Dividing Joint Real Estate in Minnesota Outside of Marriage/Divorce (Partition): Q & A
April 2, 2026 | Rachel Farhi
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 MoreShareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen Elect New President and Rename Chair of the Board at Annual Meeting
February 12, 2026 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
The law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen held its annual meeting on January 17, 2026, in Coon Rapids, MN. The meeting included a gathering of the firm’s Board of Directors, a State of the Firm address given by William Huefner, and elections to the Board of Directors. After serving as President of the firm for 11 years, William Huefner did not seek another term. The Shareholders at Barna, Guzy & Steffen elected Thomas Wentzell as firm President. William Huefner was re-appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Tom is a shareholder who focuses his practice on commercial real estate. He originally joined the firm as a law clerk in 2012, while attending University of St. Thomas School of Law. He was admitted to the bar in October of 2013 and practiced at another medium-sized firm in the Twin Cities before returning to BGS in December of 2014. He focuses his practice on real estate development, acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, and real estate finance. Tom was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2022 and 2023, and is a Board-Certified Real Property Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. The firm would like to congratulate Tom on his accomplishments and his commitment to the firm’s mission of providing clients legal services…
Read MoreMinnesota Court of Appeals Clarifies Stop-Arm Law: What State v. Waln Means for Your Case
February 10, 2026 | Kyle Manderfeld
In September 2025, the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued a major decision interpreting the state’s school‑bus stop‑arm statute. The case, State v. Waln, reshapes how courts must evaluate whether a stop‑arm violation occurred under Minn. Stat. § 169.444. Below, we break down what happened, how the court reached its decision, and what this means if you or someone you know has been charged with a stop‑arm violation. What Happened in State v. Waln? The case arose from an incident in Baxter, Minnesota, in which a driver was accused of failing to stop for a school bus. At trial, the State argued that the driver violated Minn. Stat. § 169.444, subd. 2(a), by driving past a stopped bus while its stop‑signal arm and flashing red lights were activated. A jury convicted her. But on appeal, the evidence told a more precise story. Critical Video Evidence Uncontested video footage showed Waln’s truck was already within 20 feet of the bus before the stop‑arm fully extended. The appellate court noted that the stop-arm took about two seconds to fully deploy, and the driver passed the bus “just as the arm reached its full outward position.” The Statutory Question Minnesota law requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away when a school bus is stopped and “displaying an…
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