Judge Ann Carrott recently provided some much needed information and clarification regarding marriage dissolution in Minnesota. Who better to lay out the legal details than an experienced judge that deals with these issues on a daily basis? Judge Carrott’s core advice, however, was to focus on friends, family and clergy during the divorce process. This focus will allow the legal wrangling to fall into place.
As this blog noted recently, Minnesota is a no-fault divorce state. This means, essentially, that neither spouse needs to assert blame to get a divorce. They must simply allege that the union is irretrievably broken. The other spouse cannot challenge that allegation, but may contest the terms of the split.
This is where divorce law gets complicated. Spouses want to know what will happen to their assets and, more importantly, their kids in a divorce. Child custody and property settlements are two of the central issues facing divorcing couples. The judge has control to determine what is in the best interests of the child, and how the property can be equitably divided.
Nonetheless, the process is not a unilateral gavel slam by the judge. Minnesota’s local judicial officers require a lot out of divorcing spouses. They intend for the couple to sit down and iron out details that are agreeable to them both. The hope is that the pair can avoid a divorce trial, and proceed on with their lives.
While Judge Carrott noted several resources available to divorcees going it alone, she also highlighted the value of a local family law attorney. St. Paul’s family law experts are especially skilled at guiding clients through a divorce. They have dealt with a myriad of issues in the wake of a split. As a result, they know what items need to be addressed in negotiations and subsequent agreements.
Source: Echo Press, “Dissolution (divorce) in Minnesota,” Judge Ann Carrott, March 13, 2013.