Finding the right representation for your family law case can be challenging.  You want to make sure the representation you hire has experience with your situation and a track record of success.  You also have to trust them to give you the best advice and to be dedicated to seeing your case through.

Here are five suggestions we have on finding the right family law attorney in Minnesota:

1. Do they offer a free consultation?  Lawyers should be willing to meet with you, free of charge, to discuss your case and if they believe you have a case worth pursuing, or if there are alternatives to seek out first such as mediation.
2. References, references, references. Make sure the family lawyer you meet with can provide you with proof they have experience where you most need it.
3. Do they ‘specialize’ in everything? When you are looking for a family law attorney, you should make sure that is what they specialize in. All-in-one law firms tend to lack the expertise needed in the family law courtrooms.
4. Check them out on the BBB.  If you see any recent complaints or a grade that is a C, D, or F, walk away.
5. Google them.  A fast Google search for the firm’s name can turn up reviews, good or bad, about the firm. Doing this research can give you a better idea of the family law attorneys you are trusting your case to.

At Butler & Allen, P.A. we specialize in family law and fathers rights in Minnesota.  If you would like to meet with us for a free consultation to discuss your case, call us at 651-228-0720 or fill out our online contact form and we will get back to you soon.

If you are a parent in Minnesota, please be aware of the many family education programs available to you and your family.  A simple search for “Parenting Classes MN” can give you in seconds resources such as parenting classes in Minnesota, parenting support groups, and workshops for families struggling with divorce or separation.

A snippet of the search results for "Parenting Classes MN"

Because parenting is such a personal topic, you may feel nervous or embarrassed to ask for help.  With the number of resources and communities out there however, you should embrace new ideas and group sessions.

We work with families dealing with an array of different family law issues and are able to tailor our experience and knowledge to your case.  We want the best outcome for your family and often services such as parenting classes or mediation are a step in the right direction.

Please contact our St Paul family law office if you have a case you would like to discuss with one of our attorneys.  651-228-0720.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law which protects Indian children who are members or eligible members of a federally recognized tribe.  The law allows the child’s tribe to be involved in the child’s case to help keep the community stable and to help eliminate the removal of children from their homes and then placing them in public and private agencies.  The tribe may intervene in the case and petition the case be moved to the tribal court.

To find more information on the ICWA law please visit their website here: http://www.nicwa.org/Indian_Child_Welfare_Act/faq/

The family attorneys at Butler & Allen are here to help with every situation from child custody to divorce to father’s rights in the courtroom.  Please contact one of our experienced attorney’s today and we will offer you a free consultation to discuss your case.

Alimony, also referred to as spousal maintenance, is a term to describe the legal obligation of a spouse to provide financial support to the other spouse after separation or divorce. 

The alimony amount, how it should be paid, and for how long are up to the judge hearing your case.  One of the main reasons for alimony is to ensure the same standard of life can continue for both parties after a divorce or separation. 

For more information please visit our Alimony page.  The attorney’s at Butler and Allen have successfully worked with clients during divorce and separation proceedings in Minnesota.  Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your family law dispute.

View our attorney profiles here.

As indicated in the previous post, utilizing a Positive parenting style is integral in helping your children build more self-confidence, increase social skills, and perform better in school. If you realized you were using one of the other parenting styles and want to know how to transition into a Positive Parenting style below are some ideas. If you are not doing these, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate and incorporate some, if not all, of these tactics. (more…)

Everyone has a different approach to parenting. How you decide to parent your child can come from a combination of factors, but mainly your parenting style comes from how you were raised. There are four basic parenting styles.

Knowing which one you use can help you to understand why you react certain ways and how each action can positively or negatively affect your child. Likewise, knowing your spouse’s parenting style will help you recognize how they approach situations.

Whether you are married or divorced it is helpful to understand which styles of parenting your children are receiving from each parent. (more…)

Every child is affected differently by divorce and their needs can heavily depend on their age. It’s important to know what the basic needs are for each age group, what can help them cope, and what situations the child may be facing at that age. Age groups can be classified into four categories: infants and toddlers, preschoolers, elementary middle-schoolers, and adolescents. (more…)

No two people are the same, and chances are, you can see this fact distinctly even between your own children. While they have the same parents, it may seem they have nothing else in common.

With so many differences, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes time to determine a parenting plan. If every child is unique, where can you find guidance?
The good news is, while children’s personalities and likes/dislikes differ, children within certain age groups have similar needs. Here, we’ll describe some of these basic needs and general guidelines for fulfilling them.
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Coping with a divorce is difficult for everyone involved, but it can be particularly difficult for your children. When you’re not even sure how to deal with the situation yourself, it’s confusing to try to help to help your children cope, too.

A good, simple rule is to be as open and honest as you can about the details of the divorce that will impact your children’s lives, while accepting their emotions, even if you’re surprised by these reactions. (more…)

Coping with a divorce is a difficult, emotional process, and the complicated forms and paperwork involved as you begin your divorce proceedings don’t make things any easier. During this challenging time, it’s important to find a lawyer that will not only guide you through the facts of your case but one that will also put you at ease. Working with a lawyer that isn’t right for you, whether it is because of their experience or their philosophy, can have a lasting detrimental impact.

But with everything going on in your life and all the information out there, it’s hard to know where to begin. While choosing a divorce lawyer is a personal decision that’s unique to you and your situation, here are some tips to help you start sorting everything out.

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