Collaborative Law Institute Blog – Family Law Attorneys & Professionals
Packaging a Divorce
My two year old daughter received Legos for Christmas. They were the bigger bricks, which are perfect for her chubby, dimpled hands, and pink and purple “princess” Legos that could be made into, what else? Castles! She really wasn’t interested in the figurines that...
Listening First, Speaking Later
After dinner one evening, my two-year-old was playing with her brother’s indominus rex (she likes dinosaurs). She climbed up to her bathroom sink, grabbed her toothbrush, climbed down, plopped herself down on the floor, and…much to my dismay…brushed the dino’s...
Identity Theft – Credit Freeze
Recently, a friend told me that a good Samaritan found and returned the wallet he had lost the previous day. The funny thing he said, was that the credit cards and money were still there but his driver’s license and Social Security card were missing. Not finding it at...
What Would a Court Do: Property Division and Cash Flow (Part 2)
As a collaborative attorney, I am often asked “what would a court do?” Although parties in a collaborative divorce are not asking the court to make decisions in their case, what the law is and how a court may view an issue is important. It is part of the...
What Would a Court Do: Custody and Parenting Time (Part 1)
As a collaborative attorney, I am often asked “what would a court do?” Although parties in a collaborative divorce are not asking the court to make decisions in their case, what the law is and how a court may view an issue is important. It is part of the...
All Hands on Deck
Divorcing couples often think that they will be “done” when the court documents are signed and the divorce is finalized, and that there will be only smooth sailing ahead. But, after the documents are finalized, there is the new normal to navigate, particularly...
Finances & Divorce: 9 Questions to Prepare
When you first consider divorce, there are often many financial questions and concerns. A complete resolution will answer many of these questions, but it is important to have a complete understanding of the financial situation before coming up with resolutions. ...
Retirement Accounts & Divorce: 5 Things to Know
In divorce, there are many things to consider with retirement accounts. Here are 5 important facts/questions to keep in mind when dealing with such accounts during a divorce. Tax Free Division. In Minnesota, retirement accounts that were created during the marriage...
Single Parents Often Walk a Financial Tightrope
Being a single parent demands so much of a person’s time and energy that taking care of longer-term financial concerns often take a back seat. So many single parents face financial restrictions that make it seem they are constantly on a financial tightrope. Getting...
Designing Divorces
“Mom, why won’t this piece fit here like it should?” My son is trying to build a Lego kit, and has made a mistake in the previous steps while trying to follow the directions. He keeps fitting the pieces together, but isn’t getting any closer to making the design on...
