Guiding You Through The Divorce Process
If you and your spouse have decided to get divorced, you will have a lot of decisions to make. Having a caring Burnsville divorce attorney on your side to protect your rights and guide you in the right direction is important.
Meinerts Law Office, P.A., can help you decide what type of divorce process is right for you and ensure that your best interests are kept in mind. Regardless of whether you choose to mediate your divorce or your case requires litigation, Mr. Meinerts is here for you. His goal is to help you get through your divorce in the most cost-effective way possible.
The Qualifications For Dissolution Of Marriage In Minnesota
To get a divorce in Minnesota, you or your spouse must have lived within state borders for the past 180 days or more. One spouse will be required to claim that there’s an “irretrievable breakdown” in the marriage. The process begins with Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. If issues such as custody or finances are involved, it can become complicated. Meinerts Law Office, P.A., has the knowledge and experience necessary to guide you step-by-step of each process, and Mr. Meinerts can tailor your legal strategy to your unique situation.
Answering Common Questions About The MN Divorce Process
Divorce is often a complex and emotional time, and many people have questions about the best way to move through this process and toward a bright future. Meinerts Law Office, P.A., offers answers to frequently asked questions as well as questions about the unique ways that divorce will impact your life.
Do I need a lawyer for a Minnesota divorce?
While having divorce representation is not required, it can be incredibly beneficial. Hiring an experienced divorce attorney from a firm like Meinerts Law Office, P.A. can help. Mr. Meinerts works hard to stay up to date on any changes in family and divorce law in the state of Minnesota and is dedicated to protecting your rights. This is a difficult time for your family, and he is here to support you.
Do I have to go to court when getting a divorce?
While many people know that taking their divorce to court – a process often called a contested or litigated divorce – is one way to end a marriage, the truth is that there are other paths available. Alternative dispute resolution methods allow couples to take a collaborative approach or negotiate their divorce with the help of a mediator, working together to reduce conflict and reach a resolution that meets both spouses’ needs.
What are marital assets in Minnesota?
Marital assets in Minnesota generally include any property, income or investments acquired by either spouse during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title or account.
There are some exceptions, however. Gifts made to just one party, inheritances that were kept separate, personal injury settlements and assets carved out as one party’s separate property through premarital or postmarital agreements may be excluded from the marital estate.
How are assets divided in a divorce?
Once the marital assets are identified, Minnesota requires them to be divided equitably – which does not necessarily mean equally. The division is always handled with an eye toward fairness.
Factors such as each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, their economic circumstances and their needs all have to be considered. Your Burnsville divorce attorney can help you make certain that the division truly is reasonable.
How is debt divided in a divorce in Minnesota?
Debts are handled very much in the same way as a couple’s assets. Regardless of whose name is on any given account, the law presumes that all the debts that were acquired during a marriage are jointly held.
Like the marital assets, the marital debts must be divided equitably. Typically, this means looking at each spouse’s overall financial situation and ability to pay when determining how to fairly allocate the marital debts. Your Burnsville divorce attorney will make certain that your interests are protected during this process.
Is property divided equally in a MN divorce?
In Minnesota, jointly-owned property is divided on a just and equitable basis between spouses which doesn’t necessarily mean an equal division. This outcome will look different for each couple.
What will my finances look like after divorce?
The end of your marriage can have a significant impact on your financial situation, and you may wonder whether spousal maintenance or child support payments will be a part of your budget as you move into the next chapter of your life. Your individual income, your health, your custody arrangement and a variety of other details may factor into these decisions.
How long does the divorce process take?
Each person’s family situation is unique, and those details matter when considering how long it will take to finalize your divorce. For couples that generally agree on details like property division, the process may move quickly. The process often takes more time for couples that do not agree on the details of their life after divorce or have complex assets like their family home to consider.
Addressing Complex Divorce Cases In Minnesota
While every divorce is different, many cases involve similar elements, such as property division, and child custody and support if you have children together. If your divorce case is complex and includes a number of additional elements, we have the necessary resources to guide you and solve your problems. You can rely on the experienced MN divorce attorney at Meinerts Law Office, P.A., to make sure you understand your options and any alternatives which may be available to you.
Guiding Families Through A Difficult Time
Filing for divorce? On the verge of separation? Meinerts Law Office, P.A., can help.
Meinerts Law Office, P.A., is focused on providing clients with skilled legal representation. Seasoned Burnsville divorce attorney Merlyn Meinerts can provide you with alternative dispute resolutions to help your family move forward in a quicker and less-stressful manner. For 30 years, he has helped clients with both simple and complex family law cases.
Speak With An Experienced Burnsville Divorce Attorney Today
Take your first step towards divorce. An experienced MN divorce attorney is ready to take on your case. Contact the firm at 952-208-8500 today to learn how Mr. Meinerts can help you in a free phone consultation.