Family Law Attorney Minneapolis

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Divorce is an overwhelming process for the couple, as well as the children and other family members involved in it. The whole procedure requires proper understanding of the family law Minneapolis and other formalities that you have to fulfil. To make the process easier, it is better to take help from a family law attorney, Minneapolis, who can guide you properly and take you through a proper channel to get your job done.

At Affordable Legal Help, we have the best divorce attorneys, Minneapolis, who provide you with unbundled legal services and handle your case and all other legal proceedings professionally.

Understanding Divorce in Minneapolis

As the article unfolds, we will explain the basics of Minneapolis divorce laws as well as the steps involved in the divorce process.

Residency Requirements

Some residency requirements need to be met before a person can apply for a divorce. The person applying for a divorce or the respondent, should have been a resident of Minneapolis for at least six months before being eligible to file for a divorce. In case you do not fit this requirement, you should consult with a family law attorney, Minneapolis who will guide you on how to proceed.

Grounds for Divorce

Minnesota is a no-fault state. This means that the couple does not have to present any proof that their spouse is wrong. They can simply file for a divorce based on irreconcilable differences. However, there are certain grounds for divorce as well, which include:

• Domestic abuse
• Substance abuse
• Misuse of marital funds

Types of Divorce

In the city of Minneapolis, there are three types of divorce:

• Summary of dissolution of marriage
• Dissolution by joint petition
• Contested divorce 

Summary of Dissolution of Marriage

A summary of dissolution of marriage is an uncontested divorce, in which children and property are not involved. In this type of divorce, the couple simply files the paperwork and waits for the judge to sign it. You can file for this type of divorce if:

• There is no pregnancy or minor children.
• You have been married for 8 years or less.
• There's no joint property
• There's no domestic violence
• Marital assets are worth $25000 or less.
• Debt does not exceed $8000

Dissolution by Joint petition

A summary of dissolution of marriage is an uncontested divorce, in which children and property are involved. Both the parties agree to all the terms and file for a joint petition in court. It is called a joint petition because the couple has mutually decided to get a divorce. If some issues need to be settled before filing for a dissolution by joint petition, you need to seek help from a divorce attorney, Minneapolis.

Contested Divorce

A contested divorce is the most common type of divorce. In this, the couple doesn't agree on certain terms, like property, child-related issues, custodial issues and spousal support. In such a situation, the case will be presented in front of a judge, who will then decide as per the family laws, Minneapolis.

The court process is formal and complex, and people often struggle with it. Therefore, it is advisable to hire a divorce lawyer, Minneapolis to help protect your legal rights and understand the process. 

Child Custody Laws in Minneapolis

In Minneapolis, three types of child custody are recognized:

• Legal custody
• Physical custody
• Joint Custody

Legal Custody

In case of legal custody, one or both of the parents have the legal authority to make decisions for the well-being and upbringing of the child. The legally custodial parent, can also make decisions on behalf of the child regarding education etc.

Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to the custodial parent with whom the child resides. They are responsible for the food, shelter and other basic necessities of the child.

Joint Custody

Minneapolis is also open to the option of joint custody, in which both the parents are equally responsible for making decisions for the well-being of the child. The child gets to spend equal time with both the parents and every other responsibility is equally divided among the parents.

Taking the services of a child custody lawyer, Minneapolis would be a wise decision, to get a better understanding of the laws related to child custody. 

Child Support in Minneapolis

Child support refers to the money paid by one parent to the other, to provide for the child's well-being and care. Usually, the non-custodial parent is responsible for paying the child support, as the custodial parent already takes care of the day to day expenses.

Minneapolis has fairly strict and complicated guidelines to calculate the appropriate amount of child support. You may require the services of a child support lawyer, Minneapolis to understand the basics of child support calculation.

Child Support Calculation

For calculating the child support in Minneapolis, the following steps are followed:

• Both parents’ gross income from all sources is taken into account.
• Alimony or spousal support is deducted from that income.
• Each parent’s percentage of the combined income is calculated and applied to a guideline chart, taking into account the number of joint children they have.
• Lastly, parenting time is deducted from the final amount.

What is Included in Child Support?

The amount of child support paid by the non-custodial parent covers the following expenses:

• Child care expenses
• Health insurance
• Medical expenses
• Educational expenses
• Transportation costs

The child support payment should be paid until the child turns 18 or 20, if they are still attending secondary school. Also, it has to be paid indefinitely, if the child has some sort of disability. If there are some other conditions, you can discuss them with a child support lawyer, Minneapolis. 

Our Unbundled Services  

Our network of divorce lawyers, Minneapolis and child support lawyers, Minneapolis are eager to help you with your cases, according to their expertise. Our affordable unbundled legal services are for everyone, even if you're on a budget. Our price ranges from $500 to $1000 depending on the nature of the case. So contact us to book a free consultation appointment with the best divorce attorney, Minneapolis.