Minnesota

In Minnesota, if an attorney represents you and the other party it is possible to file all dissolution documents administratively, which allows you both not to show up to court to finalize the divorce.

Minnesota is considered a “no fault” state. This means that you do not need the consent of your spouse to obtain a divorce, nor are the reasons why you want a divorce considered in granting the divorce. In Minnesota, the courts can enter a divorce decree upon showing that:

• One of the parties has lived in the state for 180 days prior to the commencement of the proceedings
• The marriage is irretrievably broken

Not finding the answer you are looking for? Browse our entire Minnesota Divorce FAQ.

Child support is determined based on the gross monthly income of both parties and other expenses such as daycare costs and medical insurance costs. The parenting time of each parent is also a factor.

There are three tiers for parenting time percentages, under 10%, 10% to 45% and 45.1% to 50%. There is a 12% reduction in child support for a parent receiving between 10% and 45% of the parenting time. There is also a more significant reduction for a parent with 45.1% to 50%.

If you cannot mutually agree on a custody arrangement, the court will have to determine a schedule that it deems is in the best interest of the minor child. In some cases, the court will order a custody/parenting time evaluation to be done by a neutral private evaluator.

A custody/parenting time evaluation usually takes between three to six months to complete. The costs can vary between the evaluator chosen. The evaluator will make recommendations to the court. The courts will usually follow the recommendations.

Not finding the answer you are looking for? Browse our entire Minnesota Child Custody FAQ.