What Can I Do If There Are Problems With Parenting Time?

February 4, 2013  |  Elizabeth A. Schading

When a court sets a parenting time schedule the order represents a set of mandatory instructions regarding parental access to the child. That doesn’t mean the situation will be perfect. Problems with parenting time are common, though not all of them will be cause for any changes to the visitation schedule. Some problems may simply need to be dealt with, no matter how unfair it may seem. Problems often include the following scenarios: Game playing. The spouse makes parenting time difficult or unpleasant. The spouse may be late for drop-offs and pick-ups, may fail to pack necessary items or may fail to return packed items. Inappropriate behavior. Sometimes the difficulty is the other parent’s behavior during the parenting time. The child may be interacting with questionable people or exposed to questionable things. Failure to give access. Some parents downright defy the court’s parenting time order. Sometimes they’ll start “switching up weekends” or playing other games with the schedule until the other parent’s time has been reduced. Failing to exercise rights. Sometimes the problem is getting the spouse to actually exercise parental rights. Some spouses simply aren’t interested, and fought for parenting time primarily to reduce their child support. This can be frustrating for the other parent and traumatic for the child. If the…

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How Much Child Support Will I Pay?

January 31, 2013  |  Elizabeth A. Schading

There are no hard and fast answers to this question. Every case is different. Many factors affect the amount of child support that you pay. First, the courts will look at your employment status and your spouse’s employment status. This isn’t always straightforward since one or both of you might be self-employed, underemployed, or unemployed. Second, the courts will look at how much money both parents earn. There are also adjustments for the amount of parenting time each spouse will share, and that varies from case to case. Daycare and health insurance expenses will be considered. Don’t rely on online child support calculators, charts, or the rumor mill to try to get estimates of what you’ll pay. They can only give estimates, and the estimates themselves are only good if you’re making the right assumptions while entering the data into the computer. Remember, too, that while child support can feel like an unfair monthly bill or a punishment, it’s neither. It’s really meant to make sure that your child has financial security. Divorce can be an incredibly tough time for children and providing some semblance of financial security for them does ease the transition for them. However, we do recognize that you still have to see to your own needs, and that’s why…

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BGS To Participate In a Minnesota Small Business Symposium

January 29, 2013  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Barna, Guzy, and Steffen, Ltd. has provided the Minneapolis metro area with legal services for over 75 years. Now, they’re participating in a Minnesota Small Business Symposium called, “Buy/Sell Techniques for Businesses.” The Symposium is aimed at anyone who is thinking about buying or selling a business within the next 10-15 years. BGS also encourages CEOs, CFOs, business development professionals, bankers, and real estate professionals to attend. BGS is partnering with the Central Minnesota Development Company and Principal Financial Group in offering this free seminar to the public. Participants will have a lot to learn. Topics include selling or transferring a business to family members, management partners, employees or outsiders; financing a sale or acquisition; exit planning; buy/sell agreements; ESOPs; and more. Participants will have time to ask questions. Attorneys Daniel D. Ganter, Jr. and W. James Vogl, Jr. will be representing the firm. Ganter has practiced business and commercial law for 28 years. He has helped hundreds of clients reach their business related goals. Vogl has practiced law for 29 years. He specializes in ESOPs, retirement planning, QDROs, and employee benefits law. “Buy/Sell Techniques for Businesses” starts at 8:00 a.m. on February 7th, 2013. It will be held at the Harvest Grill Event Center at 12800 Bunker Prairie Drive in Coon Rapids,…

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