Site Map

• Home
• Our Team
  • Laurie A. Mack-Wagner
  • Lymari J. Santana
  • Peter Ladwein
  • Margaret Lehtinen
  • Haley J. Schaefer
  • Kassy Strable
  • Ann Shantz
  • Frank J. Mack
  • Lisa M. Shaw
  • Peyton State
• Practice Areas
  • Divorce & Marital Dissolution
    • Military Divorce
    • Contested Divorce
    • Uncontested Divorce
  • Divorce Decree Modification
    • Modification Of Child Support
    • Modification Of Parenting Time And Custody
  • Domestic Abuse & Harassment Restraining Orders
  • Child Custody and Visitation / Parenting Time
  • Child Support
  • Division of Marital Assets and Debts
  • Grandparents' Rights
  • Mediation
  • Nonmarital Claims
  • Parental Rights
    • Fathers' Rights
    • Mothers' Rights
  • Paternity Proceedings
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Disputes and Challenges
  • Separation Agreements
  • Spousal Maintenance
• Blog
  • 2026
    • August
    • May
      • Creating a Summer Parenting Time Plan
    • April
      • How Divorce Affects Retirement Plans in Minnesota
      • How Prenups Support Clear Financial Planning in Marriage
    • February
      • Prenuptial Agreements and Debt: How to Shield Yourself from Liability
    • January
      • Prenups vs. Postnups: Key Differences in Minneapolis
      • Tips for Dads Facing Custody Cases: Knowing and Using Your Rights
  • 2025
    • November
      • Tips for Blended Families Celebrating Their First Holiday Season Together
    • October
      • Separation Agreements vs. Full Divorce: Pros, Cons, and Timing
    • August
      • Divorce and Property Division: Protecting Your Assets in Minnesota
    • July
      • Is an Uncontested Divorce Right for Your Situation? Key Factors to Consider
    • May
      • The Impact of Minnesota’s Cost of Living on Alimony Calculations
    • April
      • How Property Division Works in Minnesota
    • February
      • The Impact of Military Divorce on Spousal Support and Child Custody
    • January
      • Creating Effective Parenting Plans for the New Year
  • 2024
    • November
      • The Grounds for Divorce in Your State
    • October
      • How Alimony Works
    • July
      • Dos & Don'ts of Co-Parenting
    • June
      • Benefits of a Prenuptial Agreements
      • Helping Children Cope with Divorce
    • April
      • How to Navigate Divorce Mediation
    • February
      • Why Every Minnesota Couple Should Consider a Prenuptial Agreement
    • January
      • How a Prenuptial Agreement Can Provide Financial Security
  • 2023
    • October
      • What is a Gray Divorce?
      • How To Tell Children About Divorce
    • September
      • Understanding the Basics of Child Support Calculations
    • July
      • How to Modify Custody Orders
    • June
      • What Are the Benefits of Mediating Child Custody Disputes?
    • May
      • Beyond the Finality: Understanding the Options for Modifying Your Minnesota Divorce Decree
      • Prenuptial Agreements: What They Are & Why You May Need One
    • April
      • Same-Sex Divorce in Minnesota: What You Need to Know
      • Social Media & Divorce
    • February
      • Why is Having an Attorney Important for Divorce?
  • 2022
    • December
      • How Do I Start a Conversation About Divorce?
    • November
      • How Do I Approach Mediation Sessions?
    • October
      • When Is Divorce Mediation Not an Option?
    • August
      • What Changes Are Being Made To Child Support?
    • July
      • How Can Co-Parents Make Decisions About School?
    • April
      • What Do Parents Gain From Co-Parenting?
    • March
      • What Can Children Learn From Co-Parenting?
    • February
      • The Potential Benefits of Mediation
  • 2021
    • December
      • What Is Divorce Mediation?
    • October
      • How to Mentally Heal after Divorce
    • September
      • Mental Impacts of Divorce
    • July
      • How Child Custody Works in Minnesota
    • June
      • Types of Custody in Minnesota
    • April
      • Divorce Checklist: What to Do Before Getting a Divorce
    • March
      • How to Handle Debt During a Divorce
  • 2020
    • February
      • How Can Divorce Affect Small or Family Businesses?
  • 2019
    • October
      • Understanding the Financial Implications of Divorce After 50
  • 2018
    • July
      • Spousal Maintenance: When ‘Permanent’ Support Isn’t
    • April
      • How Does Minnesota Treat Pet Custody in Divorce?
      • Plan Your Financial Future After Divorce to Ease Stress
      • Domestic Abuse: An Issue Shrouded in Misinformation
  • 2017
    • September
      • Divorce Focus: Valuing and Dividing a Family Business
    • July
      • Identifying, Taking Action to Stop Dissipation of Marital Assets
    • April
      • Existing Parenting Time/Visitation Orders: Are They Immutable?
      • The “Amicable” Divorce: Is Such a Thing Routinely Available?
    • March
      • Hiding Divorce Assets in a High-Tech Age
    • February
      • Finances Not the End-All in a Divorce, but They Are Certainly Key
  • 2016
    • October
      • Changing Demographics: Implications for Divorce Asset Division
      • Focus on Financially Independent Women Contemplating Divorce
    • September
      • Instructive Qualities in Pitt/Jolie Divorce? Perhaps.
      • Why You Need a Good Attorney in a High-Asset Divorce
      • Enlightened School Officials Know That “Family” Is Fluid Concept
      • Spousal Maintenance: Focus on Minnesota’s Cohabitation Law, Part 2
    • August
      • Spousal Maintenance: Focus on Minnesota’s Cohabitation Law
    • May
      • Hiding Marital Assets: A Game Sometimes Played in Earnest
    • April
      • Should Cohabitation Be a Factor in Alimony Determinations?
      • Dividing Business Assets in Divorce
      • Spousal Maintenance Focus: Alimony Considerations in Minnesota
      • Minnesota Divorce: When a Family-Owned Business Is Involved
      • Upside Potential Abounds in Post-Divorce Co-Parenting
      • Family Law Issues, Considerations: The Role of Proven Counsel
    • February
      • Discovery in a MN Dissolution (Divorce) Case
      • Bird’s Nest Custody Plans May Work for Some Couples
      • College Savings? Is There a 529 Plan in Your Divorce Agreement?
    • January
      • What Do You Need to Make the Decision?
      • What Your Divorce Does Not Do
      • Tips for Achieving a (Relatively) Affordable Divorce
      • Should You Keep Your Home After a Divorce?
  • 2015
    • December
      • Are You Certain You Really Want a Divorce?
      • Sharing Nicely During the Holidays
      • Holiday Season Reduces the Number of Divorces Filed
      • Planning for the Future After Divorce
      • Child Support and Child Custody: It’s Always Complex
    • November
      • Do You Really Believe Your Children Do Not Know?
      • Financial Concerns During a Divorce
      • A New Thanksgiving
      • Divorced Grandparents Come Together for Their Granddaughter
    • October
      • It Can Happen
      • Difficult Cases Make for Difficult Outcomes
      • Help for Co-Parenting in Minnesota
      • The Financial Side of a Marriage
      • Does Your Parenting Plan Work With School?
    • September
      • Are You Wiser Than a Six-Year Old?
      • The Importance of Your Parenting Plan
      • Bad Law Makes Hard Cases
      • In Vitro Fertilization: Fertile Grounds for Dispute in a Divorce
      • Why Do Women Choose Divorce First?
    • August
      • Even for the Elderly, la Dolce Vita May Mean Divorce
      • Why Is a Paternity Test So Important?
      • This Month, Focus on Resolving Child Support Issues in Minnesota
    • July
      • Dedicated Advocacy for Parents With Relocation Concerns
      • Study Examines the Support Paid by Low Income, Noncustodial Fathers
      • Examining Custody, Visitation and Substance Abuse Issues
      • Why It’s Important to Keep an Open Mind About Prenuptial Agreements
      • How Much Do You Know About the Termination of Parental Rights – IV?
    • June
      • Who Is Eligible for a Legal Separation in Minnesota?
      • Who Is Eligible for an Annulment in Minnesota?
      • Parents Now Have More Options to Help Their Children With Divorce
      • The Value of Taking a Measured Approach to Business Valuation and Divorce
    • May
      • Update Concerning Idaho’s Passage of International Child Support Treaty
      • Could an Ongoing Family Law Debate in Idaho Have Global Implications?
      • Learning More About Modification of Child Support Orders – III
      • Learning More About Modification of Child Support Orders – II
    • April
      • How Much Do You Know About Divorce and Financial Early Neutral Evaluation? – III
      • Don’t Forget to Consider These Factors on Tax Day
      • How Much Do You Know About Divorce and Financial Early Neutral Evaluation?
      • Court Says Okay to Serving Divorce Papers Over Facebook
    • March
      • Learning More About Modification of Child Support Orders
      • A Closer Look at Paternity Matters in Minnesota – III
      • How Much Do You Know About the Termination of Parental Rights- III?
      • Could a New Type of Divorce Be Coming to Minnesota?
      • Why Some of America’s Wealthy Are Turning to Divorce Funding Firms
    • February
      • A Primer on Minnesota’s Child Custody Laws
      • Have You Considered Divorce Mediation?
      • Bill Would Require Divorcing Parents to Take Classroom Course
      • How Much Do You Know About the Termination of Parental Rights- II?
    • January
      • How Much Do You Know About the Termination of Parental Rights?
      • Oil Baron’s Ex Cashes $975 Million Check, Still Plans to Appeal
      • Can MN Courts Ever Include Nonmarital Property in a Division?
      • How Many People Will Pursue a Divorce in 2015?
  • 2014
    • December
      • Do You Know Enough About Divorce and Social Security?
      • Separating Marital Property Is Never an Easy Endeavor
      • What Minnesota Law Says About Visitation Rights and Grandparents
    • November
      • Why Experience Counts in Paternity Proceedings
      • $1b Judgment Not Enough, Says Former Spouse in Oil Tycoon Divorce
      • What’s the Most Common Mistake Made by Divorcing Spouses?- II
      • What’s the Most Common Mistake Made by Divorcing Spouses?
    • October
      • Important Financial Considerations for Older Divorcing Couples
      • Why Gray Divorce Can Be an Inviting — Yet Scary — Proposition
      • Billions of Dollars on the Line as Divorce Trial of Oil Tycoon Ends
      • Is There a Right Way to Talk About Prenups?
    • September
      • Consider Making a Prenup Part of Your Wedding Day Planning
      • A Closer Look at Paternity Matters in Minnesota – II
      • Why Are RVs Being Used to Help Those With Child Support Issues?
      • Business Valuation in a Divorce Can Get Tricky
      • Study Explores Whether Online Co-Parenting Classes Need Changes
    • August
      • Why Are Officials in One Nation Limiting Divorces to 15 per Day?
      • Are Some States Worse Than Others When It Comes to Divorce?
      • Billions of Dollars at Stake in Oil Baron’s Divorce Trial
      • Issues Regarding Marital House May Extend Beyond Divorce
    • July
      • Why Keeping Your Emotions in Check Is Vital in a Divorce
      • Another Study Links Facebook With Divorce
      • North Dakota Ballot Measure Calls for Shared Parenting
      • A Closer Look at Paternity Matters in Minnesota
      • When It Comes to Divorce, Preparation Is Important
    • June
      • Father’s Day Text Asking for Child Support Proves Unpopular
      • Be Mindful of How Divorce Can Affect Your Career
      • Important Divorce Considerations for Wealthy Spouses
      • Are There Times to Consider Postponing a Divorce?
    • May
      • Court: MN Man Owes Child Support Despite Test Disproving Paternity – II
      • Court: MN Man Owes Child Support Despite Test Disproving Paternity
      • How Would Medical Marijuana Affect Child Custody in Minnesota?
      • Study Examines How Serious Illness Can Affect Marriage
    • April
      • The Importance of Taking Charge of Post-Divorce Finances
      • Private Custody Transfers Now Strictly Regulated in Wisconsin
      • What the Law Says About Student Loan Debt and Divorce
      • Man Shocked to Learn Child Support Payments May Last Indefinitely
      • Research Shows the Divorce Rate Is Much Higher Than We Thought
    • March
      • ‘Lifestyle Clauses’ Adding a New Element to Prenups, Postnups
      • Study Questions Link Between Divorce, Cohabitation
      • Minnesota Split Ruling Creates Child Support Law Controversy
      • Alabama Law Would Send Divorcing Parents Back to School
    • February
      • Experts Advise Caution When Using Divorce Smartphone Apps
      • SD Lawmakers Looking to Move Forward With Shared Parenting Bill
      • Is a Kansas Lawmaker Proposing the End of No-Fault Divorce?
      • Study: As Economic Conditions Improve, Divorces Start to Rise
    • January
      • Are Shared-Parenting Laws Poised to Become the New Norm?
      • New Software Looks to Make Child Support Management Much Easier
      • Should a Postnup Accompany Any Stay-at-Home Parenting Agreement?
      • 2013: The Year of Some Very Intriguing Divorce-Related Findings
      • The Benefits of Filing for Divorce in January
  • 2013
    • December
      • For Growing Number of Couples, Divorce Isn’t Necessarily the End
      • More and More Couples Are Wondering About Prenups
      • Santa Claus and Custody: Who Decides What to Tell the Kids?
      • Startup Takes Unique Approach to Divorce Mediation
    • November
      • Can Back Child Support Really Be Less Stressful for Parents?
      • How the Golden Arches Are Front and Center in Visitation Dispute
      • When Can a Parent Ask DHS for Help in Collecting Child Support?
      • Study Shows What Cities, States Have the Highest Divorce Rate
    • October
      • Due to Tireless Efforts, Mom Gets Child Support 30 Years Later
      • Should Work Benefits Be Included in Child Support Calculations?
      • Survey: Hiding Your Credit Card Statement Can Hurt Your Marriage
      • How Did a Child Sue His Billionaire Father for Child Support?
      • Will the Affordable Care Act Cause the Divorce Rate to Jump?
    • September
      • Controversial Child Support Ad Sparks Debate in One U.S. State
      • How an Empty Nest Can Present Real Challenges for Boomer Parents
      • How Social Media Can Become Problematic for Divorcing Spouses
      • Important Considerations for Older Adults Considering Divorce
    • August
      • Back to School Doesn’t Have to Mean Trouble for Divorced Parents
      • Would You Be Willing to Sign a ‘Wedlease?’
      • Survey: Home Remodeling May Cause Marital Strain
      • Are Mobile Paternity Labs Coming to the Streets Near You?
      • Experts Urge All MN Couples to Consider the Impact of Marriage
    • July
      • Study Examines Why Unhappy Couples Continue to Avoid Divorce
      • Postnuptial Agreements Likely Becoming More Common
      • Can Men Get Alimony Following a Minnesota Divorce?
      • Minnesota Program Designed to Help Establish Paternity
    • June
      • The Collecting of Back Child Support in Minnesota
      • What to Expect With Same-Sex Marriage Coming to Minnesota
      • Proposed Law for Equal Time Sharing for Parents in Minnesota
      • Famed Boxer Grapples With Child Support Dispute
      • Advice of a Minnesota Family Law Judge
• Contact Us
• Site Map