When couples are able to agree on settlement terms, they generally have the power to determine the outcome of the divorce; if they cannot agree before trial, these matters will instead be decided by a judge. Either way, these important matters warrant the advice and representation of a lawyer from Swanson & Heeren, P.C. Contact the firm today to schedule a confidential appointment.
FAMILY LAW Grand Marais, Minnesota Law Firm
Representation in Cook County, Minnesota Divorce, Child Custody and Child Support Matters
Family Law Advocates
The attorneys at Swanson & Heeren, P.C. understand the emotional toll family struggles can take on people. Entrusting the legal issues to an attorney not only offers protection for property and parental interests but also frees the individual to address and deal with feelings of hurt, resentment or sadness.
Divorce
The law firm works toward an expeditious resolution while guarding the client's personal and real property. Minnesota is an equitable distribution state, which means that marital property is divided equitably, but not necessarily equally. An experienced lawyer can not only shield nonmarital property but also protect the spouse's marital interest in belongings or property.
Even when the couple agrees on most issues, complex determinations regarding the division of retirement or savings accounts, appraisal and sale of family businesses, valuation and purchase of ownership interests or stock options may warrant knowledgeable divorce counsel.
Additionally in the current economy, spouses may have incurred significant debts throughout the marriage. Whether taken in the name of one or both spouses, an attorney from Swanson & Heeren, P.C. can seek to have mortgage payments, car payments, credit card debt, school loans or other debt apportioned fairly between the parties.
Child Custody
The attorneys at Swanson & Heeren, P.C. are dedicated to the pursuit of the best interests of the children in custody determinations, whether that means one parent should have sole custody or the parents should share joint custody. Generally, when people think about child custody, they are considering the concept of physical custody, which is the determination where the child will actually live.
The law firm also assists clients with the following:
- Legal custody: Grants the authority to make decisions regarding where the child will go to school, in what religion the child will be raised and healthcare decisions
- Custody modification: Some changes in circumstances such as a job loss or transfer, alcohol or chemical dependency concerns may warrant a change to an existing custody order
- Parenting time schedules and parenting plans: Used to predetermine when either parent gets to spend time with the child and how future conflicts between the parents will be resolved
Child Support
The Minnesota legislature has adopted uniform guidelines for the calculation of child support. Speak with an attorney about:
- How child support is calculated and what income is included in the calculation
- How income is attributed to self-employed, unemployed or underemployed parents
- The limited circumstances in which deviation from the guidelines may be appropriate