Great place for women to learn about information and resources for facing divorce.
Here’s a link to learn more about LifeCraft and Daisy Camp.
LifeCraft, Daisy Camp Information Provided in Kare11 Video
February 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Educational Classes · Video
Tagged: Co-Parenting/Coparenting, Collaborative Practice, Dispute Resolution/Lowering Conflict, Division of Assets and Debts, Divorce & Separation, Divorce Coach, Mediation
New Video Online Explaining Juvenile and Child Protection Court
February 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
There is a new 27 minute video online titled “In the Best Interests of Your Child” on the Minnesota State Court website that provides a pretty good introduction and overview of Juvenile Court and Child In Need of Protection or Services Court. Click here for a link to the video.
Here’s an overview of the video from the Minnesota State Court Children’s Justice Initiative page:
“In the Best Interests of Your Child” is an orientation to juvenile court and child protection proceedings. The purpose of the video is to:
•Identify the people who will be involved in the child protection case and who will be in the courtroom (e.g., judge, court reporter, court attendant, county attorney, social worker, guardian ad litem, attorneys, etc.);
•Explain the parent’s legal rights and responsibilities;
•Describe the juvenile court process, including the types of hearings (e.g., EPC, Admit/Deny, Disposition, Review, Permanency) that the parent may be required to attend and what happens at a typical hearing;
•Explain how the juvenile court process may affect the parent and the child and what will happen after court; and
•Emphasize that the child’s best interests are at stake and timely resolution of the problems causing risk of harm to the child is important to the healthy development of the child.
The video has been provided to all court administrators, county social services agencies, GAL Program Managers and Coordinators, and all attorneys representing parents in child protection cases. In addition to this English version of the video, the CJI is in the process of translating the video into Spanish, Hmong, Lao, and Somali, and those versions will be distributed later by early Summer 2010.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Video
Tagged: Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS)
Daisy Camp and DayTrooper Seminars: A Divorce Resource for Women
January 25, 2010 · 1 Comment
Daisy Camp and DayTrooper Seminars: A Divorce Resource for Women
LifeCraft, “Charting your course before, during, and after divorce,” was
formed to provide resources for women going through divorce transition.
Sherry Bronson recently acquired the original Daisy Camp, a weekend retreat
founded by Jennifer Morris to educate women in the divorce process, and has
expanded the model.
As the visionary behind the LifeCraft concept, Sherry has experienced the
devastation of divorce in her own life more than once. “It is a time in your
life when you are least equipped mentally and emotionally to make major
decisions that will influence you and your children for many years to come.
These seminars and retreats offer women the knowledge, encouragement, and
support they so desperately need to make informed decisions during this
traumatic time.”
Women attending a LifeCraft event will hear from presenters who are the
cream of the professional crop including attorneys, a
licensed psychologist and family/child specialist, a certified financial
planner, real estate and mortgage professionals, a career consultant, and a
grief therapist to mention a few. But the most popular speakers are always
women who survived divorce, successfully moved on with their lives, and have
returned to tell their stories.
*Life*Craft events are designed to educate, encourage, and support women
through the divorce process. In addition to the seminars, women can attend
Discovery Groups and Freedom Getaways. Discovery Groups offer additional
information and support in specific areas, Freedom Getaways are
opportunities for women to travel together for fun, healing and growth.
These are available to all women who are at major crossroads in their lives
whether or not they have attended a *Life*Craft seminar.
The next Daisy Camp Weekend Retreat is scheduled for February 5-7. They are using a new location, the Residence Inn Marriott, 3400 Edinborough Way, Edina, MN. For more information and to register for a seminar, visit the *Life*Craft website at
→ 1 CommentCategories: Educational Classes
Tagged: Child Support, Co-Parenting/Coparenting, Collaborative Practice, Dispute Resolution/Lowering Conflict, Division of Assets and Debts, Divorce & Separation, Mediation
Leaving Your Kids to Your Parents Instead of Your Ex
January 7, 2010 · Leave a Comment
In my work with divorce clients, I’ve had several people ask whether in their will they could leave their kids to their parents rather than have their kids go solely to their ex (the children’s other parent). Their reasoning goes something like this: I think my ex is a bad person (usually because they cheated and therefore they can’t be trusted and/or must be wholly immoral) and therefore why should I trust them to take care of the children.
While I understand this line of thinking, sorry, it doesn’t work that way. Your ex is going to get the kids if you die unless for some reason a court decides that your ex is unfit to be a parent, which is pretty difficult to prove. I represent people who are accused of being incompetent to parent and, let me tell you, the standard is ridiculously low. The courts don’t take away parental rights unless there is an obvious and usually repeated reason.
Now, if you and your ex die at the same time, say in a car accident, then your will naming your parents to care for your children would be helpful. But, how likely is it that you and your ex are together in the same car or plane or boat or whatever? That’s the question. It’s not likely.
On the upside, Minnesota law does allow grandparents to petition the court for grandparent parenting time in the case that their child (the parent of their grandchildren) dies while the grandchildren are minors. See Minnesota Statute 257C.08, which provides that the court will consider the best interests of the children (and think, the court is likely to encourage continued contact with grandparents). The court will consider the contact between the grandparents and the children before the death in making it’s decision. Of course, the visitation cannot interfere with the still-living parent and the children, but as long as the contact is reasonable, I doubt grandparent visitation would be deemed by the court to be interfering with with the parent-child relationship.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Simply Helpful Information
Tagged: Wills and Estate Planning
Mortgage Mistakes in Divorce
December 30, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Carl Arnold, Minnesota lawyer and mediator, and Mitch Irwin, who is a mortgage banker that focuses on mortgages in divorce, recorded this video (see video below) about Mortgage Mistakes in Divorce.
Learn more about Mitch Irwin and mortgages in divorce at www.mitchirwin.com. You can reach him directly at mitchell.irwin@fa-bank.net.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Uncategorized
3 Mortgage Issues to Consider in Divorce
December 20, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Divorce lawyer and mediator Carl Arnold recently sat down with Mitch Irwin, who is a mortgage banker that focuses on mortgages in divorce, and recorded this video (see video below) about the 3 Main Mortgage Issues to Consider in Divorce.
Learn more about Mitch Irwin and mortgages in divorce at www.mitchirwin.com. You can reach him directly at mitchell.irwin@fa-bank.net.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Video
Tagged: Mortgages
Divorce and Mortgages: When to Seek Mortgage Advice (with Mitch Irwin, Mortgage Banker)
November 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Mitch Irwin
Learn more about Mitch Irwin and mortgages in divorce at www.mitchirwin.com. You can reach him directly at mitchell.irwin@fa-bank.net.
Here’s a sample from his website:
I specialize in helping families transition one household into two. I participate in and support organizations that promote fair and collaborative divorce. I also complete over 30+ hours of continuing legal education per year to stay on top of the industry issues. That is why I can effectively help answer questions like:
•Can I afford to keep the house based on my new income?
•Will I be able to afford a home close to my children?
•Was my credit bruised throughout this process?
•How do I establish individual credit and close joint accounts?
•What is the best way to compensate the vacating spouse?
•Is a refinance necessary to keep the house in my name only?
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Video · Websites
Tagged: Mortgages
Free Family Law Seminar
November 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Christine Ubben submitted the following seminar for publication on Always Family Center. Thanks Christine! 
FREE FAMILY LAW SEMINAR
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER IF DIVORCE IS IMMINENT
Sponsored by The Law Office of Diane Kaer, Attorney &
Stacey Brown, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones
Date: November 9, 2009
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Location: 3420 155th Street West, Suite 103
Rosemount, MN 55068
If you are contemplating divorce this seminar is a must! Gather preliminary information about the process and what to expect. Learn about some of the resources available if you cannot afford representation. Find out what information you should be prepared to provide to get started. See how the changes in our economy might impact important decisions you will be faced with, and more….
THERE IS NO COST TO ATTEND!!
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Refreshments provided
To Register Contact:
Diane Kaer
(651) 322-9244 or diane@kaerlaw.com
or
Stacey Brown
(651) 322-2905 or stacey.brown@edwardjones.com
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Educational Classes
Tagged: Divorce & Separation
Minnesota divorce lawyer and family mediator Carl Arnold created and manages Always Family Center as a free resource for people that are dealing with family conflict or facing divorce, parenting time, child support and related issues. Mr. Arnold is trained and experienced in mediation and collaborative divorce and enjoys offering these great alternatives to clients. He offers a free initial consultation to help you understand your options. He meets with clients in Hennepin, Dakota, Rice, Le Sueur, Steele and Goodhue Counties.
Schedule your appointment by calling 507-581-7242 or by emailing arnoldlawandmediation
@gmail.com.
