Washington County, MN Lawyers Provide Comprehensive Representation in All Kinds of Family Law Cases

Finding solutions for families throughout St. Paul, Stillwater, Dakota County, Burnsville, Eagan and Woodbury, MN

At Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A., we understand the rough times families face when divorce, custody battles or other family problems are looming. We take pride in helping people change their circumstances and find stability again. Our no-nonsense approach means we get right to the point without wasting your precious time. We provide answers to your legal questions and guidance through crises, so you can make the right decisions for yourself and your family.

Helping families in a wide variety of cases

We offer intelligent, thorough and effective legal representation in a variety of family law matters:

• Divorce — If your marriage has reached a point where it can’t be saved, or if your spouse has made that decision for you, we can help. We provide comprehensive divorce representation, whether you are the petitioner or the respondent in an existing case or looking to head off a legal battle. We explain how to avoid costly litigation, while preparing for trial if necessary.
• Mediation — Mediation is a method of resolving disputes out of court. Even if your case has already been filed, you may be able to craft an agreement of your own without leaving your fate and that of your children to a court. Mediation is required in most family law casesand we advocate for our clients through the mediation process.
• Division of assets — Deciding how to divide marital assets is often a point of impasse for couples. If you can’t come to an agreement about the division of assets, the court will divide them. We have extensive experience in complicated asset division cases. If you or your spouse has a high net worth, you need one of our experienced divorce lawyers on your side to protect your interests.
• Alimony — Alimony, or spousal support, is a hotly contested issue in many high-net-worth divorces, but it can be a source of conflict for any couple. If you need to pursue or challenge an alimony claim, consult a smart, aggressive divorce attorney to help you build a solid case from the start.
• Child custody — Your child custody arrangement is likely to be the most important aspect of your divorce. If worrying about who’s going to get custody is keeping you up at night, choose an attorney who can help put your mind at ease. Courts consider a host of factors in determining child custody, and your attorney should prepare the appropriate evidence to support your claim.
• Child support — Children are entitled to be supported by their parents, and courts typically enforce this right by ordering the noncustodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent. This is not always the rule, however, in cases of near-equal parenting time or other exceptional factors. A knowledgeable family law attorney can explain the child support laws and help you pursue or challenge a claim for child support.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements — Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are not just for the wealthy. Anyone who has assets to protect should consider a marital agreement. For example, a business owner who has worked for years to build a company may want to protect it in the event of divorce.
• Paternity — When an unmarried couple has a baby, the father is not automatically deemed to be the father. If the relationship goes south, the father may find that he has no rights in connection with his child without an adjudication of paternity. Similarly, if an unmarried parent is seeking child support, paternity must first be established. If you are seeking child support or being sued for child support, you should contact an experienced lawyer to discuss the issues surrounding paternity.
• Grandparents’ rights — When your child’s divorce or death cuts off your access to your grandchildren, the impact on both you and the children can be devastating. Minnesota law gives grandparents rights to visitation with their grandchildren in limited circumstances. If you need a court’s help to maintain your relationship with your grandchild, get in touch with one of our family law attorneys.

Contact our Oakdale family law attorneys for a free consultation today

Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. has an office in Oakdale, and serves clients throughout Minnesota, including in the Washington County, Dakota County, Burnsville, Eagan Woodbury, MN areas. Let us help you resolve your family law dispute and find stability. Contact us online, or call us at 651-760-7524. Parking is free, and we offer flexible scheduling.