Stepparent adoptions are some of the most streamlined adoptions in the State of Minnesota. They do not require a home study, social and medical history, or the assistance of an adoption agency. There are, however, several steps to take and forms to file to complete the process. [Read more…]
WFJ Presents: Divorce and the Affordable Care Act: How the ACA Impacts Health Insurance and Tax Deductions for Minor Children
Every parent who is getting divorced should be sure to include in the final divorce decree a provision establishing which party will maintain health insurance coverage for the benefit of the minor children. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their dependents have minimum essential health care coverage. [Read more…]
WFJ Presents: Dealing with Holiday Parenting Time After Divorce: 3 Simple Steps to Reduce Stress
Many people address holiday parenting time directly in their divorce decree. This can be a good place to start in order to determine who the kids will spend time with around the holidays. Unfortunately, not every divorce decree has a specific holiday parenting time schedule. [Read more…]
WFJ Presents: Minnesota Divorce Basics
If you’re contemplating getting divorced, the process can seem overwhelming. There are a few basic things to know about filing for divorce in Minnesota:
1. Residency requirement. In order to file for divorce in Minnesota, you need to have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days prior to filing. [Read more…]
WFJ Presents: Modifying a Child Support Order in Wisconsin
Changing the amount of an established child support order is called an adjustment or modification of child support. The amount of child support may increase, decrease, or stay the same but instead it will add medical support or other variable expenses to the existing order. Either party subject to the order may bring an action for modification. [Read more…]
Financial Independence for Married Individuals
Married? If so, let’s read your financial independence barometer.
Marriage brings many things, but for some couples it means one partner giving up a career to care for the home and the children. When this occurs, financial resources (credit, loans, etc.) often become tied to the breadwinner in the relationship. The individual that primarily works in the home frequently doesn’t even think about his or her credit, since the family is financially provided for by the working spouse. [Read more…]
Family Law 101: Do I Really Need a Prenuptual Agreement?
Prenuptial agreements are not just for the rich and famous. A prenuptial agreement allows couples to dictate how their property, including property they brought into the marriage, will be divided in the event of death or dissolution of their marriage. Effectively, parties to a prenuptial agreement agree that they will determine the law that applies, rather than allow Minnesota law to determine each party’s rights and obligations. So, while everyone believes their marriage will last forever, the reality is that not all of them do. Also, parties may decide to be married later in life, once they have accumulated some wealth and property interests, and they may want a prenuptial agreement to ensure that their property is protected. [Read more…]
Establishing Legal Fatherhood in Wisconsin
First time fathers and mothers are sometimes surprised to learn the legal actions required to establish legal fatherhood or paternity in the state of Wisconsin. How paternity is established depends upon the martial status and age of the parents.
If the father and mother are married at the time the child is born:
It is legally assumed that the child is the biological child of the married couple and both parents have all the rights and responsibilities to care for and provide financial support for the child. [Read more…]
Family Law 101: Modification of Child Support Following a Child’s Graduation
In light of recent graduations, many child support obligors assume that their child support payments will automatically reduce upon their child’s graduation. However, if there are other children in the family still eligible for child support, the amount of child support will remain in effect unless the child support order provides for an automatic reduction due to emancipation, or the obligor brings a motion for modification. [Read more…]
Family Law 101: Father’s Rights to Custody and Parenting Time
Most people may be surprised to learn that a father has no legal rights to custody or parenting time with his child if he was not married to the child’s mother at the time of the child’s birth. In Minnesota, if a child is born to an unwed mother, the mother is the sole legal and physical custodian of the child. A father has to bring a legal action to obtain rights to custody and parenting time, even in cases where paternity is uncontested. [Read more…]