Minneapolis Divorce Attorneys & Lawyers

Contested divorce cases tend to involve four distinct stages: (1) preliminary case workup; (2) discovery; (3) settlement; and (4) trial. Not every case will reach each stage of the divorce process. In fact, about 95% of our cases are settled before trial. Some case are not contested at all. However, if you and your spouse have some disputed issues, you can expect your case to follow a rather traditional path through the court system.

 Preliminary Case Workup

During the first stage of a contested divorce, the preliminary case workup, we ask a lot of our clients. They must provide us with all of the information and documentation necessary for us to effectively represent them, including income information, bank statements, credit card statements, property documents and titles. All of our clients complete a thorough questionnaire. Once we have sufficient information, we draft the initial Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, have the client sign off on it, and determine the best way to serve their spouse with the initial papers. Once served, we file the documents with the court and secure a place on the docket. Our preliminary case workup usually takes about 30 days, but sometimes occurs much sooner.

Call us today at 763.323.6555 or contact us by e-mail to schedule a free consultation. Protect your rights if you're going through a divorce.

Your Spouse Will Have to Provide Us With Information

During the second stage of a contested divorce, the "discovery stage," we ask a lot of the other side. Discovery allows us to gather an information your spouse may have in their possession and determine the position they will take on the issues in the case. In the interim, we may meet with the judge to have a decision on temporary custody, child support, possession of the homestead and spousal maintenance. Various experts may be involved in your case to assist with the valuation of property or business interests, or to perform a custody evaluation. Often the discovery phase of a case takes several months.

The Case is Positioned for Settlement Discussions

Once we have the discovery phase completed, we position your case for settlement. We might try mediating or sitting down with the other side to discuss various settlement options. Meanwhile, the court will require all parties to attend a pre-trial hearing to discuss settlement of the disputed issues. If we are able to reach a settlement that is fair and equitable, our lawyers prepare a marital termination agreement. This agreement outlines all of the terms in writing and is signed by both parties in front of a notary, along with all attorneys. We when submit the agreement to the court for final approval. The majority of cases are resolved this way.

If Your Case Cannot Be Settled We Take it To Trial

If we are unable to resolve your case, we prepare for trial. All divorces in Minnesota are tried to the court, not to a jury. The length of the trial depends on the number of issues involved in your case. Some cases are tried in a day, others take several days. Trials are expensive (a single day in court costs several thousands dollars on each side) and emotionally draining, but sometimes very necessary. Most often, the cases we take to trial involve disputed custody and spousal maintenance issues. Within 90 days of the trial, the court must issue a written decision on all of the issues presented in your case. If you are dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, you have 60 days in which to file an appeal.

Client Testimonial: "I would recommend the Brown Law Offices, P.A. Jason Brown was professional yet empathetic. This team knows what they are doing. They provided me with a sense of security during an uncertain time." - Joan B., New Hope, Minnesota

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you're facing divorce, we know you have many unanswered questions. The sooner you involve a lawyer, the better able we will be to gather evidence and address other important elements of your case. Contact our Minnesota family law firm now at 763.323.6555 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced divorce attorneys.

Twin Cities Family Law Lawyers & Attorneys

Our Minnesota divorce attorneys represent clients from throughout the Minneapolis metropolitan area, including the city of Albertville, Andover, Anoka, Arden Hills, Becker, Blaine, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Buffalo, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Fridley, Golden Valley, Ham Lake, Hopkins, Independence, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Medina, Melrose, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Minnetrista, Monticello, Mound, New Hope, Norwood Young America, Oak Grove,  Orono, Otsego, Plymouth, Princeton, Ramsey, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rockford, Rogers, Shorewood, Spring Lake Park, St. Francis, St. Louis Park, St. Michael, Wayzata and Zimmerman.

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