The Complete Family Lawyer

Answers to 101 Questions in 17 Areas of Family Law

Originally presented:  January 27, 2020     |     Course length:  6.0 hours

A Crash Course Dealing with Key Issues in 17 Areas of Family Law
This fun, fast-paced seminar, filled with a wealth of practical information every family law attorney should know, is a whole new way to learn family law! All attendees will receive The Complete Family Lawyer’s Quick Answer Book, a handy reference guide containing the answers, legal authority and commentary for the questions discussed at the course!

Client Relations  (20 MINUTES)
What documents should I ask the client to bring to the initial consultation? What should I include in the retainer agreement? How should I decline representation? And many more.
– R. Leigh Frost.

Domestic Violence  (20 MINUTES)
What is the difference between an OFP and an HRO? What is a DANCO? How does an allegation of domestic violence affect custody and parenting time issues? And many more.
– Rana S. Alexander

Child Custody and Parenting Time  (20 MINUTES)
What is the difference between legal and physical custody? Is one more important than the other? How do custody labels affect child support? What are the best interest factors and how are they used to decide custody and parenting time? And many more.
– Nancy Zalusky Berg

Spousal Maintenance  (20 MINUTES)
What do I have to prove to get spousal maintenance for my client? What is a “Karon” waiver? What if the payer of spousal maintenance retires? And many more.
– Susan C. Rhode .

Child Support  (20 MINUTES)
How is child support set in split custody situations? When are deviations appropriate and how are they determined? How is child support modified? And many more.

Paternity  (20 MINUTES)
Who and what are necessary or permissive parties in a paternity action? What are the required elements of a paternity adjudication? Are genetic tests required before a paternity adjudication? And many more.
– Autumn L. Nelson & Melissa A. Rossow

Property  (20 MINUTES)
When is an equitable division of property not equal? When is income divided as property? What tracing is necessary in order to prove a nonmarital claim? And many more.
– Ben M. Henschel & Katie E. Merkel

Third Party Custody  (20 MINUTES)
Who can petition the court for third party custody? What is the difference between a “de facto custodian” and an “interested third party”? Does a parent need to be included as a party in the third party custody proceeding if they have never been adjudicated as a parent and they are not on the child’s birth certificate? And many more.
– Theresa E. Bea & Gary A. Debele

Questions & Answers  (10 MINUTES)

Alternative Dispute Resolution  (20 MINUTES)
Is an agreement from a facilitated process ever binding? What information from a confidential ADR process can be shared with the court? Which decisions from ADR processes must be filed with the court? And many more.
– Dana McKenzie

Taxes  (20 MINUTES)
Which parent is entitled to head of household filing status, and can it be changed by court order? Can a family court require married parties to file a joint return, and what are the consequences of filing a joint return? And many more.
– Michael P. Boulette & Sonja Trom Eayrs

Interstate and International Issues  (20 MINUTES)
What is the process for commencing a family court action against someone who lives out of state or out of the country? What is the interplay between subject matter and personal jurisdiction in interstate and international family law cases? What are strategies to address jurisdictional conflicts in interstate and international divorce or child custody cases? And many more.
– Valerie D. Arnold

Agreements Between Married and Unmarried Couples  (20 MINUTES)
What are the requirements for an antenuptial agreement to be enforceable? What are the requirements for a postnuptial agreement to be enforceable? How do you modify or amend an antenuptial agreement? And many more 
– James J. Vedder

Retirement Accounts  (20 MINUTES)
Can a QDRO be entered before a Decree is entered? Can a QDRO be entered after the death of the Plan Participant? Can the award of a portion of a PERA benefit to a former spouse be subject to increases for earnings? And many more.
– Thomas M. Hughes

Unmarried and Same-Sex Couples  (20 MINUTES)
What effect, if any, does the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges have on same-sex couples since Minnesota marriage equality had already passed as state law?. In what circumstances does Minnesota’s cohabitation statute apply? Do unmarried same-sex couples have a right to property division, including real estate, upon ending their relationship if the parties did not have a written agreement regarding division of property? And many more.
– Mary Pat Byrn & Libby Due

Military Issues  (20 MINUTES)
If my Servicemember has not physically resided in Minnesota for several years, can I still bring the divorce proceeding in Minnesota? What is the Servicemember Civil Relief Act and what does it do? How do I calculate the income for a Servicemember for the purposes of child support? And many more.
– Johanna Clyborne

Children in Need of Protection  (20 MINUTES)
What is the definition of child abuse under Minnesota law? What should you expect in juvenile court hearings? How does a child abuse allegation impact family court proceedings? And many more.
– Mallory K. Stoll

Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Technology  (30 MINUTES)
How does one begin the adoption process? What is an adoption home study? What does the Indian Child Welfare Act require? And many more.
– Theresa E. Bea & Gary A. Debele

Questions & Answers  (10 MINUTES)