Your Actions for a Successful Minnesota Divorce

Navigating a divorce in Minnesota is a significant life transition, involving complex issues like divorce, custody, and spousal maintenance. We believe success comes from a 3-part partnership between our legal expertise, introduction to key resources, and your proactive mindset. By taking the right actions and avoiding common mistakes, you can build a brighter future, regardless of where in the Greater Twin Cities your case is. Here’s how to thrive.

Actions That Lead to Success

1. Be Transparent from the Start

Honesty is critical. During your meetings with your AFL attorney, perhaps at the Carlson Towers in Wayzata, share all details about your finances, parenting dynamics, and any past conflicts. Disclose every asset, debt, and income source, even if it feels uncomfortable. Be clear about your goals, like securing custody for stability or spousal maintenance for financial security. Transparency guards against you developing outcome expectations that are far from realistic.

2. Engage in Discovery

Discovery is your attorney’s armory. Promptly complete financial and parenting questionnaires and upload documents—like tax returns or pay stubs—to our secure portal. If you’re handling a Ramsey County case or a matter is different county, proactively alert us to missing documents to keep your custody or spousal maintenance claims on track.

3. Commit to Learning

Embrace education as empowerment. Read our provided materials, like the AFL divorce and/or custody books, to understand your rights. Attend mindset coaching to manage emotions during custody disputes and review our videos on local legal processes. This knowledge helps you make informed decisions.

4. Communicate Effectively

Timely communication is key to our Team You case work. Respond to your team within 24–48 hours, whether we’re preparing for a custody hearing or a spousal maintenance negotiation. Ask questions to clarify doubts, and immediately report changes, like a job loss affecting spousal maintenance. Staying responsive keeps your case moving smoothly.

5. Collaborate on Strategy

You are a vital part of your legal strategy. Join us for sessions to define priorities, such as securing primary custody or fair spousal maintenance. Stay open to creative solutions, especially when working with the family court judges in Stillwater and other courthouses who value collaborative approaches in their courtrooms.

6. Follow Through

Success is 90% preparation – it sets you apart. Follow our guidance for mediation, custody evaluations, or trials, including reading briefs and meeting deadlines, like signing affidavits for a spousal maintenance hearing at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis. Showing up ready strengthens your position.

7. Parent Thoughtfully

Minnesota courts prioritize children’s best interests in custody cases. Focus on their well-being, not conflicts with the other parent. Maintain a stable, low-conflict home, and if needed, document parenting efforts with calendars or logs to support your case.

8. Practice Financial Responsibility

Avoid impulsive financial moves, like large withdrawals or new debts, without legal advice, as these can impact spousal maintenance rulings. Create a post-divorce budget reflecting Minnesota’s marital standard of living, and disclose any third-party financial support to ensure transparency.

9. Take Ownership

You’re the main character in your divorce story. Make confident decisions, reflect on trade-offs, and practice patience during negotiations. Taking ownership ensures outcomes align with your vision for the future.

Behaviors to Avoid in Minnesota Divorces

1. Control Emotions

Do not lash out at your spouse or opposing counsel, whether in person or online. Avoid posting about your divorce, custody, or spousal maintenance case on social media—it could* harm your credibility in court (by *could, assume it *will hurt you, as it is essential for you to assume that everything you say and do will be recognized with 100% transparency by the judge assigned to your family’s case)

2. Stick to the Strategy

Ignoring legal advice or making side deals, like altering custody arrangements, can derail your case. Avoid unapproved actions, such as stopping spousal maintenance payments, which could weaken your position.

3. Stay Organized

Do not procrastinate on document requests or lose key records, like financial statements or emails. Timely, organized submissions keep your case on track. If you find yourself in an emotional bind where you are mentally paralyzed, call upon our client coach to reset you!

4. Parent Wisely

Never alienate your children from their other parent or discuss legal matters with them. Avoid using kids as messengers in custody disputes, as this can complicate your case.

5. Build Trust

Withholding details about finances or parenting undermines your case. Trust your legal team fully and avoid testing our loyalty or comparing advice elsewhere.

6. Focus on the Future

Don’t treat divorce as a revenge mission. Chasing a “total victory” in custody or spousal maintenance disputes can cloud your judgment. Focus on building a better next chapter.

The Atticus Family Law Difference

Our AFL 3.0 philosophy blends exceptional lawyering with client empowerment through education and coaching. Whether we’re strategizing at the Carlson Towers, advocating in a Ramsey County case, preparing for an appearance before a Stillwater judge, or a big e-Filing to the Hennepin County Courthouse, we equip you to succeed. Take these steps, avoid pitfalls, and let’s shape your future together.

Contact us today to start your divorce journey with confidence.