Category: Family Law
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Divorce? (And What About Mediation?)
September 9, 2026 | Jason C. Brown
Divorce can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Many individuals moving toward divorce wonder whether they can handle the process on their own or whether hiring a divorce attorney is worth the cost. But while DIY divorce is possible under specific, simple conditions, having an attorney safeguards your rights, protects your best interests, and prevents you from making costly mistakes. When Is a Self-Represented Divorce Feasible? Going through a divorce without an attorney is difficult, but it is possible. It works best in an uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on all terms from the beginning. This is usually a short-term marriage with no minor children involved, minimal shared assets, no real estate, and no complex retirement accounts. If you go this route, you will be responsible for all paperwork, deadlines, procedural filing, and legal research. In addition to the workload, there are risks associated with self-represented divorces. Without proper legal training, you run the risk of filing improperly, miscalculating assets, or accidentally waiving important rights. And once your divorce agreement is finalized by the court, it is very difficult to modify. That’s why we highly recommend working with a professional divorce attorney, even in an uncontested divorce. When Is Hiring a Divorce Attorney Necessary? While consulting with a divorce attorney is always…
Read MoreDividing Joint Real Estate in Minnesota Outside of Marriage/Divorce (Partition): Q & A
April 2, 2026 | admin
Couples/families delay or forgo marriage for many reasons. But they can and do still buy real property regardless of marital status. This can include any real property such as houses, cabins, commercial buildings or land parcels. If the relationship ends, the joint owners of real property must navigate dividing it up. When they are not married, there is no divorce case in which Family Court can deal with real property. The Civil Court process of dividing real property owned by unmarried individuals is called “Partition.” It is governed by the Minnesota Partition Act (Minn. Stat. § 558A) and the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure. Below are some of the most common questions clients have regarding Partitions, and their answers. 1. I was served Court paperwork related to the Property I jointly own. What do I need to do? By law, you must serve an Answer and Counter Petition upon the other party; you must do so within 21 days of service upon you. If you fail to do so, you could be found in default, and the Court could grant Plaintiff’s requests without your input. Your Answer and Counter Petition responds to the Plaintiff’s allegations and claims, then states your own allegations and claims. This is your initial chance to tell the Court…
Read MoreWhat Is a Prenup and Why Should You Get One?
February 3, 2026 | Jason C. Brown
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract that two future spouses make with each other before getting married. Its primary purpose is to outline how assets and debts will be divided in the event the marriage ends due to divorce or the death of one spouse. While a prenup may seem uncomfortable to discuss with your future spouse, it’s an incredibly practical tool used to protect both of your finances. Let’s take a closer look at what prenups are, how they work, what they’re used for, and why to get one. How Does a Prenup Work? Generally, a prenup lists each person’s assets and debts. Assets include cash, bank accounts, retirement funds, real estate, investments, and valuable items such as cars. The agreement then states specific instructions for how each asset and debt should be allocated if the marriage ends. A prenup can cover future assets and earnings in addition to present assets. A prenup can also detail how expenses and debts should be allocated during the marriage, not just after it. What Is a Prenup Used for? A prenup protects the financial interests of both parties before a marriage is finalized. It’s useful for any couple entering marriage, not just for the wealthy. A prenup is especially useful if one or both…
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