Divorce
Safeguarding Your Interests
When you decide to divorce, it is important to protect your rights through the complex process of dividing assets, child custody, and child and spousal support. At the Huson Law Firm, PLLC, our St. Paul divorce attorneys have more than 20 years of combined experience in helping clients achieve fair and reasonable outcomes for these difficult issues. We see our work as creating workable and realistic solutions that allow for a happier future.
How To File For Divorce In Minnesota
As Minnesota is a purely no-fault divorce state, the only ground for divorce is the “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage. Neither party has to prove marital misconduct or fault.
If both spouses agree on all issues, including the division of property and child custody, you need only file a Joint Petition for Divorce to dissolve your marriage. Divorce is more complicated when spouses do not agree. One spouse serves the other with a Summons and Petition. If the couple agrees at this point, one or both prepare Stipulated Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree, which dissolves their marriage when the court approves.
If the spouse disagrees, they respond with an Answer. The couple then goes to court or submits to an alternative dispute resolution process. Either spouse can submit a motion for a Temporary Order to cover expenses through the divorce. The divorce is final when a judge signs the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Order for Judgment and Judgment and Decree and it is entered by court administration.
The attorneys at the Huson Law Firm, PLLC, help clients through every step of the divorce process.
How Long Does The Divorce Process Take?
Divorce can take longer than getting married. If both parties agree on the issues and cooperate, divorce in Minnesota can take only four to six weeks. Disputed divorces that go to court can take six months to years to complete, depending on the cooperative or combative nature of the spouses and the extent of their disagreements on issues such as child custody, spousal maintenance and property division. Your attorney also affects the length of your divorce. At the Huson Law Firm, PLLC, we are committed to fostering agreement, but when necessary, we put our compelling litigation skills to work to get our clients the best resolution possible.
What Are The Different Types Of Divorces?
Traditional divorce, which involves airing your disputes in a courtroom and submitting to a judge’s decisions, is well-known. Alternatives to this process include:
- Legal separation. For couples who do not want to end their marriage for religious or other reasons, legal separation still requires agreement over key issues.
- Mediation. A neutral third party helps spouses reach agreement through a process that is less structured but is not subject to rules of evidence.
- Collaborative. Both partners have access to legal counsel without having to appear in court. Outside experts are used as neutrals to advise spouses on points of contention.
- Pro se. “Do-it-yourself” divorce is best for couples with no or few disputes, few assets and no children. However, parties are without legal counsel to protect their interests.
A St. Paul divorce attorney from Huson Law Firm, PLLC, has the experience to find the most appropriate and effective method for any family law situation.
Contact A Divorce Attorney In St. Paul, Minnesota, Resolved To Further Your Best Interests
Our practice is focused on protecting the rights of clients and offers an experienced service with regard to all legal matters related to divorce. Call the St. Paul metropolitan area’s Huson Law Firm, PLLC, at 651-968-0822 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.