Minneapolis Business & Real Estate Law Blog

Considerations for stay-at-home moms going through divorce

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Friday, July 5, 2019.

Being a stay-at-home mom is usually a wonderful experience for the women who have this opportunity. They might not be prepared for the possibility of having to forge a life on their own if the marriage ends. This situation happens more than some people realize, and the women who go through it are often left scrambling to make ends meet.

There are specific considerations that these stay-at-home mothers need to think about. You must find out how laws in Minnesota apply direct to your case. You can't base your decisions off what happened for someone else because even small differences in cases can have a big impact in the outcome.

When parents get along, divorce is easier on kids

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Friday, June 14, 2019.

As you may assume from what you've seen in the past, when you and your partner can get along, even during a divorce, your children are going to fare better. Children are struggling with many things when going through a divorce including changes to their routines, coping with the loss of the structured family unit and more. If fighting is added on top of this, children are going to have a difficult time adjusting.

As parents, the best thing you can do for your children is focus on being kind to one another. Yes, you are divorcing because your marriage didn't work out. However, your child or children are a result of happier times in your marriage. It should be your joint goal to make them as comfortable as possible during your divorce, even if it causes you some discomfort to do so.

Plan for peace as you embark on life after divorce

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Monday, June 3, 2019.

Divorce is a difficult time for both spouses who have to make adjustments to every aspect of their lives. When you add kids into the situation, everything becomes more difficult. Not only are you dealing with the logistical matters, but you also have to think about the emotional challenges.

Anyone who is going through a divorce should ensure that they are taking care of themselves. This is a big part of having a successful start to your new life. On top of that, there are other things you can do to set the best tone for your single life.

Adjusting to single parenting doesn't have to be too stressful

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Monday, May 6, 2019.

One of the biggest changes that parents have to go through when they divorce is becoming accustomed to being a single parent. This can be difficult because they will have to do everything on their own when they have the children. Fortunately, adjusting to single parenthood in Minnesota doesn't have to be a stressful experience.

Remember that as you are trying to adjust, your children are doing the same thing. Helping your children must be a priority as everyone learns how to move forward with the new way of life.

What men must know when heading toward divorce

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Your wife files for divorce. You know some of the stereotypes about divorce all too well. For instance, you have heard that women are more likely to get custody of the kids, while men -- like yourself -- are more likely to pay child support. Due to differences in the workplace, you also think you're more likely to pay alimony, although you may still have a better transition to life after divorce since you can support yourself with your career.

First things first: Don't put too much weight in stereotypes. Much of what is noted above is somewhat outdated. Men and women are more equal than ever before in the workplace. Both can often support themselves. At the same time, men and women are more equal in child custody cases, as well, with courts now attempting to give out joint custody to keep them both involved with the kids.

Make a plan for pets when you divorce

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

People often call pets their "fur babies," which makes it easy to understand that these animals are members of the family. Many people don't automatically think about what is going to happen with pets when a marriage dissolves. This can actually be a contentious area of the divorce.

Many factors go into where a pet will live during the split and after a divorce. Unfortunately, pets are considered personal property in Minnesota. This makes it even more difficult to determine who is going to get to keep them. For many, working out something prior to going to court can be beneficial.

Help keep your children protected when your marriage ends

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Monday, March 25, 2019.

The major life upheaval that comes with a divorce impacts everyone in the family, including the children. The impacts that a divorce can have on the kids are considerable. They might suffer from stress or behavioral issues.

Throughout the process and long after, parents have to do what they can to protect the kids from the negative fall out. There are many ways that this can happen.

Can your neighbor sue you if your tree blocks their view?

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Monday, March 4, 2019.

Trees on a property can substantially contribute to the property's overall value. Depending on the placement, species and age of a tree, mature hardwoods can potentially increase your property value by several thousand dollars. That is due to a combination of the aesthetic value of trees, the way that shade increases your enjoyment of the property or decreases cooling bills in the summer, and the theoretical value of the timber.

Sometimes, people purchase property specifically because of the trees on the land. Other times, people invest in their properties by planting trees that will eventually grow into something large and majestic. It is common for new trees to go in along property lines. Unfortunately, property owners don't always account for the eventual expansion of the canopy of leaves the tree produces or the root system.

Mediation can help protect your business in a divorce

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

You poured your heart and soul into your company. You have every reason to want to protect it. Most people who start their own businesses invest significant amounts of their own time and money into making something financially successful. All of that investment can pay off with enough hard work, allowing you to support yourself and your family with the business you created.

Unfortunately, your business is an asset that could be subject to division in the event of a divorce. Depending on the circumstances of the creation of your company, your spouse may receive some portion of the business in the divorce.

5 reasons why you shouldn’t be afraid to divorce

On behalf of Patrick Burns of Burns & Hansen, P.A. on Friday, February 1, 2019.

If the thought of divorce is inspiring fear, you are not alone. In general, society places a stigma on divorce and a higher value on people who remain married. This creates a lot of pressure to stay in an unhealthy marriage. However, divorce is stressful enough without these societal pressures. It can change your life in completely unknown and unexpected ways.

Even though divorce seems very scary, there are many benefits to ending a bad marriage. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn't be scared of divorce.