• Minnesota Dissolution of Marriage Lawyer - Dissolution of marriage and divorce have the same meaning.  The change in terms is a result of the adoption of the no-fault divorce act.  As a part of the act, all grounds and defenses to a divorce in Minnesota were abolished.  The only ground that exists for a divorce is an “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship.”  Only one of the parties needs to allege that the marriage is broken.

• Minnesota Legal Separation Lawyer - Legal Separation is a court determination of the rights and responsibilities of the parties to a marriage relationship.  Legally separated parties are still married and are not entitled to remarry.  The process for obtaining a legal separation are identical to that of a divorce.  Typically, parties seek legal separation when religious beliefs do not allow for divorce.  Should one of the parties later decide to divorce, a new action must be commenced.

• Minnesota Annulment - See Voidable Marriages

• Minnesota Cohabitation Agreements - As a result of public policy in favor of marriage, Minnesota has adopted anti-palimony claims.  Palimony is a combination of pal and alimony. In Minnesota, courts are without authority to hear claims between men and women living together out of wedlock in contemplation of sexual relations, when no written contract exists.  If it can be shown that the claim is not based solely in contemplation of sexual relations, a court can grant relief based on equity.