Friday, June 5, 2015

Adoption Registry

Title: Learn more about the Fathers’ Adoption Registry

The Fathers’ Adoption Registry is a record of putative fathers who voluntary register any time before their child’s birth or within 30 days of the birth. It applies to children born on January 1, 1998 or later, but not before then. The Fathers' Adoption Registry gives the father the opportunity to identify himself and ensure that the court knows he is a putative father and will send him notice of the adoption.


What does “putative” mean?
In this context, a “putative father” means a man who may be a child’s fatherbut who
  • Is not married to the child’s mother on or before the date that the child was or is to be born; and
  • Has not established paternity of the child in a court proceeding.

Why is it important to register?
In Minnesota when an unmarried mother wants to place a child up for adoption, she does not have to name the person she thinks is the father before an adoption can take place. But, if the father of the child has been legally recognized as the father, then he has to give his okay for the adoption. On the other hand, if the father is not legally recognized, he may not even get notice of the adoption.

Are men required to do this?
No, there are other options available to a man to identify himself as a father.

What are some of the options?
If the father is known to the court, he may be recognized as a father and given notice of a pending adoption if he:
  • Substantially supported the child;
  • Was recently married to the child’s mother;
  • Is openly living with the child or the child’s mother

How does a man sign up for a registry?
To register with the Minnesota Fathers’ Adoption Registry, a father must fill out a written registration form, sign it and return it to the Registry (in person or mail). There is no registration fee.

Where can I receive the registration form?
Registration forms and instructions are available at (http://www.health.state.mn.usreginst.htmor by contacting:

Fathers’ Adoption Registry
Minnesota Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 64499
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0499
Or call toll free: 1-888-345-1726

If you have any questions or concernsthen please call the Law Office of Stacey Keenan, LLP at (651) 252- 7238 ext. 102.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

Parents have many rights when it comes to their children. But, sometimes Courts take away parental rights to protect children that are in very bad situations with their parent.

Parental rights can be terminated in two ways: voluntarily or involuntarily.
  • Voluntary termination means you agree to terminate your rights as a parent.
  • Involuntary termination means you don’t agree with giving up your rights as a parent, but the court decides they should be terminated anyway.

Why would I want to terminate my parental rights?
You might decide to terminate your parental rights because it would be in the best interest of the child or a family member/friend has agreed to take over raising your child.

What are the legal reasons for termination?
There are 9 legal reasons for termination in Minnesota.
  • Abandonment
  • Neglect
  • Failing to support financially
  • Unfit Parent
  • Not fixing the reasons the children were placed in foster care
  • The Children were hurt badly in your care
  • Absent Birth Father
  • Neglected and in foster care
  • Serious criminal conviction

Can I lose my rights if I don’t have a job?
No. You cannot lose your parental rights because you financially can’t provide for your children.  A social worker can work with you to find resources to help you.

What if I go to jail or prison?
If you are in jail or prison, your rights will not get terminated. But, it can be looked at along with other things to show you are not a part of your children’s lives.

Are my rights any different if I am the parent of an “Indian child”?
If your children are members of an American Indian Tribe or eligible for tribal membership, the rules about termination are different because of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

What if my rights have already been terminated?
You can appeal the court’s decision. An appeal is when you ask to have the judge’s order reviewed by a higher court. Appeals need to be made within 30 days of the date the order was made.

Can I have the rights of the other parent terminated?
Probably not. Courts generally think children should have 2 parents and don’t want to terminate the rights of one parent unless there is a good reason.

If you have any more questions or concerns then please contact the Law Office of Stacey Keenan at 651-252-7238, ext. 102.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Losing Non-Marital Status in Property

There are three ways to lose the non-martial property status.  Non-marital property becomes marital when one; co-mingles, causes marital improvements, or is active in causing appreciation.  When one of these scenarios occurs, the property will be classified as marital property.

 Co-mingling is when the non-marital property is mixed with marital assets so it becomes difficult to determine which property is in fact the non-marital property.  An example of co-mingling is when non-marital assets are placed in account with marital assets and the funds from the account are used to pay regular living expenses.  By combining the non-marital funds and marital funds into one account and then paying regular expenses, it becomes really hard to determine which funds were used to pay the expenses.

Marital improvement can be described as marital money (money that is obtained by either party during the course of the marriage) is used to improve a non-marital asset. The added value to the non-marital property from the marital funds will make the non-marital property be determined to be marital property.

Active appreciation is when the value of the property increases due to the action of either party during the course of the marriage. One example of active appreciation is when a building is added to real estate during the course of the marriage which leads to a higher value for the property. Another example of active appreciation is when a mutual fund is transferred to another fund during the course if the marriage which leads to a higher value.

It is important to avoid co-mingling, marital improvements, or active appreciation to ensure that your non-marital property stays classified as non-marital

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Non-marital property

Non-marital Property
Throughout the course of the marriage, property can be described one of two ways; marital property and non-marital property.  Property acquired through the course of the marriage, no matter which party obtains the property, is called marital property. Non-marital property can best be described as property that was obtained prior to the marriage by one party, property given as a gift to one person, prenuptial exclusions, personal injury proceeds, or an inheritance (gift) left to one party. 

The party claiming that property is non-marital property must show by a preponderance of the evidence in the divorce proceeding that the property is indeed non-marital property.  Evidence that can used to prove that the property is indeed non-marital is receipts, title documents, cancelled checks, or any other documentation that shows proof that the property falls into one of the scenarios mentioned above.  

Unless a party making a non-marital claim has proven that property is non-marital, the court will classify the property as marital property which will then be divided up between the two parties during the divorce.


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Marital Property

Marital Property
Marital property is any assets or debts acquired during the course of the marriage which each party is determine to have an equal share of during the marriage.  If the parties divorce, and the final division  is done according to the law the marital property will be divided between the parties EQUITABLY.   Under the law, it does not matter how the property or debt is titled for the debt/ asset to be considered marital property, only that the property was obtained during the marriage. 
For example, one person’s credit card debt or 401K is considered marital property even if it is solely in their name as this property was obtained during the course of the marriage.  Some other examples of marital property include furniture, stocks, bank accounts, cars, real estate and other debts.
When parties enter into a marriage, the courts tend to view the marriage like they would a business partnership.  All debts or income obtained during the marriage belong to both parties as they are essentially working as one unit together. It does not matter which party earns money during the marriage or whose name the debt is in.  The only thing that matters is that the debt was incurred or property was obtained during the course of the marriage.