At Terzich & Ort, LLP, in Maple Grove, our attorneys bring years of experience to men and women throughout the 13-county area in and around the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Our lawyers have been named as “Rising Stars” multiple times by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. Attorney Jodi M. Terzich and Shannon L. Ort have also been designated by the publication as a Minnesota “Super Lawyer” and Shannon L. Ort was named the 2023 Lawyer of the Year. We place a high priority on personal attention, providing prompt and courteous service at reasonable rates. Contact our office or call us at 763-391-7354 to arrange a meeting.
The legal process of divorce can be complex. When you need a trusted divorce lawyer in Minnesota, our firm is here to help. We work with men and women at all stages of a divorce, from the choice to file through negotiation, mediation or trial to post-judgment requests for modification or enforcement of existing orders. Our Minnesota Divorce Lawyers handle all matters related to or arising out of a contested or uncontested divorce, including:
We will protect your parental rights as we help you develop an effective child custody plan. As part of this process, we can help you evaluate the unique needs of your child, such as medical conditions or educational opportunities, to make a customized parenting plan.
Our team can review your child support proposal to make sure that it complies with Minnesota law. We also work to ensure that we consider all financial matters in your case to get an accurate account of income and needs.
If spousal maintenance is a possibility in your case, we will advocate for you. Our team can assess all details, including the payment amount and schedule, to keep the arrangement fair for you.
Divorce can impact your shared assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds and business investments. As your asset distribution attorney, we create comprehensive strategies to protect your assets both during the divorce process and long into your future.
When you need to modify or enforce an existing order, you can count on our lawyers for full service.
Our team represents clients in domestic violence issues and helps them seek orders for protection whenever necessary.
Our lawyers can handle cases through mediation
Because Minnesota is a no-fault state, except in very limited circumstances, it will not matter whether you or your spouse engaged in wrongful conduct. Additionally, there is no waiting period; it is final as soon as the judge signs the divorce decree.
There is a minimum 30-day waiting period after the petition is served. However, most cases take six to twelve months to resolve, primarily due to the time required for discovery, negotiation, mediation, and scheduling court appearances if needed. Highly complex cases involving significant assets or intense custody disputes can take longer.
Yes. Minnesota is a strict no-fault state, meaning the only ground required for divorce is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You do not need to prove adultery, cruelty, or abandonment. The court does not consider fault when dividing property.
Marital property is any asset or debt acquired by either spouse during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. Non-marital property is anything you owned before the marriage, or received during the marriage as a gift or inheritance. Only marital property is subject to equitable division in the divorce.
No, most divorces in Minnesota are settled outside of a traditional courtroom trial. Many couples successfully resolve all issues through mediation or attorney-led negotiation and only attend a brief, final hearing to have the judge sign the Judgment and Decree. A full trial is only necessary if you and your spouse cannot agree on one or more major issues. An experienced asset distribution attorney can help you trace non-marital assets to ensure they remain protected.
Yes, you can. The only requirement is that you must be a resident of Minnesota for at least 180 days (six months) immediately preceding the filing of the divorce petition. Your spouse’s location does not prevent you from filing in Minnesota, though they will need to be properly served with the papers.
To set up an appointment, call our office at 763-391-7354 or send us an email. We are available weekdays during traditional business hours, and evening appointments can be arranged as necessary. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
