What is a High Conflict Divorce in Minnesota?
Individuals facing high-conflict family law matters and/or divorce endure an overwhelming drawn-out legal battle. High-conflict divorce involves an uncooperative or manipulative ex-spouse, who contributes to prolonged disputes and significant stress, dragging out the process and complicating every aspect of life. Each court appearance can feel like a battleground, where every disagreement escalates tensions and causes further emotional turmoil. Common issues experienced may include custody disputes, financial disagreements over assets and liabilities, and the challenge of co-parenting amidst animosity.
High Conflict Financial Issues
Attempt to hide assets or income for the purpose of reducing equitable property settlements, spousal maintenance (alimony) or child support obligations.
Refusal or lengthy and prolonged delay in providing timely financial disclosures (discovery), resulting in undue delay in the divorce process and extensive litigation toward compliance.
Unwillingness to work through Alternative Dispute Resolution methods such as Financial Early Neutral Evaluation or mediation in a meaningful manner toward resolution of settling on a balance sheet, comprehensive equalizer payment, and spousal maintenance.
Dissipation of marital assets, such as reckless spending, transferring funds to third parties, damage to property to reduce its value, withholding payment toward loans securitized by assets, or selling assets without disclosure, etc.
Non-payment of temporary child support or spousal maintenance during the dissolution, requiring expensive legal action toward enforcement.
High Conflict Custody and Parenting Time Includes:
Disregard for the best interest of the child(ren) by failing to provide for the child’s developmental, emotional, cultural, spiritual, physical, mental, and other needs first in favor of their own desires.
Attempted control of the court process through frequent and unsubstantiated requests for expanded or limited custody of the minor child(ren) and parenting time.
Attempts to limit or block parenting time.
Lengthy messages incorporating derogatory, belittling, coercive, inflammatory language geared to wear down, annoy, distract from relevant issues, or completely ignore requests made by the other parent.
Repeated violation of court-ordered custody and parenting time orders, requiring legal intervention.
Repetitive Litigation:
Numerous motions filed over a short time frame over the same issues framed differently. Such filings may become excessive or frivolous.
Constant threats of legal action without merit to maintain control over the other party.
Failure to comply with court orders, requiring contempt motions or enforcement proceedings.
Use of the legal system as a means of ongoing abuse, coercion, or intimidation.
Emotional and Psychological Toll:
Constant fear for safety and well-being for oneself and the child(ren).
Living in a state of prolonged stress and anxiety due to ongoing conflict.
Surviving physical abuse, emotional abuse, or manipulation designed to control and exhaust a party’s resources preventing the voice of concerns from being heard.
Difficulty moving forward due to never-ending legal battles.
How an Experienced High-Conflict Family Law Attorney Can Help:
At the Law Office of Tiffany Dust, we are committed to providing strategic legal counsel designed to protect your rights and minimize the impact of contentious proceedings. We have extensive experience handling high-conflict cases. As such, we recognize the unique legal and emotional challenges these matters present. High-conflict family law cases and divorces often require significant resources to restrain ongoing attempts by the opposing party to exert undue power and control. Our legal team brings a wealth of experience in high conflict and complex custody/parenting time litigation, high-asset property division, and addressing manipulative tactics from ex-spouses.
We can:
Advocate for Child Custody and Parenting Time: We carefully construct case narratives by leveraging relevant statutes and legal precedents in support of goals and objectives in accordance with the Best Interests of the Children Factors as Outlined in Minnesota under Statute 518.
Uncover Hidden Assets and Secure Equitable Distribution: We engage in investigative strategies to identify assets and ensure fair property division in accordance with Minnesota Law.
Present a Strong, Legally Grounded Case: We carefully construct narratives by leveraging relevant statutes and legal precedents.
If you are struggling with a high-conflict divorce or wish to seek further guidance, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
In addition to addressing the complexities of high-conflict divorce, our firm offers a breadth of expertise in other areas of family law to support your evolving needs. Whether you require guidance with post-divorce modifications, enforcement of court orders, or assistance with sensitive situations such as child support adjustments and spousal maintenance, our team is dedicated to navigating each issue with diligence and care. We recognize that each family’s circumstances are unique and can change over time, which is why we remain committed to providing personalized strategies that evolve alongside your situation. If your current needs differ, please explore our comprehensive family law services to find the right solution for you.
If your current needs differ, please explore our comprehensive family law services to find the right solution for you.
Below is a list of additional divorce and family law matters we handle: