If you are moving forward with a divorce from your spouse, there are several things that you should know before you begin the process if you live in Minnesota. Below is a list of some of the top issues to consider.
1. It does not matter who is at fault: Minnesota is a no-fault divorce state which means that the court does need to see that one of the parties did something wrong. The court will not factor in infidelity or other marital issues when deciding to grant a divorce.
2. Your joint property will be divided equally: Any property that was purchased during your marriage is considered joint property and will be divided equally in a divorce settlement.
3. Minnesota courts generally prefer joint custody: If you share custody, you are likely thinking a lot about how your divorce will impact your kids. The state of Minnesota most often grants joint custody to both parents in a divorce, unless there is a safety reason not to do so.
4. The length of the divorce process can vary widely: The divorce process can take months or much, much longer, depending on how you decide to settle the terms of your divorce. Mediation can take 6-12 weeks to resolve but a court battle can last years.
5. The Minnesota courts recommend an alternative dispute resolution option before litigation: The state of Minnesota requires couples to try an alternative dispute resolution technique like divorce mediation before proceeding through the court system. Mediation is highly effective, less expensive, takes less time and the entire process can be completed without you having to walk into a courtroom. Of course, if mediation does not work or you have an extenuating circumstance, the courts can accommodate you, but you should expect scheduling to take some time.
Experienced And Compassionate Divorce Mediation Services
AMS Mediation can help you navigate the issues related to settling your divorce, including how to equitably divide your joint property, how to create a parenting plan that meets your children’s needs and evaluating whether spousal maintenance and/or child support is necessary. For more information or to schedule a time with our experienced staff, give us a call at 952-252-1492. We offer a variety of alternative dispute resolution options for divorce settlements, co-parenting and custody. Our staff brings knowledge, experience and compassion to the cases we take and will spend time getting to know you and your family so that we can provide you with the best possible service.
