St. Paul Divorce Lawyer

St. Paul Divorce Lawyer

Every divorce follows its own unique paths, but the divorce terms established in your divorce will play an important role in you and your children’s future. Your parental rights and future financials are too important not to work closely with a dedicated St. Paul divorce lawyer from the outset.

The Terms of Your Divorce

The terms of your divorce will be unique based on your and your spouse’s circumstances, but they will include the same basic categories that every other divorce must address, including:

• The equitable (or fair) division of your marital property
• Your child custody arrangements 
• Child support 
• Alimony

The Division of Your Marital Property

That property that you and your spouse acquire together during the course of your marriage is considered marital property, which will be divided fairly (in relation to the circumstances) in the event of divorce. This division will directly affect your post-divorce finances, and it tends to be one of the most difficult elements of divorce. Factors that can further complicate this already complex issue include:

• Business ownership
• High assets
• Ownership of multiple properties

Your Child Custody Arrangements and Child Support

In Minnesota, custody is separated into both parenting time and legal custody, both of which can be either sole or joint. Custody refers to making the big parenting decisions on behalf of one’s children, and parenting time refers to whom the children live with and according to what time schedule. 

The court bases its decisions regarding child custody on the best interests of the children, which generally includes maintaining a relationship with both parents – to at least some degree. Child support is calculated according to state guidelines with very little room for discretion unless there are mitigating circumstances, such as a child with special needs. 

Alimony

Alimony (also called spousal maintenance) is intended to help balance one spouse’s post-divorce financial downturn with payments of a set amount and duration from the other spouse (who has the financial means to help). 

Your Divorce

Your divorce will be unique to you. If you and your divorcing spouse are able to find middle ground for each set of terms, the court will almost certainly accept them and finalize your divorce accordingly. If one or more of these terms becomes a sticking point that you and your divorcing spouse are unable to move past, the court will decide the matter on your behalf. Ultimately, the more negotiating you do with your soon-to-be-ex (with the professional legal guidance of your respective divorce attorneys), the less intervention you’ll need from the court and the more control you’ll have over the matter. 

Consult with an Experienced St. Paul Divorce Lawyer Today

If you’re facing a divorce, it’s a serious matter that requires serious attention. The accomplished St. Paul divorce lawyers at Atticus Family Law have reserves of experience helping clients like you successfully navigate the divorce process and obtain just divorce-terms that work for them. For more information about how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.