried many cases, however, in which we were able to discredit the opinion of the evaluator and gain an award of custody in favor of our client. Still, the odds are against if the report comes back in favor of your spouse. For obvious reasons, it is critical to have the custody evaluator on your side.

1. Settle Some Things. This means the judge won’t be in control of everything.
2. Expect Unfavorable Decisions. There are three directions the judge can go when making a decision: Your way, your spouse’s way, or the Judge’s way. As you can see, two out three are not in your favor.
3. Let Your Divorce Attorney Do the Talking. Do not speak unless asked to do so by the Judge.
4. Respect is an Absolute. When addressing the Judge with respect by addressing him/her as “Your Honor.”
5. Don’t Address Your Spouse. Never speak to or make comments to your spouse when you are before the Judge.
6. Check Your Emotions at the Door. Do not make faces or gestures when the judge or your spouse’s attorney is speaking. Judges see this and do not appreciate it.
7. Dress for the Occasion. Your attorney will have a certain strategy on how he/she wants you to be portrayed. Therefore, consult your attorney on how he/she wants you to dress.
8. Write. Don’t leave anything to chance. Your attorney will be very busy during the process and cannot remember or write everything down.
9. Come Prepared. Bring as much information, documentation and any pertinent documents that you possibly can with you. It is better to have too much ammunition than not enough.
10. Be Ready to Wait. You will sometimes wait for hours before your case is called.

Good suggestions. We would also suggest leaving all digital devices in the car. We recall a lawyer whose cell phone rang in the middle of his intense cross examination of our client in a recent trial. The more memorable impression was the expression on the judge’s face.