To request child custody modification, you must file a new petition in court. The judge will want to know why you are asking the court to change its initial custody order. You must be able to show “just cause,” which means a legitimate reason for requesting a change that would be in your children’s best interest.
When you and your ex signed the initial child custody agreement, you both became obligated to adhere to its terms. Those terms remain in effect unless and until the court grants modification. The following list provides several examples of legitimate reasons for requesting modification:
In some cases (such as parental substance abuse), the court might issue temporary changes to its original custody order. For instance, a judge may restrict the parent in question to supervised visits until he or she completes a rehabilitation program.
If your ex refuses to obey the terms of your child custody agreement, you have a right to ask the court to enforce its orders. A family court judge may hold a parent in contempt of court for disobeying a court order. The thing to remember, however, is that you must go through the proper legal channels to enforce or modify a custody order.
As mentioned earlier, unless and until the court grants modification, the original terms of the agreement remain in effect. Even if you and your ex both want to change the terms, you are not free to do so, unless the judge overseeing your case grants modification. This is true for issues regarding child custody (such as visitation, legal custody and other issues) as well as matters pertaining to child support, which are often part of a custody agreement.
]]>No two marriages are the same, and just because you experience one or more of these issues doesn’t necessarily mean you or your spouse will file for a divorce. However, in many cases, people who have decided to divorce later say that these issues were relevant in the breakdown of their relationships. It’s understandable that a spouse who decides to divorce will want to achieve a swift and amicable settlement.
Some spouses who experience these issues can salvage their relationships, while others decide it’s best to file for divorce:
Spouses who argue nearly every day often do so about child-related issues, money, in-law issues or other relationship issues, such as not feeling appreciated. In every age group -- even spouses who are in their late 50s and older -- infidelity ranks on the top of most lists for reasons that Minnesota spouses file for divorce. The other issues, especially substance abuse, have also been the cause of breakdown in many marriages in recent years.
In recent years especially, many couples have undergone severe health problems, loss of income, deaths of family members and other issues that have caused tremendous strain in their marriages. In some cases, counseling or making a commitment to spend more time together and work out their differences have helped couples restore their marriages. If you’ve tried that, and it hasn’t worked, you should not be embarrassed or feel ashamed. You are notalone in your struggle.
If you have decided to file for divorce, you’ll want to carefully review Minnesota laws that are relevant in your case, such as child custody laws or property division regulations. This state operates under a guideline known as “separate property” in divorce. It’s important to understand the implications this will have for your settlement. You have a right to a fair deal, and there are several things you can do to ensure that you get one.
]]>Since errors could affect the outcome of your situation, it may be beneficial to seek insight on ways to stave off similar concerns. Understanding some of the most prevalent types of mistakes people make during the divorce process could help place you in a better position to protect your future in Minnesota.
Finding ways to reduce the risk of errors could be essential to helping you create a strategy for divorce proceedings that reflects your needs and goals. Some prevalent examples of errors might include:
Failing to address factors such as marital debts could also prove detrimental, as such issues could have a significant influence on the outcome of your situation.
Going through the end of a marriage may rarely be easy, and the idea of making mistakes may only add to the stress of the situation. When facing a similar change in life, you could find it beneficial to seek advice in addressing common types of divorce errors and in finding ways to stave off similar concerns. This could help you better prepare to create a strategy for legal proceedings that aligns with your goals and needs and helps shift your focus toward entering a new chapter in your life.
]]>When the new tenant/landlord laws take effect, renters can be certain that the temperature in units that do not have individual thermostats will be set at a minimal temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This new temperature regulation remains active from October to April each year. Laws taking effect in the new year include several additional regulations to help protect your rights as a tenant.
Cats and dogs and other types of pets have claws, and most animals have a voice. If you’re residing in a rental unit in Minnesota, come the new year, your landlord cannot require you to declaw or devocalize your pet. This does not necessarily mean that a specific rental contract cannot include noise ordinances, only that landlords cannot force tenants to make their pets undergo surgery to remove their claws or silence their vocal cords.
New regulations allow you to request an inspection of your rental unit before you move in. You may also request an inspection before moving out. The latter helps prevent the withholding of security deposits or extra fees for damage or broken items if you were not responsible for the issues in question. For example, if, upon inspection, your unit is in good repair, but you later receive a bill for damage, you’ll have a record of the inspection to refute the charges.
Some landlords try to bully people into renewing their leases early. To further protect your rights as a tenant in a Minnesota rental unit, a new law prohibits a landlord from requesting a lease renewal any earlier than six months prior to its expiration. No one can threaten to evict you or tell you that the property will not be available for rent if you do not renew your lease early.
It’s wise to stay updated on legislation that will be signed into law in 2024 regarding tenant rights and regulations that govern rental properties. The state provides recourse to any tenant whose landlord has disregarded laws or regulations. Knowing your rights ahead of time is the key to protecting those rights against unfair treatment, discrimination and other unlawful conduct.
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