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Property Division

Helping You Create Your Next Chapter

Minnesota Property Division Attorneys

Helping You Protect Your Assets and Secure Your Future

During a divorce, the court determines how both parties should divide their marital assets and debts. Needless to say, how the court handles the division of assets and liabilities in your case can change your life.

At Johnson/Turner Legal, we don’t take your trust for granted. We assign a team consisting of an experienced Minnesota property division lawyer, two paralegals, a client engagement specialist, and a life coach to every case, so you get the advice you need to tackle your case (and your life) with confidence.

We know that fees are a concern for many clients. That’s why we use a flat-fee pricing model so you know up-front how much our services cost. Never worry about hidden fees again—at Johnson/Turner Legal, you pay for our services, not our time. Just the way it should be.

Set up a consultation with our firm and get the help you deserve. Contact us online or give us a call at (320) 299-4249!

How Does Property Division Work in Minnesota?

As an equitable distribution state, Minnesota handles property division differently than many states. In Minnesota, all assets and debts acquired during your marriage are considered “marital property” by the court. The only exceptions are gifts or inheritances explicitly awarded to one party as “separate property.”

Equitable Distribution of Marital Property in MN

The court takes an inventory of all marital property and then divides that property “equitably” between the two parties. An “equitable” division of property does not mean that marital property gets divided 50/50 between both parties. Instead, the court tries to divide assets and debts in a way that enables both parties to maintain a good quality of life post-divorce. For example, if the parents share children, and one parent gets sole custody, the court might award the custodial parent the entirety of the marital house to assist with childcare. During the property division process, neither party can take any actions that affect the value of assets (such as selling off or damaging an asset).

How Can I Prepare for Property Division?

If you’re getting ready to move forward with a property division case, here are some things you can do to get ready:
  • Inventory your assets and liabilities. During the property division process, the court will ask both you and your soon-to-be-ex to provide an exhaustive list of every asset and liability you possess. From your rug to your car, you need to catalog all your property. The same goes for financial and business assets. Your income, investments, bank accounts, tax returns, stocks, etc. should all be thoroughly documented. Gathering this information ahead of time helps make the process less arduous. Omitting any assets can result in legal penalties, so getting a head start helps you ensure that you don’t accidentally hide any assets or liabilities from the court.
  • Value your property. A certified public accountant (CPA) specializing in asset valuation can help you determine how much your assets are worth. Knowing their value ahead of time can help you brace for the financial impact of potentially losing half or more of your marital assets.
  • Work with your attorney to determine what assets might be separate property vs. marital property. As we mentioned before, almost all assets acquired during your marriage will be considered “marital assets” by Minnesota courts. However, documents such as prenups or postnuptial agreements can play a huge role in the property division process. You should work with your attorney to see if you can qualify certain assets as separate property, making them exempt from the division of assets and debts.
  • Work with your attorney to draft your ideal property division settlement. The court doesn’t necessarily have to decide your case—if both parties agree on how to distribute assets and liabilities, you can settle out of court. Work with your attorney to begin drafting a potential property division settlement to showcase to the other party. A settlement can be a less stressful, more cost-effective way of handling the property division process. A settlement also helps both parties reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, instead of leaving your assets and liabilities in the hands of the court for distribution.

Protect Your Separate Property – Call Johnson/Turner Legal

At Johnson/Turner Legal, we can help you understand the property division process more thoroughly and face your case with confidence.

If you aren’t sure you are ready, take our divorce assessment now! – contact us online or via phone at (320) 299-4249.

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Our employees are the key to the success of our clients, and ultimately of the firm. We strive to create a culture that instills a sense of belonging. We want to provide our employees with a safety net, which empowers them to take risks and make leaps, while knowing that others will support, assist and, if need be, catch them. Maintaining a firm culture of shared vision, open communication, positive work environment and friendships will foster a cohesive team of professionals working together to champion the successes of our clients, our community partners, and the firm.

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We believe the legal industry needs to break free from its stale and uncreative practices in order to serve the needs of today’s clients. We seek to lead the way in revolutionizing the way consumers experience legal representation. We strive to reinvent all major facets of the delivery of legal services, including how we involve our clients in our representation through information sharing and communication, how we produce legal documents, manage cases, and price our services. We understand the challenges that come with innovation, and strive to support one another’s new ideas.

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We strive to ensure that our attorneys and staff are fully versed in their practice areas to provide our clients the best advice and representation. The knowledge necessary to do so includes not only mastering the letter of the law, but also understanding trends in the interpretation and application of the law. We are life long learners who know there will never come a day when we have all the answers. We nurture and rely on our strong network of relationships within the firm and beyond. We study; we reflect; we converse; and we challenge one another. Our depth of knowledge sets us apart.

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We all experiences life’s challenges, whether as part of our day-to-day routines or as a result of an event or transition in one’s life. Johnson/Turner Legal strives to help its clients and the legal profession rise through such challenges. Whether by pursuing fairness and justice, by solving problems or by bringing new perspective, Johnson/Turner Legal is dedicated to building trust and providing comfort.

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