A few generations ago, when someone was adopted, information about the birth parents was usually wholly unknown. Adoptions were closed. Today, it’s estimated that only 5 percent of adoptions are closed. “That means that 95 percent of today’s adoptions involve some level of openness, whether they are mediated, fully open, or somewhere in between.”[1] What...Read More

To begin the divorce process, you will need to have your spouse served with a summons and petition. This ensures that they know your intentions to divorce them and what you are asking for from the courts. While it may seem easy enough to have someone served, there are many ways that the process can...Read More

A Parenting Consultant (PC) is a form of alternative dispute resolution. Their role was created by Minnesota Court Rule 114.02(a)(10), which allows parties to develop an alternative dispute resolution process. How Disputes Arise A Parenting Consultant works with your family on an ongoing basis to resolve disputes such as parenting time and decisions about where...Read More

In Minnesota, Can A Juvenile Be Tried As An Adult? Under Minnesota law, children under the age of 14 are considered legally incapable of committing crimes. If a child is over the age of 14, the juvenile can be tried as an adult in Minnesota. If they are accused of a dangerous offense and/or has...Read More

Most matters that go before the courts have two sides. Adoption is no exception. This is especially true in the case of stepparent adoption. Whether you are trying to adopt or a petition has been filed to terminate your parental rights, it is important to understand the process of step-parent adoption. It is also of...Read More

The benefits of mediation are undeniable. Mediation can help you find the best possible solution to almost any family law problem, including divorce, custody disputes, child support spousal support and property division. Mediation can save time and money. It can also help all the parties involved feel invested in a positive future after the dispute...Read More

At our Elk River law firm, we sometimes handle divorces for military families. Our clients want to know how the law affects them when they—or their spouses—are in the military. We tell them that, generally, divorces are the same for military personnel as they are for civilians. But, things can get more complicated, especially when...Read More

The honest answer to whether you need a lawyer for mediation is simply, “No.” But the better question to ask yourself is, “Should I have a lawyer help me with mediation?” By asking this question, you provide yourself with more information so you can make an informed choice. The Benefits to Hiring a Lawyer for...Read More

What Can Mediation Do? When done right, mediation can bring great benefits to you and your family: It saves you money, as you avoid the costliness associated with trial. It saves you time, thanks to avoiding the need to get on the court’s calendar. You drive the discussion, ensuring the things you care about most...Read More

Extramarital affairs have long been a leading cause of divorce. And thanks to hackers leaking millions of names and contact information of users of the Ashley Madison dating website, affairs are in the spotlight. Now couples want to know if and how they can use this information to gain extra ground during a divorce. Using...Read More