How Does Spousal Support Work in MN
Spousal support (also called alimony) is one of the most important issues to settle during a divorce. It is not awarded in all divorce cases – it is used when one spouse cannot meet his/her needs without financial assistance. It is not a punishment but the court recognizes that there are instances in which one spouse is financially dependent on the other at the time of the divorce. This financial inequity or earning discrepancy means that the spouse that is less well-off is entitled to receive financial support to help him/her establish their life after the divorce. Johnson Mediation specializes in helping couples find ways to solve issues related to their divorce. If you live in Minnesota, our team can help you navigate the process of determining whether spousal support is necessary in your case, without a long and expensive court battle.
Unmarried couples who share children can make their own agreements for important issues such as child support, child custody and visitation. Whether you are married or not, when children are involved, it is critically important to make sure that plans are in place that put your kids’ well-being first. Communication during a separation is very often strained, so investing in mediation sessions may be a productive way to handle many issues related to your split – including how to handle child support agreements. Johnson Mediation focuses on helping families through these difficult transitions by facilitating positive and productive communication that result in workable solutions for all involved.
Because you may not have ever expected to be in the midst of a divorce, you may never have given much thought to the various options for settling a divorce. We are all aware of the statistic that approximately 50% of marriages end in divorce, but when we said our vows and pondered a future, divorce was simply not in the picture. So, if you have found yourself in a situation in which divorce looks like your reality, you might need some help and support to navigate the process.
Most divorcing couples assume that disputes over divorces must be decided in Court by a Judge, but family disputes are ideally settled between family members before they reach a courtroom. Mediation settlements are better than going to court for many reasons. Mediation settlements are likely to be more satisfactory in the long run because the solution is mutually-agreeable, and has been proven to be more satisfactory in past surveys in the United States. The mediator can model and facilitate better communication that may continue after mediation, the lines of communication are extremely important and need to continue to be open if you have children together. Attorneys often can be very helpful in settling disputes out of court. But when they are in court the decision process is out of the best interest of the couple and is ultimately decided by a judge after sometimes a lethal fight. When children are involved with divorce and separation, the stakes are even higher. Mediation allows control to remain in the hands of the parents, not the Court.
The divorce process can cause a serious financial and emotional strain on both you and your divorcing spouse. The financial cost for a divorce that is settled in the court system can be upwards of $15,000-$20,000 in the state of Minnesota. A significant portion of this cost is spent on attorneys and legal fees. You can actually settle your divorce for less. Divorce mediation offers a much less expensive way to settle the terms of your divorce. Using a mediator generally costs a fraction of the cost and can also be less of an emotional strain on your family. Johnson Mediation offers 
