Experienced Chanhassen Litigators And Family Law Attorneys
If you are looking for a family law attorney, you are most likely navigating a legal challenge that is incredibly stressful. For example, the end of a marriage can be a confusing and extremely difficult experience. Emotions run high, and you may feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty surrounding your future and that of your family.
Our experienced litigators at Lang Kauppi Overhaug Law, PLLC can help guide you through this overwhelming and difficult time. Our lawyers provide seasoned counsel and advice to clients in Chanhassen and the surrounding Twin Cities communities.
Navigating Family Law And Divorce
Every family is different and unique. Therefore, every family law case is going to have its own individual facts and challenges. Our lawyers help clients with a wide range of family law matters, including:
- Paternity
- Divorce, spousal support and the division of property and assets
- Child custody, support and parenting time
- Domestic violence, harassment and orders for protection
- Cohabitation agreements for unmarried partners who live together
- Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
In divorce cases and other family law matters, parties usually attempt mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods as ways to more efficiently come to a resolutions on contested issues. As seasoned litigators, our attorneys can help you negotiate a settlement through mediation. However, if litigation is required to protect your interests, they won’t back down.
Child Custody: Physical And Legal Custody
If your divorce involves children, custody tends to take over as the primary area of concern more than any other issue. There are two types of custody:
- Physical custody: Physical custody addresses where the child spends their time.
- Legal custody: Legal custody addresses which parent gets to make decisions regarding the child’s health care, education and religious upbringing.
Custody can be sole (one parent makes the decisions) or joint (parents cooperate in the decision-making process). Custody determinations are made as a part of a divorce, but if you were never married to your child’s other parent, you may need to have a court determine custody labels for your family.
Even after a divorce is finalized, life circumstances can easily bring changes that might require alterations to the decree. Our lawyers also help clients pursue modifications when necessary.
Child Support In Minnesota
Child support can be one of the most technically complex aspects of family law. Parents often feel confused or anxious about dealing with child support determinations. Minnesota law divides child support into three broad categories:
- Basic support, or cash that one spouse receives from the other each month for payment of child-related expenses
- Medical support, or payments of expenses related to your children’s health, dental and optical care
- Child care and the payment of day care costs for your children
Child support is calculated according to each parent’s monthly income and ability to pay, the costs associated with raising the child and the number of overnights that the child spends with each parent.
If you require an advocate with respect to child support in your divorce or paternity action, or if you need to ask the court to modify an existing child support order, our attorneys at Lang Kauppi Overhaug Law, PLLC can protect the best interests of both you and your child.
The Division Of Property In A Minnesota Divorce
The law recognizes marriage as an economic union between two spouses. However, when a marriage comes to an end, property has to be fully allocated between the parties. While some spouses are able to decide between themselves on how best to divide their marital estate, tensions can arise, and disagreements can cause anger and frustration at an already trying time.
Minnesota law divides marital property in a way that is “fair and equitable.” This does not always mean that property is divided equally. Some of the primary considerations with respect to the division of property as part of a divorce or separation include:
- The division of real estate, like the marital home or lake properties
- The division of assets such as joint and separate bank accounts, retirement accounts and pensions
- The valuation of a family business
- The division of debts
Property division can be one of the most complex and time-consuming aspects of a divorce, especially in a high net worth divorce. It is important to examine all aspects of property valuation and division carefully to protect your rights and interests.
The Likelihood Of Contention In Family Law Matters
Despite parties’ best efforts, family law tends to be an arena of high conflict and tension. While many couples attempt to settle issues out of court, some find that the acrimony of a divorce or custody dispute makes conflict unavoidable.
As skilled negotiators, our lawyers always try to keep clients out of the courtroom. Their goal is to spare them the legal expense and any additional trauma to their families. But sometimes, litigation is unavoidable. If you find yourself in a similar situation, then you need a litigator who will zealously protect your interests. Our family law attorneys have the experience to protect your rights and interests.
Consult A Family Law Attorney
Contact us to discuss your legal issues with one of our lawyers. They will provide a complete evaluation of your case and help you understand your legal options. You can reach us by phone at 952-470-6361 or via email.