When filing for divorce in Minnesota, one of the most critical legal questions is whether the courts have jurisdiction over your case. Jurisdiction determines a court’s power to hear and decide a case. Without proper jurisdiction, any orders issued—including those related to property division, spousal maintenance, child custody, and child support—may be invalid.

Jurisdiction in divorce cases involves two primary legal concepts: subject-matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction. Both must be satisfied for a Minnesota court to have the authority to grant a divorce and issue enforceable orders.

This article explains these legal principles and how they apply to your divorce in Minnesota.

Subject-Matter Jurisdiction: Does Minnesota Have the Authority to Grant Your Divorce?

Subject-matter jurisdiction refers to a court’s power to hear certain types of cases. In Minnesota, family courts have subject-matter jurisdiction over divorce cases if at least one spouse meets the state’s residency requirements.

Minnesota’s Residency Requirement for Divorce

Under Minnesota Statutes § 518.07, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days (approximately six months) before filing for divorce. This requirement ensures that Minnesota has a legitimate interest in adjudicating the marriage dissolution.

Exceptions to the Residency Rule

There are limited exceptions to the six-month residency requirement, including:

• Military Service Members: If a spouse is stationed in Minnesota for military duty, they may be considered a resident for divorce purposes.
• Same-Sex Marriages: If a same-sex couple married in Minnesota but currently lives in a state that does not recognize their marriage, they may file for divorce in Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes § 518.07, subd. 2.

If neither spouse meets the residency requirement, the court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, and the case cannot proceed in Minnesota.

What Happens If the Residency Requirement Is Not Met?

If you do not meet the residency requirement, you have a few options:

1. Wait until one spouse has lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing.
2. File in another state where you or your spouse meet the residency requirements (e.g., a state where one of you currently resides).

Personal Jurisdiction: Does Minnesota Have Authority Over Your Spouse?

Even if a Minnesota court has subject-matter jurisdiction, it also needs personal jurisdiction over the other spouse to make binding rulings on property division, spousal maintenance, and child-related matters.

How Minnesota Courts Establish Personal Jurisdiction

A Minnesota court has personal jurisdiction over a spouse if:

1. They Live in Minnesota – If your spouse resides in Minnesota, the court automatically has jurisdiction over them.
2. They Are Served Divorce Papers in Minnesota – If your spouse is personally served with the divorce petition while physically present in Minnesota, the court can assert jurisdiction.
3. They Have Significant Connections to Minnesota – Even if your spouse lives in another state, the court may have jurisdiction if they have sufficient ties to Minnesota. This includes:
   • Owning property in Minnesota
   • Conducting business in Minnesota
   • Previously living in Minnesota with you as a married couple
4. They Consent to Minnesota’s Jurisdiction – If your spouse does not contest jurisdiction and participates in the case, they effectively submit to Minnesota’s authority.

What If My Spouse Lives in Another State?

If your spouse resides outside Minnesota and has no meaningful connections to the state, establishing personal jurisdiction can be challenging. Without personal jurisdiction, the Minnesota court may:

• Grant the divorce itself (dissolving the marriage), but
• Lack authority to issue orders for spousal maintenance, child support, or property division affecting your spouse.

If your spouse challenges jurisdiction, you may need to litigate the issue before proceeding with your divorce.

The “Long-Arm Statute” and Divorce Cases

Minnesota’s long-arm statute (Minnesota Statutes § 543.19) allows courts to exercise jurisdiction over out-of-state individuals in certain circumstances. For example, if your spouse once lived in Minnesota and your marriage had significant connections to the state, a Minnesota court may still assert jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction Over Child Custody and Support

If you and your spouse have minor children, jurisdictional issues become even more complex. Minnesota follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) to determine which state has jurisdiction over custody matters.

Home State Rule for Child Custody

Under the UCCJEA, Minnesota has jurisdiction over child custody if:

• The child has lived in Minnesota for at least six consecutive months before the case is filed, or
• Minnesota was the child’s most recent home state, and no other state has a stronger claim to jurisdiction.

If another state is the child’s home state, Minnesota may lack jurisdiction to decide custody unless the other state declines jurisdiction.

Child Support Jurisdiction

Child support jurisdiction follows the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). Generally, Minnesota can order child support if the child or one of the parents lives in the state. However, enforcement of child support may involve multiple states.

Challenging Jurisdiction in a Minnesota Divorce

If you or your spouse believe Minnesota does not have proper jurisdiction, you can challenge the case by filing a motion to dismiss. The court will then determine whether jurisdiction exists.

Common jurisdictional challenges include:

• Arguing that another state has a stronger connection to the marriage.
• Claiming that service of process was improper.
• Asserting that the spouse does not have sufficient ties to Minnesota.

If jurisdiction is successfully challenged, you may need to file for divorce in another state.

Conclusion: Ensuring Minnesota Has Jurisdiction Over Your Divorce

For a Minnesota court to handle your divorce, it must have both subject-matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction.

• Subject-matter jurisdiction requires that at least one spouse has lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing.

• Personal jurisdiction depends on whether the court has authority over your spouse, which may be based on residency, service within the state, or significant connections to Minnesota.

If your spouse lives in another state, or if you have questions about jurisdiction, it’s best to consult an experienced Minnesota family law attorney. Properly establishing jurisdiction ensures that your divorce proceedings are legally valid and enforceable.

If you’re considering filing for divorce in Minnesota and are unsure about jurisdiction, contact our law firm for a consultation. We can assess your situation and guide you through the legal process.