Family Law Resources

Thank you volunteering in the area of family law!

VLN offers many resources to support its family law volunteers. If you have questions about any of the resources available on this page or have a question about your family law case, please contact Tom at (612) 752-6655.

On this page you will find:

Help On Your Pro Bono Case

Administrative Support: VLN has conference rooms, letterhead, and envelopes available for our volunteers. VLN can also help get orders signed at Family Court. Please call VLN at (612) 752-6655 to inquire about any of our resouces!

Attorney Mentors: Experienced family law attorneys are available to provide one-on-one consultations on your VLN case. Please call VLN at (612) 752-6655 for more information or to request a mentor. Volunteer law student Sarah Pollex assists a client with a divorce form.

Law Students: Need help on your pro bono case? Minnesota Justice Foundation law students can help! Law students can perform WestLaw research, draft pleadings, interview clients, investigate facts, and even appear in court with supervision. Please contact Tom at 612-752-6655 for more information or to request student assistance.

Paralegals: Paralegals are available to assist you on your family law case. Paralegals can draft pleadings, investigate facts, and assist at trial. Please contact Tom at 612-752-6655 for more information or to request paralegal assistance.

Combined Maritial Termination Agreement and Judgment & Decree

Beginning January 1, 2007, Rule 308.04 was added to the Minnesota Rules of Practice allowing the use of a Joint Marital Termination Agreement and Judgment & Decree in most family law cases. The use of the joint document can reduce the amount of documents prepared and minimize the chance of a discrepancy between the agreement and the final decree. Note that the joint document is a part of the public record and confidential information contained in the agreement should be filed separately pursuant to Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 11 and Rule 308.03.

Download a copy of a sample Joint Marital Termination Agreement and Judgment & Decree here. Rule 308.04 is provided below:

Rule 308.04. Joint Marital Agreement and Decree

The parties to any proceeding may use a combined agreement and judgment and decree for marriage dissolution. A judgment and decree which is subscribed to by each party before a notary public and contains a final conclusion of law with words to the effect that “the parties agree that the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law incorporate the complete and full Marital Termination Agreement” shall, upon approval and entry by the court, constitute an agreement and judgment and decree for marriage dissolution for all purposes.

Service of Process

VLN - Sample Letter to the Sheriff

Minn Stats. 518.11 Service; alternate service; publication

Minn Stats. 518.09 Proceeding; how and where brought; venue

In Forma Pauperis

All clients represented by a VLN volunteer attorney should qualify for In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Status. IFP allows your client to receive free service through the Sheriff and file without paying fees. VLN staff can help you get an IFP order signed for your VLN pro bono case. In Hennepin County the Family Court Signing Judge is available M - F from 8:30 am - 9:30 am & 1:30 pp - 2:00 pm. Call 612-752-6675 for more information.

Statutes and Rules of Court

The following are commonly used family law statutes and court rules.

General Rules of Practice - Rules of Family Court

Marriage Dissolution - Chapter 518

Child Support - Chapter 518A

Third Party Custody - Chapter 257C

Domestic Abuse - Chapter 518B

In determining custody, the court must consider the best interests of the child. See 518.17: Custody and Support of Children on Judgment

For modification of custody cases, please see Minn Stat 518.18: Modification of Order

Forms

Volunteer Lawyers Network has forms available for its volunteer attorneys including many forms are specific for Hennepin County Family Court. Click here for a link to available forms. To request a CD containing VLN's library of forms or a particular form, contact Tom at 612-752-6655.

For approved state court forms, click here.

Dissolution Forms

Supporting Affidavit for Temporary Motion	Judgment and Decree Checklist	Service by Alternate Means - Affidavit
Affidavit of Default (alternate means)	Marital Termination Agreement	Service by Alternate Means - Order
Affidavit of Default (personal service)	Order to Show Cause	Letter to Sheriff
Confidential Information Form	Petition	Summons
Request for Production of Documents	Answer and Counter Petition	Summons - Real Property
Appendix A, 2007	Notice of Entry	Application for Temporary Relief
Education Class Letter	Notice of Review	Temporary Relief Motion
Notice to Public Authority	Prehearing Statement	Notice of Withdrawal of Counsel
IFP-1B Affidavit for Proceeding In Forma Pauperis	Sealed Information Form	Default Testimony Form
IFP-1C Order for Proceeding In Forma Pauperis	Admission of Service	Marital Dissolution Steps
Instruction Guide for Proceeding In Forma Pauperis	Affidavit of Personal Service	Domestice Relations Information Form
Judgment & Decree	Affidavit of Service by Mail

Third Party Custody Forms

Admission of Service	Notice Motion Affidavit Temp Custody
Affidavit of Default, Notice of Intention to Proceed	Notice to Public Authority
Affidavit of Default, Stip	Third Party FOF, COL, OFJ, and J&D
Affidavit of Petitioner in Support of Motion	Third Party Summons and Petition
Certificate of Representation	Third Party Custody Checklist