» Children

In Minnesota, child custody decisions are made based on the “best interests” of the children involved. Like other states, Minnesota has a list of factors that courts must consider when determining what custody arrangement would be in the children… Read More

Divorce is difficult for the adults going through it, but as tough as it may be, adults have a couple of things going for them: they have some measure of control over the situation, and they are, well, adults. It can be easy to forget, in the midst o… Read More

In Minnesota, it used to matter a great deal, on multiple levels, how a parent’s custodial relationship to his or her child was described. Custody labels affected child support and a parent’s ability to move out of state. Changes in Minne… Read More

When Minnesota parents divorce or separate, their relationship doesn’t end. Instead, it transforms from a romantic relationship into a co-parenting relationship, in which the children are the focus of the parents’ interactions with each o… Read More

If you have a child with another person, whether you’re divorced or have never been married, you know that it is impossible to completely sever ties with your co-parent so long as both of you want to have a relationship with your child. Almost… Read More

Minnesota, like other states, operates on the premise that it is in a child’s best interests to have regular, frequent, and meaningful contact with both parents. While it’s difficult to argue with this premise, the way parents and courts… Read More

Its getting to be that time of year again, back to school. Which for some parents is a great relief, but for separated parents it can be quite stressful. What happens when you have joint legal custody and you disagree with your ex about where your ch… Read More

Divorce is undoubtedly a challenging time as parents and children adjust to necessary changes in home life, daily routine, and new roles within the family. It is a time of transition, and it is to be expected that such a significant event in the life… Read More

One of the most challenging aspects of any divorce can be learning how to cope with the changes that divorce brings, after the papers have been signed and the court proceedings are over. For couples with children to the marriage, adjusting to shared… Read More

For parents going through a divorce or attempting to modify a custody order, this is a question that is often on their minds. In Minnesota, this question does not always have a simple answer. Under state law, custody is determined based on what is in… Read More

A child custody order will invariably affect the wellbeing of your children and influence the dynamics of your family life. We often hear from concerned parents whether it be a mother anxious about her ex-husband’s drinking problem or drug abuse, o… Read More

I spent 10 years working as an assistant county attorney in Southern Minnesota in the 90’s. One of my duties was to sit on the child protection team. It consisted of child protection workers, lay community members, a doctor from the Mayo Clinic… Read More

One of the thorniest issues in a divorce or custody and parenting time matter is who gets to claim the kids on their income tax returns. It should not be done by going eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Understanding the ins and outs of the federal and state ta… Read More