Family Law
Divorce is an emotionally charged, often traumatic ordeal for the entire family. At Carlson & Jones, P.A., we understand that going through a divorce can be a trying time for both spouses and their children. We keep this perspective in mind whenever our clients request our representation in a marital dissolution matter.
Carlson & Jones, P.A. is comprised of a group of highly experienced attorneys. One of our attorneys is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association and another attorney has extensive experience in family law matters. We have the skill and experience to ensure that our clients' family law-related matters are handled efficiently and successfully.
We handle a full spectrum of family law matters, including the following:
- Divorce or Marital Dissolution
- Division of Property and Debt
- Child Support
- Child Custody
- Spousal Maintenance or Support
- Domestic Abuse & Harassment
- Orders for Protection
- Restraining Orders
Minnesota Divorce Laws
A divorce action is also referred to as "marital dissolution" or "dissolution." According to Minnesota Statutes Section 518.07, to obtain a divorce in Minnesota one of the spouses must have resided in Minnesota for at least 180 days before the start of the divorce proceeding. Minnesota also grants divorces based on the principle of "no-fault," which means that the court will grant a dissolution if either party believes the marital relationship is over; the causes regarding why the marriage failed are not an issue in court.
Depending on the amount of assets and debts spouses have accumulated and the complexity and contentiousness of the issues involved, the divorce process can take several months before a final divorce decree is issued. For additional information on divorce actions in Minnesota, see the Judicial Branch of Minnesota's "What to Expect: Divorce in Minnesota" document.
Our lawyers are highly experienced in marital dissolution cases involving substantial assets. According to Minnesota Statutes Section 518.58, Minnesota is an "equitable distribution" state, which means that property between the spouses is divided in a fair and equitable fashion. However, parties must keep in mind that "equitable" does not necessarily mean equal, and the court has to take multiple factors into consideration before allocating property to either spouse.
We also have significant experience in complex and contentious divorce proceedings, including marital dissolutions involving child support and child custody disputes, and disputes over spousal support.
If you need assistance with a divorce or a family law-related matter, contact the experienced attorneys at Carlson & Jones, P.A. for more information or to arrange for a free initial consultation.
