Maple Grove Family Law Blog

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.

The arrival of a new baby in the lives of Minnesota parents is often a celebrated and joyous event. For many, children are a blessing that grow their families and add love to their daily lives. However, in some cases the birth of a child may raise questions about their parentage that are difficult to answer. Although it is very easy to identify a child's mother at birth, knowing who fathered the newborn can be difficult to determine if there is uncertainty regarding the child's conception.

In some cases legal presumptions exist that basically assign parentage to certain men. If a woman is married then it is presumed that her husband is the child's father. If a woman gives birth to a child and her partner acknowledges and legitimizes their parentage of the child then the acknowledging party is presumed to be the child's father. Other circumstances exist that will give presumptive parentage to a man when a baby is born.