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The Impact of COVID-19 on Marriage and Divorce

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of stress and frustration for many Minnesotans. Trying to manage working from home or dealing with unemployment from lost jobs or reduced working hours, taking care of children’s’ educational needs, and trying to find a balance between social distancing precautions and having to venture out to get the essentials for living, can create a psychological powderkeg. Adding marital issues into that mix can be the last straw that ultimately blows up and results in divorce.

In a recent CNBC report, lawyers concurred:

“For some, life in lockdown due to the coronavirus may feel similar to holidays like Christmas — but that’s not necessarily a good thing, as prolonged periods together can prove make or break for a relationship,” U.K. divorce lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton of Belgravia told the U.K.’s parliament. She added, “that lawyers in the sector had predicted a likely rise in divorce rates following ‘self-imposed confinement.’”

Among the reasons the legal community cites for the predicted uptick in divorces is tension caused by forced proximity from the pandemic. Couples who were used to independent living in their marriages now find themselves in close quarters and having to make drastic life changes. For some, the coupled isolation may strengthen the marital bonds. Others however may be unable to make the life adjustment, throwing a pandemic-sized wrench into their marriage.

Another reason is as the news of increasing death rates from COVID-19 can be found in virtually every state, people are coming to terms with their mortality, creating a greater desire to make positive changes in their lives — among those changes can be leaving an unhappy marriage.

The decision to file for divorce is difficult, emotional and stressful. There are many legal aspects to consider and no one should deal with such a traumatic time by themselves. If you are looking at filing for divorce, the team at Morris Law Group can help you navigate the process, taking the stress off you at a time when your mental health is most important. Morris Law Group is the best Minnesota law firm for all of your family law needs. We advocate for our clients with professionalism, empathy, and with a results-driven approach. For more information or to book a free consultation, call 952.832.2000 or email info@morrislawmn.com.

Under Minnesota law, a divorce is called a “Dissolution of Marriage.”  Getting divorced is a lot more complicated than getting married, and it can take several months before your divorce is final. To get divorced in Minnesota, at least one of the spouses must be living in the state for a minimum of 180 days (or you or your spouse must be a member of the armed forces and that person must have kept their Minnesota residency), and you must file court forms with the district court in the county where one of the spouses is living.

The amount of time it takes to get divorced is going to depend on the county you are filing in and whether you and your spouse agree or disagree on the issues in the divorce. While there is no citizenship requirement for getting divorced in Minnesota, factors such as child custody and parenting agreements; property, asset and debt division; and more must be discussed. Such discussions can get argumentative, adding more fuel to the emotional fire.

Minnesota offers what is known as a “no-fault” divorce process. This means that either spouse can file for divorce without having to prove fault to the court, and the other spouse can’t prevent the divorce by objecting to it. This doesn’t mean that a judge will grant an “on-demand” or “just because” divorce. You must still demonstrate to the court why a divorce is necessary, even if both spouses agree to the divorce.

In Minnesota, you only need to allege and prove there’s an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage, This means the marriage is broken beyond repair there is no chance the couple will get back together. You can do this by showing the court either:

  • you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for at least 180 days, or
  • there is serious marital discord that adversely affects either (or both) spouse’s attitude toward the marriage, and
  • there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation.

If you’re contemplating divorce, or if you’ve received a divorce petition from your spouse, it’s always best to contact an experienced, local family law attorney to discuss next steps.

The experienced Minnesota attorneys at Morris Law Group believe that relationships matter, whether a client is trying to navigate a divorce decree, manage asset and debt division or figure out child custody arrangements. Our attorneys provide personalized, compassionate and cost-effective legal services. Call us today to arrange for a free consultation: 952.832.2000.

We’re here to help.

About Morris Law Group 

At Morris Law Group, we don’t just counsel our clients. We invest in them.

Our attorneys have been serving the Edina and Twin Cities communities since 1974. Our attorneys provide personalized, cost-effective legal services to clients seeking help in real estate, business development, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, loan modification, debt reorganization, personal injury claims, family law, and other matters.

Our experienced attorneys believe that relationships matter, whether a client is trying to get through a divorce, buy real estate, file a personal injury claim, declare bankruptcy, navigate a purchase agreement, get a business off the ground, or dissolve a partnership. Our lawyers appear regularly in state and federal court, in administrative hearings, and in various alternative dispute resolution forums, including mediation and arbitration.

Morris Law Group is a highly skilled Minnesota law firm for all of your real estate, business, bankruptcy, and family law, personal injury legal needs. We advocate for our clients with professionalism, vigor, and with a results-driven approach.

Let’s get started today! For more information or to book a free consultation, call (612) 895-1629 or email info@morrislawgroup.com. You also can fill out our confidential contact form.