Family Law
Family law is more than paperwork.
A family law matter — a divorce, a custody dispute, a child support modification — runs alongside grief, fear, and uncertainty about what comes next. The legal work matters, but so does the way it is done. For four decades, Rick has represented North Dakota and Minnesota families in these matters with both the toughness the courtroom demands and the patience the moment requires.
We handle divorce, child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal support, division of property and debts, post-decree modifications, and related matters. We work to settle cases when settlement is in our client's interest, and we are prepared to try them when it is not.
An ending that is also a beginning.
North Dakota is a no-fault, equitable distribution state — the court divides the marital estate based on what is fair, not necessarily equal. That gives a thoughtful divorce attorney room to advocate for an outcome that reflects the realities of the marriage: who built what, who sacrificed what, and what each party needs to move forward.
We handle uncontested divorces where both spouses agree, contested divorces with significant disputes over property or support, and high-asset divorces involving businesses, retirement accounts, real estate, and complex financial structures. Whatever the situation, we keep our client informed at every stage and work hard to keep unnecessary conflict out of the case.
Children come first. The plan should reflect that.
North Dakota courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, weighing thirteen statutory factors that range from the love and affection between each parent and the child to the moral character of the parties. The standard sounds simple; in practice it requires careful presentation of evidence, witnesses, and a clear narrative about why your proposed parenting plan serves the child.
We represent parents seeking primary residential responsibility, parents seeking equal or substantial parenting time, and parents defending an existing arrangement that another parent is trying to change. Child support is calculated by guideline, but the underlying inputs — incomes, overnights, work-related daycare, health insurance — are often disputed. We make sure those numbers are accurate before the court adopts an order based on them.
Life changes. Court orders can too.
A divorce decree or custody order is meant to last, but few do forever. A parent relocates for work. Income changes substantially. A child's needs evolve as they grow. North Dakota law allows modifications when there has been a material change in circumstances and modification is in the child's best interest.
We handle motions to modify primary residential responsibility, parenting time schedules, and child support obligations, as well as motions to enforce existing orders that are not being followed. On the defense side, we represent parents and former spouses who are responding to a modification motion they did not initiate.
Where appropriate, we negotiate modifications by stipulation — quietly, between the parties, without ever returning to a contested hearing. When that is not possible, we are ready to litigate.
We answer our own phones.
The thing we hear most often from family law clients — usually with some surprise — is that we return calls the same day. Often within the hour. There is no answering service that takes a message and never gets back to you. The attorney who opens your case is the same attorney who closes it.
We also try, wherever possible, to keep the temperature of a case low. Family matters are not improved by inflammatory letters or unnecessary motions. We are tough where we need to be and quiet where we can be — because that is usually what is best for the client and the children.
40+ years in Cass County family court.
We know the family court
Decades of practice in front of the Cass County District Court mean we know the judges, the staff, and the rhythm of the local docket.
We know North Dakota law
The thirteen best-interest factors, the spousal support framework, and the property distribution standards all have local nuance. We work with them daily.
We know two states
Many local families have ties on both sides of the river. Licensed in North Dakota and Minnesota, we handle matters that cross state lines.
A quiet conversation, in confidence.
Family matters are personal. We meet you where you are, listen carefully, and help you understand the path forward.