Determining Parenting Time in Minnesota

Parenting time, once referred to as "visitation," is time that a parent spends with their child(ren)

As family law attorneys, we commonly see parents in conflict, sometimes major conflict, when attempting to establish a parenting time schedule. Whether unmarried parents who have separated or married parents who are getting divorced, it is extremely important for both parents to work together to set a parenting time schedule. If you can't do it together, with an attorney or a mediator, a judge will make the decision for you based on the best interests of the child(ren).

MN Criminal Court Process - What You Should Know

Many of the folks who come in for consultations are scared and completely unfamiliar with the criminal process in Minnesota. They are worried about how quickly things will occur, whether they will go to jail (and if so how soon), how much talking they will have to do in court and whether they need an attorney to defend their rights. Understanding the procedure in a criminal defense case can help ease worries and also help your attorney defend your rights under Minnesota Law. The procedure differs somewhat depending on the offense and how serious it is. It is important to understand that the language describing various hearings can differ considerably from county to county in MN.

How Child Support is Determined in Minnesota

Divorce & Family Law Attorneys Base Child Support on MN Guidelines

Children need financial support from both parents. According to Minnesota law, a child has the right to be financially supported by both parents. Child support is ordered whenever a married couple with children divorces or legally separates or when an unmarried couple has a child and paternity is established. As divorce attorneys, we calculate child support based on the MN Child Support Guidelines.

Domestic Abuse No Contact Order [DANCO]

DANCO Violation - What You Need to Know

Violating a DANCO is almost always as serious of an offense as the underlying domestic assault charge. Throughout my career, I have handled Domestic Assault cases, in which a DANCO proved to be a major pitfall for many of my clients. In all of the pretrial Domestic Assault cases and most of the probationary Domestic Assualt cases there was an active Domestic Abuse No Contact Order. Minn. Stat. §629.75, a court order prohibiting the defendant from having contact with the alleged victim and, almost invariably this includes, any children who live in the home. This order is frequently issued without any input from the alleged victim and sometimes over their objection. The DANCO remains in place while the charges are pending and continues to remain in place if the defendant is placed on probation. Only the judge can lift a DANCO. The alleged victim cannot “lift” the DANCO even if she or the children want to have contact with the Defendant.