Guide to Finding Minnesota Divorce Lawyer

Seeking divorce is a stressful and difficult process. If you need a divorce in the state of Minnesota, you may be wondering how a Minnesota divorce lawyer could assist in the process. Whether you are in the very first stages of contemplating divorce or separation, or if you are in the middle of a difficult divorce process, MN divorce lawyers can help you to dissolve your marriage while keeping what matters to you most.

This guide will help you understand the role of your MN divorce lawyer in Minnesota's divorce laws and how Minnesota divorce lawyers can aid you in navigating the divorce court system. You will learn how MN divorce lawyers can assist you with child support, spousal support, and child custody arrangements. You will also learn the difference between contested and uncontested divorces, and how your choice affects the fees of Minnesota divorce lawyers. Once you have read this guide, you can begin to seek representation by qualified MN divorce lawyers with a solid understanding of their job.

Do I Need A Minnesota Divorce Lawyer?

The state of Minnesota allows you to file for divorce with or without the assistance of a MN divorce lawyer. However, consulting with a Minnesota divorce lawyer can help you to understand the rights that you have as a spouse or parent, and Minnesota divorce lawyers are experienced in seeking the best possible divorce settlements for their clients.

Can I Afford a Minnesota Divorce Lawyer?

Divorce can already be messy and expensive, and you may worry that hiring MN divorce lawyers will simply add to your expenses. However, given how subjective so much of divorce court negotiation can be, a Minnesota divorce lawyer may actually be able to save you money.

Depending on what kind of divorce you seek, your MN divorce lawyer may offer you a flat fee service or charge based on an hourly rate. Either way, an initial consultation with Minnesota divorce lawyers can keep you informed on their fee structures and your divorce options. Consulting with a Minnesota divorce lawyer can let you make an informed decision about representation and fees.

Contested and Uncontested Divorces

If you are seeking a divorce, have no children, and can agree on how to divide all of your marital property, your MN divorce lawyers will advise you that you are eligible to file for an uncontested divorce. These divorces are streamlined so that you can divorce with a minimum of involvement from your MN divorce lawyer. Because uncontested divorces are simpler and involve less negotiation, many Minnesota divorce lawyers will file an uncontested divorce for a low flat fee.

If you have children, or cannot agree on how to divide your property, your Minnesota divorce lawyer can help you to start a contested divorce. In a contested divorce, each of your MN divorce lawyers will negotiate along with a divorce court judge to divide your property fairly. Because these cases are more complex and hard to predict, your MN divorce lawyer will charge an hourly rate. Minnesota divorce lawyers can provide an estimate of the hours required to file your divorce case, allowing you to budget, but your Minnesota divorce lawyer may need more or less time than the estimate.

Minnesota Divorce Lawyers and Spousal Support

In some cases, Minnesota allows your Minnesota divorce lawyer to seek money from the other spouse as spousal support, or alimony. Whether you are the spouse seeking alimony or attempting to avoid paying alimony, a Minnesota divorce lawyer can make sure your voice is heard. Minnesota divorce lawyers understand the complex factors that divorce court lawyers look at when trying to decide whether to grant spousal support, and your MN divorce lawyer can make your situation more understandable to a judge.

Your Minnesota divorce lawyer can also use the benefit of his or her experience to tell you how likely you are to receive alimony, and MN divorce lawyers can help you decide whether to seek it or to focus on other aspects of your case.

Child Support

In divorce proceedings, Minnesota divorce lawyers know that courts determine child support payments based on the best interests of the children involved. If your case involves child support, a Minnesota divorce lawyer can assist you in negotiating a fair child support settlement that provides for your children and remains affordable.

MN divorce lawyers are often also versed in family court law and can advise you as to your options for enforcing child support if your spouse has become delinquent. Because negotiating a fair amount of child support can be difficult, hiring a Minnesota divorce lawyer gives you the best chance at an equitable arrangement that both spouses can agree to.

Child Custody and PAS

Divorce battles over child custody can become emotional rapidly. Minnesota divorce lawyers are experienced in negotiating child custody arrangements. Whether you are seeking sole custody, joint custody, or visitation rights, your MN divorce lawyer can help you see your children more.

As divorces get ugly, some parents choose to alienate children from their other parent. If you suspect your child's other parent is doing this, consult with a Minnesota divorce lawyer immediately. Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a newly-understood syndrome that occurs when one parent tries to turn his or her children against the other parent. Since divorce courts grant child custody based on the best interests of the child, MN divorce lawyers can help you to prove that your child has PAS and get custody for you.

Retaining the services of Minnesota divorce lawyers gives you the best chance of keeping your children and obtaining the custody arrangements you want. Your MN divorce lawyer can help you figure out which type of custody is right for you, and MN divorce lawyers can tell you how likely you are to obtain the kind of custody you are seeking based on their experience in previous cases.

Mediation

When emotions get in the way of solutions, Minnesota divorce lawyers can use mediation techniques to bring you and your former spouse into agreement. Your Minnesota divorce lawyer, along with your spouse's MN divorce lawyer, can introduce you to a neutral, third-party mediator who can negotiate with both spouses and MN divorce lawyers to find a division of property that is equitable for both spouses.