Spousal maintenance – or alimony – is a divorce term that applies only under specific circumstances. When applicable, however, it can play a very important financial role. Knowing the basics when it comes to spousal maintenance can help you better understand your own case. Discuss your spousal maintenance concerns with an experienced Minnesota spousal maintenance attorney today.  One: Spousal Maintenance Is Need-Based In Minnesota, spousal maintenance is based on the recipient’s financial need, and this need can be categorized in both of the following ways: Divorce will leave the spouse ..read more

Few things can further complicate the already extremely complex matter of divorce more than business ownership. Even if your business is a completely separate asset, which is a high legal bar, there is a lot more to the matter than you may realize. If you are heading into a divorce and you own a business, it’s time to consult with an experienced Minnesota property division attorney.  The Division of Property Anything that you, your spouse, or you and your spouse together come to own while you are married is considered marital property in the eyes of the law. The only exceptions are gifts ..read more

The idea of a divorce leaving you happier – or more satisfied with your life – may strike you as an odd concept, but research suggests that, for many women, it’s true. In fact, men can learn a thing or two from their resilient spouses. If you come to the difficult realization that you need a divorce, but you’re not sure how well you’ll bounce back, statistics are on your side. Because protecting your parental and financial rights throughout the divorce process is paramount, you need an experienced Minnesota divorce attorney in your corner.  The Research An in-depth study into divorced cou ..read more

If you are facing a divorce in Minnesota, there are a range of terms that you will need to address, but one of the most important is the division of your marital property, which can also be one of the most contentious. To help ensure that the division of your marital assets supports your financial rights, working with an experienced Minnesota divorce attorney is always well-advised.  The Division of Marital Assets In Minnesota, marital assets must be distributed between divorcing spouses equitably, which amounts to dividing them – or their value – fairly in relation to the involved circum ..read more

If you are on the fence regarding divorce, it’s likely time to do some serious soul-searching and reach out for the help you need – to determine if saving your marriage may be a better route. There are, however, some circumstances that clearly indicate it’s time to get a divorce, and if this is the difficult situation you’re in, it’s also time to consult with an experienced Minnesota divorce attorney.  Signs it Might be Time to Seek a Divorce You and your spouse are the only experts on your marriage, which means that the decision of whether or not to get a divorce is entirely up to the tw ..read more

If you pay court-ordered spousal maintenance, you’re required to continue paying the amount specified for the length of time specified. If you simply stop paying your ex this maintenance, you could find yourself in contempt of court. This does not, however, mean that you have no other legal options, and a trusted Minnesota divorce attorney with considerable experience successfully handling complex spousal maintenance cases can help you better understand and explore these options.  A Note about Parenting Time If you have missed a spousal maintenance payment or two, it’s time to get back on ..read more

Parenting is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, and successful co-parenting comes with an additional set of challenges. There are, however, several tips that can help you and your children’s other parent master the intricacies of co-parenting while continuing to support your children’s best interests. If you have questions or concerns about your child custody orders or an impending child custody case, it is time to consult with an experienced Minnesota child custody attorney.  Tip 1: Get Your Bearings Co-parenting is a bit different than parenting together as a couple who lives under t ..read more

While no two divorces are ever duplicates of one another, they all go through the same five basic stages, and having a better understanding of the process can help you proceed with greater focus. If you are moving toward divorce or have been served with divorce papers, one of the best steps you can take to protect your parental and financial rights is to consult with an experienced Minnesota divorce attorney.  One: The Summons and Petition To begin, one of you will file a summons and petition for divorce, which is often referred to as filing for divorce. The petition outlines the filer’s ..read more

Author: Sue Horwitz, AFL Client Coach My son is now grown. But I remember how difficult I was on him during the holidays. My inner perfectionist took over, and I wanted a picture of him adorably dressed and happily posing in front of a magnificent tree. Of course, he would love all his presents. But this was my dream. In his reality, he would only wear a bat-man tee, made silly faces for photos and turned his nose at gifts I bought for him. After a few years of holiday suffering, I knew I was the problem. My expectations for my child were unrealistic. I needed to alter those expectations to im ..read more

Author: Sue Horwitz, AFL Client Coach My friend Jen told me that getting through the holidays is like getting gas when you are on fumes. Picture this: She’s in the car and panicked. Her heart is racing, and her mind is spinning. The kids are fighting, and she’d have a good cry if she weren’t driving. So, these are her unique antidotes to avoid holiday stress and panic. Unlike her spouse, Jen won’t drive around looking for cheap gas; she wants to simplify as much of life as possible. For her, this time of year is about simplifying. And Jen makes things easy. Unlike others who labor over what is ..read more