GENERAL INFORMATION ON DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW
Where can I get other information on divorce and related topics?
Where can I get forms to start a divorce?
Q. Where can I get other information on divorce and related topics?
Both the Hastings and Apple Valley branches of the Law Library have books, brochures, and videos about the divorce process, as well as child custody, parenting time (visitation), child support, maintenance (alimony), grandparents' rights, and property issues. Some are written for non-lawyers. These include:
- Divorce in Minnesota (book; both locations)
- Fathers' Rights (book; Apple Valley)
- Grandparents' Rights (book; both locations)
- Preparing for Divorce (free brochure; Apple Valley)
- Domestic Violence (free brochure; both locations)
Minnesota Courts Online Self-Help Center. This site has pages for the following:
- Divorce
- Child Custody & Parenting Time
- Child Support
- Paternity
- Adoption
- Annulment & Legal Separation
- Protection from Abuse
Court Forms: forms for many court proceedings can be found at http://www.mncourts.gov/default.aspx?page=513
DIVORCE
Q. Where can I get forms to start a divorce?
A. You can get them three ways:
- On the internet, go to Choose Your Divorce Forms. Click on Forms to Start the Divorce. Read about the four kinds of divorces and pick the one that applies to you. Click on the link, which will take you to a "Packet" of forms or use the online document assembly tool (I-CAN). Print/download all forms grouped in the "Packet."
- In any Dakota Public Library, you can buy the packet for "Divorce with Children" or "Divorce without Children" at the Check-Out Desk. The Divorce with Children packet costs $15.00. The Divorce without Children packet costs $12.00. You can get the forms Summary Dissolution, Joint Divorce with Children, or Joint Divorce without Children from the internet yourself. For help filling out the forms, watch "How to Start a Divorce in Minnesota" (click the link for online streaming video).
- Q. I've been served with divorce papers. Where can I get forms to respond?
A. Go to Choose Your Divorce Forms and click Forms to Respond to Divorce. Read the information there to decide the type of divorce you are involved in. Then click the link for your type of divorce, which will take you to a "Packet" of forms. Print/download all forms grouped in the "Packet."
Q. Where can I get a copy of my divorce decree?
A. Go to Divorce Decree. Follow the instructions for Dakota County divorces.
Q. I was told I should consider mediation to resolve issues with my spouse during our divorce. What is that?
A. The Law Library publishes a brochure on Divorce Mediation that you can read or print out. We also have several books that go into more detail on how mediation works.
Q. My ex and I agree that we want to change some terms of our divorce decree. Where can I get forms to do that?
A. Go to First District Forms. Scroll down and click on "Amended Judgment and Decree."
Q. My ex isn’t paying the spousal maintenance (alimony) ordered by the court. Where can I get forms to docket the maintenance judgment?
A. Go to First District Forms. Scroll down to "Instruction Guide for Notice of Entry and Docketing of Maintenance Judgment" and "Affidavit of Default of Maintenance Judgment" and print/download both documents.
Q. I need to change the amount of maintenance I receive/pay. Are there forms to help me?
A. Go to Spousal Support. Scroll down to the link for Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Spousal Maintenance and print/download all the forms on that page. To respond to a motion, click the link for Response to Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Spousal
Maintenance.
CHILD CUSTODY AND PARENTING TIME
Q. Where can I get information on child custody and parenting time (visitation)?
A. Several places.
- Go to Child Custody and Parenting Time. Read "Basics on Child Custody &Parenting Time."
- Go to "A Parental Guide to Making Child-Focused Parenting Time Decisions."
- For forms, go to "Forms - Child Custody & Parenting Time." Choose the forms you need:
- Establish Custody & Parenting Time
- Respond to Request to Establish Custody & Parenting Time
- Request to Change Custody & Parenting Time
- Response to Request to Change Custody & Parenting Time
- Parenting Time Problem
- If you are making or responding to a motion, watch the streaming video "How to File a Motion in Family Court." (23 minutes)
THIRD-PARTY (GRANDPARENTS OR OTHERS) CUSTODY
Q. My grandchild/stepchild/boyfriend's child lives with me. I need to have custody of transferred to me so I can enroll the child in school, get access to medical records, etc. The child's parent agrees to the custody change. How do I do it?
There are several options. The Law Library publishes a pamphlet on Parental/Guardian Custody. It describes several of the options and gives you citations to the Minnesota statutes that create the different options.
Q. I don't think my grandchild/niece/ex-boyfriend's child is safe living with the parent. I want custody transferred to me but the parent won't agree. How can I get custody changed to me?
You will need to make a motion asking the court to change custody. Go to Motions.
CHILD SUPPORT
Q. I need information on child support.
There are several sources for information.
- Go to Child Support. Read "Basics about Child Support," "Laws, Rules and More Resources," and "Self-Help Services in Your Local Court."
- For forms, click the link on that page for "Forms - Child Support." Read the information there, then click "Get Forms for Child Support." Choose the packet of forms that applies to you.
- For a more detailed description of the new law, go to Minnesota's Child Support Laws: An Overview, written by the Minnesota House of Representatives' research arm.
Q. My ex isn’t paying the child support ordered by the court. Where can I get forms to docket the child support judgment?
A. Go to First District Forms. Scroll down to "Instruction Guide for Docketing of Child Support Judgments" and "Child Support Docket Form" and print/download both documents.
Q. I need to change the amount of child support I receive/pay. Are there forms to help me?
A. Go to Spousal Support. Scroll down to the link for Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Spousal Maintenance and print/download all the forms on that page. To respond to a motion, click the link for Response to Motion to Modify Child Support and/or Spousal
Maintenance.