When parents face a custody battle, emotions often run high. Parents, often say and do things the should not. The desire to protect your child and secure a favorable outcome can sometimes lead to decisions that do more harm than good. Understanding the biggest mistakes parents make during custody disputes—and how to avoid them—can make all the difference in both the legal process and your family’s future.
When parents continue to struggle with custody issues after divorce, it can feel like the conflict will never end. Disagreements over parenting schedules, decision-making, or changes in circumstances often bring families back into stressful and emotional territory. In Minnesota, one of the most effective ways to move forward in these situations is by working with a custody evaluator—a neutral professional who helps determine
Divorce may end a marriage, but it doesn’t end the need to parent together. For many Minnesota parents, the hardest part begins after the divorce — when day-to-day parenting challenges resurface without the structure of a shared household. From scheduling conflicts to differences in discipline and communication breakdowns, co-parenting problems can quickly impact both parents and children. Understanding these common issues — and knowing where to find professional guidance — can make all the difference.
One of the most emotionally charged questions in a Minnesota divorce is, “Who gets the house?” For many couples, the marital home is more than just a property—it’s a place filled with memories, stability for children, and often the single largest financial asset. Deciding what happens to it requires balancing both emotional and legal considerations.
Marital vs. Non-Marital Property
In Minnesota, property division is guided by the concept of “equitable distribution.” This means assets are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally. If the home was purchased during the marriage, it is generally considered marital property. However, if one spouse owned it before marriage or inherited it
Co-parenting during and after divorce is easily one of the most difficult parts of the process. After all, divorce generally means that you will see your kids less than when you were a family unit and that is difficult for everyone. Difficulty managing a parenting time agreement is a very common conflict between a former couple that shares children. AMS Mediation offers parenting support services like a Parenting Time Expeditor, to help your family navigate these challenges. A parenting time expeditor (PTE) is appointed by the courts and can make legally binding decisions about parenting time schedules, potential trades, vacation time, special events
The traditional court system is not set up to be able to litigate each and every issue that comes up between co-parents after a divorce. No matter how old your children are when you divorce, there are going to be issues that come up as the time passes, as the kid’s needs change and you and your ex move on with your lives. These changes are normal, and mediation is ideal for resolving these issues so that you do not have to spend
The safety of clients, ourselves, and colleagues is our top priority while we remain available to assist you as you navigate the new and uncharted territory caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
While providing virtual ADR services was not part of our plan, we have made the necessary accommodations to ensure we can continue to serve our clients during these unsettling times. All services are currently available through virtually. We are using Zoom for videoconferencing. We suggest that you download this app to your phone or the program to your computer at https://zoom.us/download.
We have resumed limited in-person services for sessions with 1 or 2 participants scheduled for a maximum of 2 hours. Masks are required in our building and in session. Availability is subject to change based on local regulations and CDC guidelines.
Our office hours remain the same and we remain available by phone and email. The main office number is 952.252.1492. Gabe can be reached via email at gabe@amsmediationplus.com.
We offer free 1-hour divorce consultations via Zoom. Potential PC and PTE clients are invited to schedule a free 15-minute phone call. Please call 952.252.1492 to set up an appointment. We are here to help!
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all continue to adapt to these rapidly changing and chaotic times. Stay strong, stay resilient, and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Amber Serwat & Gabe Frye
ADR Professional & ADR Assistant
