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Many Minnesotans encounter the judicial system as a result of a divorce or custody case, and family law is the third most common topic for questions at the State Law Library. In this issue, we're providing an overview of some of our favorite Minnesota family law resources.
Resources for Representing Yourself
There are several booklets on family law published by Legal Services State Support that can assist anyone representing themselves in a family court case:
These booklets discuss topics in plain English and avoid legal jargon wherever possible. They are available online at the links above, and you can also access a print copy at the State Law Library.
For anyone representing themselves in a family court case, the Judicial Branch makes a variety of forms available on its website. You can also use Minnesota Guide & File to create the forms to start a divorce or an order for protection.
You can find more resources, including fact sheets and videos, on the State Law Library's subject guides for Divorce, Child Custody and Parenting Time, Child Support, and Domestic Abuse.
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Minnesota Practitioner Treatises
The Minnesota Family Law Practice Manual is one of our favorite practice guides for family law. It includes helpful summaries of the law on divorce, custody, parenting time, and adoption, and includes a number of practitioner forms. Best of all, this resource is available through the Lexis Digital Library as an e-book. If you would like to access this title through Lexis Digital Library, contact Ask a Librarian and we can set up an account for you.
The Minnesota Practice Series also has a family law volume. Family Law covers family court procedure and substantive issues, and also includes a selection of forms. This resource is available in print at the State Law Library or it can be accessed through Westlaw in the library. We may be able to email sections or forms within reason.
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The 2024 Legislative Session was another busy one in Minnesota and a number of new laws passed last spring took effect on August 1, 2024. You can read summaries of the new laws here:
A new CLE category has been introduced for all lawyers. Effective July 1, 2024, all lawyers must take one credit in the category “Mental Health/Substance Use (MH)” each reporting period. Lawyers will need to report one course in this new category starting in 2025. You can find more information about this new category in the Rules of the Board of Continuing Legal Education.
The State Law Library will be offering a CLE in the new Mental Health and Substance Use category on October 1. You can view our complete CLE schedule and register to attend sessions on our website: Continuing Legal Education / Minnesota State Law Library (mn.gov).
Can't attend a live session? Check out our library of on-demand CLE courses, including ethics and elimination of bias credits: Minnesota State Law Library On Demand CLE Videos / Minnesota State Law Library (mn.gov).
There have been a number of changes at the Minnesota Supreme Court lately. Justice G. Barry Anderson retired on May 10, 2024 after nearly 20 years on the state's highest court. Justice Margaret Chutich retired on July 31, 2024 after 8 years of service. Both justices also served on the Court of Appeals prior to their elevation to the Supreme Court. We wish them both the best in their retirement!
With these retirements, two new justices have joined the court: Associate Justice Sarah Hennesy and Associate Justice Theodora Gaïtas. You can learn more about Minnesota's Supreme Court Justices on our Biographies page: Supreme Court Justice Biographies / Minnesota State Law Library (mn.gov).
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