Legal Separations
Legal separations are an alternative to dissolutions of marriage for people who do not want a divorce but need a legal resolution of custody, child support, spousal maintenance and other property issues. The Court must make essentially the same decisions concerning these issues as it would in the course of dissolution of marriage actions except that the parties remain married. Legal separations are as complicated as dissolutions of marriage. Parties frequently resort to a legal separation due to a philosophical objection to dissolutions of marriage based upon their religion. If the parties later want a dissolution of marriage, they have to start a complete new legal proceeding.
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| Divorce
Minnesota Statutes provide that a marriage must be irretrievably broken down in order for the Court to grant a dissolution of marriage. It is necessary for a party to provide proof of separation of 180 days at the time the dissolution of marriage action was commenced; otherwise, (s)he must present proof that there has been conduct inconsistent with a good marital relationship during the course of their marriage.
Divorce Proceedings Overview>> | Protective Arrangements
Guardianship of the person and conservatorship of the estate are court proceedings for the appointment of a substitute decision maker where a person is incapacitated and unable to make decisions concerning abode, medical treatment, shelter, or personal finances. Services include: • Establishment of a
Protective Arrangement
• Preparation of
Annual Accounts
• Drafting of Annual
Personal Well Being
Reports
• Petition for Sale or
Mortgage of Real
Property
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| Custody
In cases where custody is disputed, Courts will often order an evaluation of the parties' respective parenting abilities. These evaluations can be performed by a local Social Service Agency or private evaluator, including social workers, psychologists and lawyers. Custody studies or evaluations involve interviews with the parents, friends, teachers, counselors, doctors and other professionals who have information bearing on the parties' ability to parent and the children's best interests. Learn More about Custody>> or Explore Expert Custodial Mediation & Negotiation>> |
