Couples across Minnesota are finding it may take longer to get divorced through litigation than they might have expected, due largely to backlogs in the court system. As a result, self-help services throughout the state have become more common in recent years.
District courts are working hard to meet the demand for these services, as many divorcees are seeking do-it-yourself divorces in an effort to save money. This has involved opening more legal clinics and district courts collaborating more closely with law libraries and state and local bar associations.
In the 10th Judicial District of Minnesota, which covers eight counties (Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington and Wright), attorneys rotate among the various self-help centers that have opened up since 2015. The hope is that people seeking DIY divorces will be able to get in-person assistance.
One of the problems, however, with DIY divorces is that mistakes are often made in the paperwork that gets filed with the court. These mistakes can be costly to fix down the road and in some situations, are unable to be fixed once discovered. Even if utilizing the DIY divorce paperwork available through the Minnesota courts system, it may be in your interests to hire an attorney to review the paperwork with you before it is filed with the court.
Minnesota keeps a close eye on divorce cases
The DIY divorce has become increasingly common, especially here in Minnesota. According to state data, about 80 percent of all civil cases that occurred in the state in 2015 (divorce and otherwise) involved people representing themselves. This blows away any other state in America — the second-highest was Indiana, at 14 percent.
In 2016, staff attorneys at these DIY law centers assisted individuals with a total of 4,391 legal matters. Family law issues made up a significant percentage of these cases.
While it is possible to move through the divorce process on your own, there is no replacement for the skill and experience a divorce attorney delivers to you. To help ensure you get the best possible outcome in your case, work with a dedicated Minnesota family law attorney right away.
