Minnesota Divorce Information and
FAQ
Minnesota law permits dissolution of marriages based upon the
irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. A finding of irretrievable
breakdown of the marriage is a determination that there is no reasonable
prospect of reconciliation. The parties must have either lived separate
and apart for more than one hundred eighty (180) days or there must exist
serious marital discord that adversely affects one or both of the parties
toward the marriage. MSA 518.06
Residency requirements Minnesota law requires that at least one of the
spouses must be a resident of the state for a minimum of one hundred
eighty (180) days immediately prior to the filing of the petition for
divorce. MSA 518.07
Venue The petition for divorce may be filed in the county in which
either party resides. MSA 518.09
Legal separation Minnesota law permits a judgment of legal separation
to be granted if the same requirements are met as for a dissolution of
marriage and the court finds that one or both of the parties need a legal
separation. MSA 518.07 Alimony/support The courts may award alimony to
either spouse only upon a finding that the spouse seeking the alimony
lacks sufficient property to provide for his/her reasonable needs
considering the standard of living attained during the marriage; is unable
to adequately support himself/herself, considering the standard of living
attained during the marriage, through appropriate employment; or, is a
custodian of a child whose condition is such that the custodian should not
be required to seek employment. Factors the court considers in determining
the amount and term of alimony include:
1. The financial resources of the spouse seeking alimony 2. The time
necessary for the spouse seeking support to acquire sufficient education
or training 3. The comparative earning capacity of each spouse 4. The
standard of living established during the marriage 5. The obligations and
assets of the marriage, both separate and marital 6. The duration of the
marriage 7. The age, physical and mental condition of the spouse seeking
support 8. The ability of the supporting spouse to meet both his needs and
the needs of the spouse seeking support 9. The conduct of the parties
during the marriage 10. And any other relevant factors.
The award of alimony terminates upon the remarriage of the recipient
spouse or that spouse’s death. MSA 518.551
Distribution of property Minnesota is an equitable distribution state.
This means that the court will divide the marital property between the
parties as it deems equitable and just, after setting aside to each spouse
the separate property of each. Factors the court considers in dividing the
property between the parties include: 1. The economic circumstances of the
parties at the time of the division of property 2. The contribution of
each spouse to the marital estate 3. The value of the non-marital property
set apart to each spouse 4. The conduct of the parties during the
marriage, and 5. Custodial arrangements for minor children. MSA 518.58
Child custody Minnesota courts will decide the issue of custody based
upon the best interests of the child. A partial list of factors the court
will consider in determining the best interests of the child include: The
wishes of the parents, the need of the child for a frequent and meaningful
relationship with both parents, the interaction and interrelationship of
the child with both the parents and any siblings, and the wishes of the
child. The court may interview the child in chambers to ascertain the
child’s preferences.
In addition to the above, if joint physical or legal custody is sought,
the court will also consider the ability of the parents to cooperate in
the rearing of the child, the methods for resolving disputes regarding the
child, whether it would be detrimental to the child if one parent were to
have sole authority over the child’s upbringing, and whether there has
been instances of domestic abuse between the parents. No preference will
be given to either parent in determining custody based upon the parent’s
age, sex or financial status, nor because of the age or sex of the child.
Each party shall have equal access to all medical, dental, school,
religious and other important records of the child. Each party shall keep
the other informed as to the name and address of the school the child is
attending and has the right to be informed of the child’s progress and
attend school and parent-teacher conferences. MSA 518.17
Child support In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal
separation, the court may order either or both parties to pay a reasonable
amount necessary for the support of a child of the marriage. Some of the
factors the court will consider in determining the amount of child support
include: the financial needs and resources of the child, the financial
resources and needs of the parents, the standard of living the child would
have enjoyed had the marriage not terminated, and the child’s physical
and legal custody arrangements. The Minnesota legislature has established
child support guidelines which establish the presumptive correct amount of
child support. Deviation from the guidelines require a specific finding by
the court that application of the guidelines would be unjust or
inappropriate and such findings must be included in the judgment. A
modification of a child support order may only be made upon a showing to
the court of a change in circumstances that would result in a change of
support from the existing amount by twenty percent (20%) or more and at
least a $50.00. MSA 518.551
Name change Upon request, either spouse may change his or her name as
long as the reason for the name change is not for fraudulent or misleading
purposes. MSA 518.27
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Edgewood Edina Effie Eitzen Elba Elbow Lake Eldred Elgin Elizabeth Elk
River Elko Elkton Ellendale Ellsburg Ellsworth Elmore Elrosa Ely Elysian
Embarrass Emily Emmons Erdahl Erhard Erie Erskine Esko Essig Etter Euclid
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Fairmont Faith Falcon Heights Falk Fall Lake Farden Faribault Farmington
Farris Farwell Fayal Federal Dam Felton Fergus Falls Fertile Fifty Lakes
Fillmore Fine Lakes Finland Finlayson Fisher Flensburg Flom Floodwood
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Hart Hartland Hassan Hastings Hatfield Haugen Havana Hawick Hawley
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Forest Highland Hill City Hillman Hills Hilltop Hinckley Hines Hitterdal
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Benton Lake Bronson Lake City Lake Crystal Lake Edwards Lake Elmo Lake
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Park Lake Shore Lake Wilson Lakefield Lakeland Lakeville Lamberton Lammers
Lamoille Lancaster Landfall Village Lanesboro Langor Lansing Laona Laporte
Lastrup Lauderdale Lavinia Lawler Lawrence Le Center Le Roy Le Sueur Leech
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Prairie Lewiston Lewisville Lexington Libby Liberty Lilydale Lima Lindford
Lindstrom Lino Lakes Linwood Lismore Litchfield Litomysl Little Canada
Little Falls Little Marais Little Sauk Little Swan Littlefork Lockhart
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Lonsdale Loretto Louisburg Lowry Lucan Lude Lutsen Luverne Lyle Lynd
Lynwood Mabel Macville Madelia Madison Madison Lake Magnolia Mahnomen
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Ridge Mapleton Maplewood Marble Marcell Margie Marietta Marine Marine on
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Odessa Odin Ogema Ogilvie Okabena Oklee Olga Olivia Onamia Onigum Orleans
Ormsby Orono Oronoco Orr Ortonville Osage Osakis Oslo Oslund Osseo
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Ruby Junction Runeberg Rush City Rushford Rushmore Russell Ruthton
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Croix Saint Croix Beach Saint Francis Saint Hilaire Saint James Saint
Joseph Saint Leo Saint Louis Park Saint Martin Saint Marys Point Saint
Michael Saint Paul Saint Paul BMC Saint Paul Park Saint Peter Saint
Stephen Saint Vincent Salo Salol Sanborn Sand Lake Sandstone Sandy
Santiago Saratoga Sargeant Sartell Sauk Centre Sauk Rapids Saum Savage
Savannah Sawyer Scandia Scanlon Schley Schroeder Seaforth Searles Sebeka
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Shevlin Shingobee Shooks Shoreview Shorewood Shotley Shovel Lake Side Lake
Silica Silver Bay Silver Creek Silver Lake Sinclair Skelton Skime Slater
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Haven South International Falls South Rushford South Saint Paul Spalding
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Spring Park Spring Valley Springfield Squaw Lake Stacy Stanchfield
Stanford Stanton Staples Starbuck Steen Stephen Stewart Stewartville
Stillwater Stockton Stokes Stoney Brook Storden Strandquist Strathcona
Stuntz Sturgeon Lake Sugar Bush Summit Sunburg Sunfish Lake Sunrise Svea
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Theilman Thief River Falls Thomastown Thunder Lake Tintah Todd Tofte Togo
Toimi Toivola Tonka Bay Tower Tr Falls Tracy Trail Trelipe Trimont
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Woodbury Woodland Woodrow Woodstock Workman Worthington Wrenshall Wright
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