Minnesota’s family law statutes underwent significant revisions effective August 1, 2024, introducing changes to spousal maintenance awards.
Spousal maintenance, also referred to as alimony or spousal support, has long been a contentious issue in divorce cases. Historically, Minnesota’s laws provided limited guidance on spousal maintenance awards, giving judges broad discretion and resulting in inconsistent outcomes
Spousal maintenance is an emotionally-charged issue in divorce. I’ve handled many cases requiring a trial because the parties could not agree on whether alimony was appropriate, or the amount and duration of spousal maintenance. Maintenance is tricky because, unlike child support, there are no formal guidelines or formulas to assist divorce litigants in determining what
Spousal maintenance (or alimony) can be a temporary or permanent order. A temporary spousal maintenance order outlines the specific obligations for support – such as how many months or years the alimony must be paid. For a permanent spousal maintenance order there are a few reasons that will allow you to modify the award. As
Child support and spousal maintenance can bring notable financial complications to any divorce, but this is even more true of splits involving service members. A few of the most notable concerns related to military-based support are highlighted below:
Continue Reading Child Support And Spousal Maintenance For Military Service Members
Divorce is never easy, but mental health issues can add an additional layer of complication. Minnesota is a no-fault dissolution state, so illness (whether physical or mental in nature) cannot serve as grounds for divorce. Still, mental illness can play a significant role in several aspects of divorce — most notably, maintenance and child custody.
Continue Reading Divorcing Someone with Medical Challenges: Special Considerations
After a certain age, the primary concerns of divorce change. Child custody issues give way to retirement squabbles. Suddenly, your future as a retiree looks a lot less secure. The good news? You may still retain your ex’s Social Security benefits. Read on to learn more about the role divorce plays in Social Security — and how you can maximize benefits.
Continue Reading Does Getting Divorced Affect Your Social Security Benefits?
Your ex hates the idea of giving you even a penny of alimony or child support. You suspect that, in an effort to minimize these payments, your ex has hidden considerable income or assets. Your response can determine whether he or she is held accountable for this despicable behavior. Follow these simple steps to uncover
Recent changes in and proposals regarding Minnesota (and federal) legislation promise to significantly alter the divorce process. Changes to spousal maintenance arrangements are of particularly significant concern to both currently divorcing and already divorced spouses. It is important to keep abreast of such developments, as they could impact your tax return or your maintenance obligations. Read on to learn more about recent updates in spousal maintenance law:
Republican lawmakers gathered shortly before Christmas to celebrate their crowning achievement of 2017: an overhaul of the United States tax system, including significant tax cuts for many Americans. For lawmakers, this marks a high point in a drawn-out effort, but for the rest of us, the process is just beginning. The legislation favors some more than others, and unfortunately, many divorcees may see their tax burden rise in the near future.
Continue Reading How the GOP’s Tax Bill Could Impact Divorcing Couples
Spousal maintenance, also called alimony, allows a lower-earning spouse to retain a standard of living similar to the one that he or she enjoyed during the marriage. Once this arrangement has been established, under what circumstances can it be changed?
The alimony process aims to create fair results based on the marriage’s history, the spouses’
