My daughter wants to separate from her husband but has no money of her own and cannot aford an attorney. Can she file the forms herself and if so what steps does she have to take?

The process for a legal separation is identical to the process for divorce. That means the timelines are nearly the same and the issues are the same. The only difference is that the marital relationship is not severed. In a legal separation the matter is commenced when one party serves and files a Summons and Petition for a legal separation. The Court may determine issues regarding occupancy or homes awards of vehicles property allocation of debt determinations of custody and visitation and calculations of child support. At any point before a trial the matter may be concluded when the parties enter into an "Agreement for Legal Separation." This document is turned into an order which is signed by a Judge making the agreements enforceable by the Court. I am not certain if there are forms for legal separation. There are forms for divorce that can be acquired form the Court Administrator's office. The Beaulier Law Office will be sponsoring a FREE divorce workshop on May 12 2003 at the Ridgedale library in Minnetonka MN from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. If you have questions about divorce or simply want to know more about the process and issues you should attend. Speakers will include: Maury D. Beaulier Attorney on divorce issues and the divorce process; Nicole Middendorf financial planner on the financial planning aspects of divorce; Roben Hunter CPA on tax issues and debt; and Debra Orbuch Grayson LMFT (therapist) on coping with divorce and minimizing the impact of divorce on children). CALL (763) 208-0482 to reserve a spot