St. Louis Park Divorce Lawyers

St. Louis Park Divorce Lawyers

Divorce is hard on everyone, and if you’re facing a divorce, you probably have plenty of questions and concerns. The fact is that the outcome of your divorce will have a significant effect on you and your children’s future, so it’s important to give the matter your full attention from the outset. If you’re heading toward a divorce, it’s in your best interest to work closely with an experienced St. Louis Park divorce lawyer.

No-Fault Minnesota Divorce

In Minnesota, divorce is no-fault, and this means that there is no need to demonstrate anyone is responsible for the marital dissolution.  Instead, you’ll need to show the court that your marriage is broken beyond repair and that you don’t plan on living together as a married couple again. Typically, you will need to have lived apart for 180 days prior to filing for divorce or will otherwise need to demonstrate significant discord in your marriage. 

Jurisdiction Requirements

In order to get a divorce in Minnesota, either you or your divorcing spouse must have lived as a Minnesota resident for at least six months (180 days) prior to filing. Further, you’ll need to file for your divorce in a Minnesota county that at least one of you is currently living in. If you are in the military and have retained your Minnesota residency, you can file for divorce in Minnesota regardless of where you’re stationed or where you’ve been deployed to.

The Major Elements of Your Divorce

Before your divorce can be finalized, you and your divorcing spouse must agree upon terms related to the major divorce elements, which include:

• Division of Marital Property – Marital property typically refers to that property that you and your spouse acquired as a married couple. In a divorce, this property will be divided in a manner that is deemed equitable. 

• Child Custody Arrangements – If your divorce involves shared children, your child custody arrangements are paramount. In Minnesota, one parent is usually granted primary physical custody (the kids live primarily with him or her) while the other parent has a visitation schedule. In most circumstances, both parents share legal custody, which means they both participate in making important decisions on their children’s behalf. Such decisions include those about the kids’ education, religious upbringing, non-emergency medical care, and extracurricular activities.

• Child Support – Because both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially after divorce, the parent with the visitation schedule usually pays child support to the other parent. 
• Alimony (or Spousal Support) – Alimony is not always relevant in a divorce, but it refers to a monthly payment made by one spouse to the other to help him or her find financial stability post-divorce. Alimony is intended to level the financial playing field between the spouses, and payments are usually temporary.   

It’s Time to Consult with An Experienced St. Louis Park Divorce Lawyer

The formidable divorce attorneys at Atticus Family Law – proudly serving St. Louis Park – are committed to helping you obtain divorce terms that not only protect your rights but also support your best interests. We’re on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us today.