Legal Separation vs. Informal Separation in Minnesota
April 13, 2016 | Elizabeth A. SchadingInformal separations happen when one spouse simply moves out of the home. As covered in a previous post, this can give the other spouse significant advantages if a divorce occurs down the road. If a divorce is later decided upon as the way to proceed, the person who had remained in the home may have more rights to maintain ownership as well as more access to the items within the home. The person who moved out may find him/herself at a disadvantage if the relationship has now dissolved past the point of being able to negotiate openly and fairly. However, sometimes informal separations are a cooling off period and the couple may decide to remain together. Every couple’s situation is different. [maxbutton id=”1″ ] Legal separation is uniquely different from Informal Separation because it actually goes through the court system. It does not dissolve the marriage, but it still allows the courts to outline the rights and responsibilities of each party during the separation period. Many of the same issues are covered by a legal separation in Minnesota as by a divorce. You may divide up property and debts, decide who maintains possession of the house or cars, and get clarity on who sees the children and when. However, you and your spouse…
Read MoreShareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen Elect President and Board of Directors
April 4, 2016 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.The law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen held its annual meeting April 2, 2016 at Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids. The meeting included a presentation by President William F. Huefner, reports from the Practice Group Managers and elections. The shareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. reelected William F. Huefner as President. After serving on the BGS Board of Directors for 33 years, the last 22 of them as Chairman of the Board, Jeffrey S. Johnson decided not to renew his position. Current Firm President William F. Huefner was named Chairman of Board of Directors and will now serve as President and Chair of the Board of Directors. Reelected to officer positions within the Board of Directors were Charles M. Seykora as Treasurer and Bradley A. Kletscher as Secretary. Scott M. Lepak was elected to the position left open by Johnson’s retirement from the Board of Directors. Bradley A. Kletscher was also reelected to the Board of Directors for another three year term. Firm President William F. Huefner renamed Russell H. Crowder (Consumer), Michael F. Hurley (Real Estate/Corporate) and Joan M. Quade (Litigation/Municipal), as Practice Group Leaders. The firm looks forward to a very successful year as it plans to continue efforts to grow and serve the community it…
Read MoreMost Common Family Law Matters
March 31, 2016 | Elizabeth A. SchadingFamily law disputes can be emotionally draining for all parties involved. While there are numerous issues that fall under the family law umbrella, some are more common than others. Some of the most common issues include: Divorce Divorce is what most people think of most often when they hear the term “family law.” Simply put, divorce is the dissolution of marriage, and the process terminates the legal status a couple had together while they were married. In addition to losing the legal status of being married, couples will also go through the sometimes difficult tasks of dividing up their assets and debts, agreeing on child custody/support arrangements, and a host of other issues. Child Support/Custody Child support and custody issues are common during a divorce. Minnesota, like other states, has its own guidelines for determining how much child support a parent will need to pay, and these guidelines will vary by case. Child custody can be agreed upon by the parents outside of the courts, or if both parents cannot come to an agreement, the matter will be settled in court by a judge. The court will base its decision on the best interests of the child, and in some cases, may take the child’s wishes into account when making a final decision….
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