Moderated settlement conferences have become a bit of a trend in Minnesota, creating an easier, and more affordable way to resolve a divorce. Many family court judges are encouraging litigants to engage in this form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
A moderated settlement conference usually occurs after the “pretrial” hearing, but before the couple has
The two ways to end a marriage, voluntarily, are annulment and divorce. An annulment is the legal procedure that treats a marriage as if it never existed. It is legally erased. A divorce, however, is the legal dissolution of the marriage. Both parties are returned to single status.
The avenue a couple can pursue depends
You may wonder what happens if you are an unwed father to a newborn. Being a father means, naturally, taking on responsibility for your child, and making sure that you do what’s best for him or her. But what rights do you have as a father if you are not married to the mother of
It takes plenty of time and effort to finalize a divorce. Many people choose to hire a divorce mediator to help them settle matters amicably. But with so many mediators out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Let us help you with a few key tips on choosing the right divorce mediator. You should know that all divorce mediators are not created equal. Before you retain a mediator: Make sure he/she is an educator. A good divorce mediator will educate you on the law, to help you make an informed decision. Some mediators are …
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A divorce is a very difficult process. Typically there will be disagreement on parenting issues and finance. One asset the is usually deemed the most valuable within a divorce is a business. It is crucial to understand the various ways to appraise a business, if you own one. There are three common approaches to having a business appraised: The asset approach: Based on the value of the assets and liabilities of your business, including tangible and intangible assets. The income approach: Estimates the value of the business through expected …
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Each divorce case will vary from one another. In some cases, a parent might want to move out of state with his or her children. But, the non-custodial parent may be opposed of this idea. Typically, a child cannot be permanently relocated from his or her state of residence without approval from that court that gave the original custody order – unless the other parent consents. When parents agree to an out-of-state move, they should sign a written agreement reflecting that. A counselor, or mediator, may be hired to help resolve any issues of both …
Continue Reading An Overview of Motions to Move Out of State
Being involved in a high conflict divorce is extremely stressful, and can make the divorce process long and painful. Ideally a divorce can be quick and painless -and resolved amicably. That is not the case in a high conflict divorce. This term refers to a couple that creates a war among themselves, that will create long-term effects. Many individuals involved in creating a high conflict divorce have been found to have a narcissistic personality disorder. This means they see themselves as superior to their spouse and have little regard of the others …
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A parental consultant (PC) is a figure that both parents will agree upon, who is then appointed by a judge. The PC will provide expert opinion, and assist in resolving parenting issues that arise. Another similar individual used in cases is a parenting time expeditor. These individuals are court authorities and are to be treated like a judge, which means their decisions carry the same weight as a court order. They only make decisions related to parenting time. Unlike parenting time expeditors, parenting consultants are allowed to resolve any parenting …
Under Minnesota law, a marriage that does not meet certain criteria can be annulled. An annulment is different from a divorce.
Continue Reading What is a “Void” or “Voidable” Marriage and How Do They Differ in Minnesota?
Most divorces involve some type of division of property. However, not all assets or property are subject to division. Part of the divorce process explores the property of each party to determine what exactly needs to be divided. During this process, property is labeled as either “marital” or “non-marital.” Determining whether property is marital or non-marital is crucial in a divorce. In general, non-marital property will not be part of the “equitable” distribution between the parties. Non-marital property, as its name suggests, is property that …
Continue Reading The Distinction Between Marital and Non-Marital Property Interests