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…)

Divorce can be a difficult and emotionally draining situation, and when children are involved the process can become even more complicated. But for your children’s well being, one important thing to remember is to be supportive of the child’s relationship with the other parent. This is sometimes not an easy stance to take, especially if there is still anger or hurt present. (more…)

During a divorce and custody battle the courts main concern is the well-being of your child. Ideally you and the other parent would work together to create a parenting plan that suits everyone involved. This is optimal because you know your child best, you have a say in how they are raised, and then it makes it easier for the judge to approve. Additionally, it is much more cost effective to not involve the court in your parenting decisions. In the event you don’t come up with a parenting plan to present to the court, then it will be up to the court to determine how you should raise your child.
In both cases the judge will ask you questions to ensure the best interest of your child is taken into account. Below is a list of some typical questions the judge may ask. These are good things to proactively think about prior to making your court appearance.
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We’ve talked about the importance of creating a parenting plan, and how the individual ages of your children will play a significant role in that plan.  As you prepare to have that meeting with the other parent, here are a few tips to make it a successful one.
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As Minnesota family lawyers with relevant experience, we know that conflict at home is never desirable.  One of the keys to a more fulfilling home environment is learning how to reduce the conflict that, at times, seems unavoidable.

A great place to begin is by recognizing the conditions that often lead up to, or enable, the conflict.  Consider the most recent conflict you witnessed or were a part of, and think about what topic or disagreement was at its root.  By pinpointing some of those “trigger” topics, you may be able to better control when or how some of conflicts arise.

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