Family Law Attorneys in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis divorces and custody cases are heard in Hennepin County family court, and dividing property and setting parenting time takes careful work. A Minnesota-licensed family law attorney serving Minneapolis will review your case for free.

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How we match your Minneapolis family law case

When you submit a Minneapolis family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Minnesota law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Minnesota who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Family Law cases in Minneapolis

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Divorce and custody cases in Minneapolis frequently involve parents living on opposite sides of the river, one in the city and the other in St. Paul, Edina, or Minnetonka, which makes parenting schedules and school choices central. Hennepin County family court handles these matters, and Minnesota’s equitable-division and best-interest rules guide the outcomes, with mediation common. DearLegal matches you with a Minnesota-licensed attorney who handles family law cases in Minneapolis, and your first review is free.

Divorce and custody cases for Minneapolis residents are heard in Hennepin County family court.
Parents split between Minneapolis and St. Paul or the western suburbs need cross-county parenting plans.
Hennepin County handles more family cases than any other Minnesota county, and local practice matters.

Minnesota family law rules at a glance

Minneapolis cases run under Minnesota law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Minnesota page.

Read the full Minnesota family law guide →

Residency Requirement: 180 days
180 days in Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 518.07)
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution with presumption of equal division (Minn. Stat. § 518.58)
Custody Standard: Best interests
Best interests with 12 factors (Minn. Stat. § 518.17, as amended 2015)
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model — Minn. Stat. § 518A.34 (PICS — Parental Income for Child Support)
Spousal Support Framework: Maintenance
Maintenance under Minn. Stat. § 518.552 — temporary or permanent; 2024 reform made temporary maintenance presumptive
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Minneapolis family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Minnesota · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Minnesota are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Minnesota are not handled on contingency. Minnesota Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Minnesota family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Minn. Stat. § 518.14.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Minneapolis family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Minnesota attorney will review it for free.

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In Hennepin County family court, as long as Minnesota’s residency requirement is met. The process begins with a petition and financial disclosures, and many cases resolve through mediation or negotiated agreements. An attorney can explain the timeline and what to expect at each step.

Minnesota courts weigh the child’s best interests using a list of factors, including each parent’s involvement, stability, and the child’s needs. Both legal and physical custody are decided. When parents live in different cities, a practical schedule proposal helps. An attorney can help build a plan that works.

Minnesota divides marital property equitably, which usually means fairly rather than strictly equal, taking into account each spouse’s contributions and circumstances. Property owned before marriage or inherited is generally separate. An attorney helps value assets, including homes and retirement accounts, and negotiate a fair split.

Uncontested divorces in Minnesota typically finalize 60–120 days after filing. Contested cases generally take 9–18 months. Minnesota has no statutory waiting period from filing to decree, but scheduling and procedure (Initial Case Management Conference, ENE, etc.) drive the timeline.

Yes — Minnesota is a pure no-fault state. The only ground for dissolution is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship under Minn. Stat. § 518.06. Fault is not considered for divorce or property division.