What’s the Difference between Legal Separation and Divorce in Minnesota?
February 3, 2014 | Elizabeth A. SchadingThere is plenty of confusion about the terms “legal separation” and “divorce”, simply because the terms are misused so often. These assumptions may lead people to make mistakes that can affect their family law case later. You can “separate” from your spouse simply by moving out of the home. When this happens, you’re still married and you aren’t filing any paperwork with the courts. How you handle your bills, assets, and child-rearing responsibility is up to you—it’s still a marital matter, even though one spouse is not living in the home. If you want to end a separation you’d simply move back into the home. It is not necessary for you to do this before you get a divorce. In fact, in Minnesota, there can be significant consequences for moving out of the marital home while seeking a divorce. What kinds of consequences? The biggest consequence can be that it will tell the court that you are making certain assumptions about who should live in the marital home and be the primary parent. It may be difficult to go back on those assumptions later if you want to stay in the marital home or take sole custody of your children. If you are desperate to get out of a contentious situation you will…
Read MoreLiz Schading Pens Article for Minnesota Women Lawyers Organization
February 3, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Family Law Attorney Liz Schading recently authored an article for “With Equal Right” the online official journal of the Minnesota Women Lawyers organization. The article looks at the practice of Early Neutral Evaluation in Family law and how it can expedite some custody issues for parents.
Read MoreAnoka County Holds Community Forums on Dangers of Heroin
January 28, 2014 | Jon P. EricksonAs a criminal lawyer, I have seen first hand the use of drugs and the affects on people’s lives. In the last year, our team of lawyers has noticed an increase in incidents related to the use of drugs. I read with interest a recent article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune entitled; “Twin Cities heroin, painkiller deaths surged in the first half of 2013.” The article states that the pace of fatal prescription painkiller overdoses has increased as well as an uptick in LSD and meth use. The Criminal Defense Lawyers at BGS have seen a rise in heroin and prescription drug cases that we are hired to defend. Over the years we have seen the rise and fall of the use of certain drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines. Heroin use is now the big problem. There is street heroin, and then the sale and use of prescribed synthetic heroin. Getting Help I believe there is more that family members can do to slow down the use of synthetic/prescribed medications, and the illegal sale of such. The best way is simply to know what medications you have in your cabinet, and to keep a close eye on them. If you are done using them, we recommend that you discard them appropriately (check with…
Read More