In some situations, the parents may be committed to a long-term relationship, or are otherwise able to resolve issues related to where the child will live, how much time he or she will spend with each parent, and the financial responsibilities of raising the child by written agreement.

Foster care families are dedicated to creating safe havens for the children in their care. Many, many foster care families adopt the children placed in their care because of their interest in preserving strong familial ties with these children.

Denigrating your ex-spouse during a rant on Facebook may seem like great free therapy, but your words could come back to cost you later.

Rather than see children as part of the divorce process, Minnesota law and the courts look to preserve the child’s best interests in creating a custodial environment where he or she will thrive.

For example, Minnesota law allows for the court to suspend a physician’s license when they fall three months behind in child support payments or spousal support payments or both.

A couple heading toward divorce may have second thoughts. A study shows that up to 10% of couples in the process of divorce find reconciliation a viable option.

Ultimately, your collaborative divorce attorney is there to reassure both parties that each side is working toward coming to a respectful and amenable resolution and that each party is working fairly. Your attorney will make suggestions that neither party may have considered, and aid you in communicating with the other party.

If you are representing yourself in your divorce, you will be held to the same standards as a party who is represented by an attorney. This means that the court will have the same expectations of you as it would of a licensed attorney representing a client. While the court may offer some leeway to you if the case is simple and uncontested, it will hold you accountable the more complex the proceedings become.

Minnesota law determines custody situations based on the best interests of the child. This means that there are a number of factors the court will evaluate. The factors are used by the court to ascertain the settlement of custody issues in each case. There may be joint physical and legal custody, or sole physical but joint legal custody. The court will make this determination based on the best interests factors which are determined after considerable fact finding.