Maple Grove Family Law Blog

When you and your spouse are thinking about filing for a divorce, it is likely due to issues with your communication in one way or another. When one or both spouses fail to make clear and constructive communication about what they want from their marriage or what they would like to see change, serious issues usually arise.

Before taking action or filing for divorce, many couples decide to try divorce mediation to see if it can help them work through their issues. Divorce mediation generally has two primary desired outcomes -- either it helps a couple work through their issues, thus allowing them to remain married, or it helps them decide that divorce is the best option. Mediation is designed to help couples move through the process of splitting up smoothly and amicably.

House republicans have proposed a change to the current spousal support (alimony) laws that affect divorces all over the country. The change would take away the ability for the payee to have the alimony amount deducted from his/her taxes. In addition the recipient would no longer be able to have alimony count as taxable income.

Breaking down the details

Paternity in Minnesota is a frequent issue that must be navigated for the good of the parents and the child. One issue that must be understood is 'Recognition of Parentage.' This is a document establishing the legal relationship between a man and his child if he is not married to the mother. However, there are other factors to remember, such as its advantages, disadvantages and how it can be undone.

For Minnesotans going through a divorce, it will inevitably be a difficult time, with many factors coming to the forefront as they try to adapt. One issue that is worrisome for women is the way their budgets will change after the case is complete. This must be considered during the process so it is addressed and there is preparation for the future.

Statistics show that being married can be beneficial when it comes to finances. The median weekly earnings for women who are married is 20 percent higher than that of women who are not married. This information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Married women were found to earn more than unmarried men at 9.6 percent. They make 23.4 percent less than married men. Post-divorce, the woman's overall income for the home fell by an average of 41 percent. That is nearly double what men lose in a similar situation.