Minnesota Divorce Information

The following information is a summary on Minnesota divorce law and related services. You can find divorce lawyers, child support calculators, and other resources to help you understand how to get a divorce.  In addition to the resources listed below, you can find more help and information in our divorce article section.

Professionals Divorce Lawyers Mortgage Advisors Private Investigators Background Checks Divorce Support Support Groups Domestic Violence Shelters and Hotlines

Divorce Papers Divorce and Separation Forms Online Divorce Divorce Form Preparation Family Law Resources Divorce Laws Child Support Guidelines Minnesota Child Support Calculator Child Support Enforcement

* Listings in the Resource and Professional Directory does not imply an endorsement by this website.  WomansDivorce.com makes no warranty and assumes no legal liability for any service or provider listed below.  If you provide a divorce related service and are interested in being listed in this directory, click here.

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DIVORCE LAWYERS AND FIRMS

Maury D. Beaulier
5775 Wayzata Blvd, Ste. 700
St. Louis Park, MN  55416
Counties:  Hennepin, Carver, Scott, Dakota, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Wright, Sherbourne, Olmstead
Phone: (612) 240-8005

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Jason Brown
Brown Family Law Office
Anoka, Minnesota Family Law 

Brown Law Offices, P.A. a northwest suburban law firm focused on divorce and family law. Our attorneys represent clients throughout the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

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Need a Divorce Lawyer? LegalMatch allows you to present your case, and respond only to attorneys who want to help you. It's Free & Confidential.  You can post you legal issues with Legal Match and receive a reply from qualified attorneys who can handle your case.  Legal Match is a good directory  that empowers consumers to locate and thoroughly review the experience, availability and price of pre-screened attorneys before deciding whom to contact.

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DIVORCE FORM PREPARATION

Have All of Your Documents Completed For You!  This easy to use, accurate, and up-to-date on-line divorce service is a perfect "do it yourself (without a lawyer)" solution for any uncontested divorce (with or without children) that will be filed in the state of Minnesota.  You can get "Real Person" customer support by phone & e-mail, plus access  to 40 downloadable books (valued at over $750).   Start your divorce today.

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MORTGAGE ADVISORS

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PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

There are currently no private investigators for this state

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BACKGROUND CHECKS

Conduct Background Checks and Investigations - Obtain vital statistics, marriage and divorce records, credit record checks, criminal and court records, sex offender searches, driving and vehicle records, property records, general public records, business registration and property resources.  Find out the truth about anyone!

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DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS

Divorce Care can help you locate a divorce support group in your area.  There are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the USA and Canada, and many groups meeting internationally as well.

Partners in Prevention provides consulting and psychological services to domestic abuse survivors before, during and post divorce. Additionally, we serve as consulting experts in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. We also offer continuing medical and nursing education in domestic abuse assessment and clinical management to healthcare professionals. You can contact us at:
13918 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-222-1058

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES

Domestic Violence Crisis and Support Services
Shelters and Hotlines
Coalition for Battered Women

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MN DIVORCE LAW SUMMARY

MN Divorce Statutes (opens in a new browser)

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS:  At least one spouse needs to be a resident of the state for at least 180 days prior to filing for a divorce. [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.07]

WHERE TO FILE:  A petition for dissolution or legal separation should be filed for in the country where either spouse resides. [Based on MN Statutes; Chapter 518.09]

LEGAL GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE:  Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship.  [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.06]

LEGAL SEPARATION:  Minnesota recognizes legal separation. A legal separation does not terminate the marital status of the parties, but rather determines the rights and responsibilities of both husband and wife arising out of the marital relationship. One or both parties can petition for a decree of legal separation and if neither party contests the granting of the decree nor petitions for a decree of dissolution, the court shall grant the legal separation. [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.06]

SIMPLIFIED OR SPECIAL DIVORCE PROCEDURES:  If both parties jointly file the divorce petition, there is no need for a summons or service of the petition.  [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapters 518.09 and 518.11]

MEDIATION OR COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS: In cases where custody is likely to be contest, mediation may be ordered.  Exceptions are when there is evidence of physical or sexual abuse.  If agreement cannot be reached through mediation, the mediator may recommend that an evaluation be conducted.  [Based on MN Statutes; Chapter 518.619].

MARITAL PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION:  Minnesota is an equitable distribution state.  Marital property shall be divided without regard to marital fault, and will base the property distribution on the following factors:

1. length of the marriage,
2. age, health, and occupation of each party,
3. income, income potential, vocational skills or each party,
4. the contribution of each spouse to the marital property, including the contributions as a homemaker [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.58]

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ALIMONY/MAINTENANCE/SPOUSAL SUPPORT:  Alimony may be granted on a temporary or permanent basis, based on the following factors:

1. The financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, and their ability to meet their financial needs.
2. The time needed to acquire training and education to become self-reliant.
3. The standard of living established during the marriage.
4. If the spouse seeking maintenance is unable to seek employment due to the restraints of caring for a child whose condition or circumstances warrant that the custodial parent not seek employment outside the home.  
5. The duration of the marriage, and in the case of a homemaker, the length of absence from the workforce.   
6. The age and physical capabilities of the spouse seeking maintenance.
7. The ability of the other spouse to pay alimony and still meet his or her own needs.
8. The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition and care of marital property, as well as the contribution of a spouse as a homemaker, enabling the other spouse to further their business or employment.  [Based on MN Statutes; Chapter 518.552]

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CHILD CUSTODY:  Joint or sole custody may be awarded, based on "the best interests of the child", with the relevant factors being:

• the relationship between each parent and the child;
• the child's primary caretaker;
• the reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient age to express preference;
• the child's adjustment to home, school, and community.  Also considered is how long the child has been in a stable environment and the permanence of the custodial home.
• the mental and physical health of all individuals involved;
• the capacity and disposition of the parents to give the child love, affection, and guidance, and to continue educating and raising the child in the child's culture and religion or creed, if any;
• whether there is evidence of abuse, either between the parents, between the parent and another individual, or directed towards the child.   [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.17]

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CHILD SUPPORT:  Marital misconduct is not an issue in the determination of child support.  Child support is based on the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines, also taking into consideration the following factors as basis for deviation:

1. the standard of living that the child has become accustomed to during the marriage;
2. the financial needs and resources, physical and emotional condition, and educational needs of the child or children to be supported;
3. which parent will claim the child or children as a dependent for tax purposes, and what financial impact that will have;
4. the parent's debts,
5. whether the parent paying child support is on public assistance
6. The official child support guidelines are contained in Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.551 Subd. 5.section (b)

If the parent receiving child support is on public assistance, child support shall be paid to the child enforcement agency as long as that parent receives assistance.  Every support order must address income withholding for the obligated parent.  [Based on Minnesota Statutes; Chapter 518.17 and 518.6111].    » Return to top