Embarking on your first home inspection is a pivotal moment in the home‑buying process. It marks the transition from hopeful buyer to empowered purchaser, but it can also be a source of considerable anxiety. A thorough, well‑conducted inspection can reveal crucial...
What Does the Family Mediation Process Look Like?
Stepping into family mediation can feel like entering a cautiously lit room—uncertainty mingled with hope. You’re here because you want a different path: one less about courtroom drama and more about candid conversation. Whether you’ve heard about Minneapolis...
Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Family Law Mediator
Navigating a family dispute is rarely described as “fun.” Divorce, custody battles, and property divisions come laden with emotion, uncertainty, and legal complexity. Hiring the right mediator can transform this whirlwind into a constructive dialogue. But how do you...
The Benefits of Family Law Mediation
When families face legal disputes—be it divorce, child custody, or support issues—the prospect of court can feel daunting. Traditional litigation often involves adversarial hearings, public records, steep legal fees, and unpredictable timelines. Enter family law...
Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation: Choosing the Right Path
Divorce is seldom easy. Emotions run high, finances get tangled, and the well-being of children often hangs in the balance. Faced with these challenges, couples have to decide: should we hash this out in a courtroom or find a less adversarial route through mediation?...
Understanding At-Will Employment and Its Exceptions
At-will employment is the prevailing default in American workplaces: an arrangement under which an employer may terminate an employee at any time, for any reason—or for no reason at all—provided the reason is not unlawful. Similarly, employees may resign at will. This...
Join SPOE Lawyers: A Successful Law Firm and a Fun Place to Work!
Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson is a successful general practice firm in Monticello, Minnesota. We are a growing firm with a solid history of serving the Monticello and surrounding west metro communities. As we grow, we aspire to remain a community-based,...
When and How to Appeal a Civil Court Decision
A civil court ruling can feel like the final word in a legal dispute – until you learn that the door to appeal remains open. Pursuing an appeal is a vital legal tool for correcting errors, safeguarding your rights, and ensuring justice prevails. But appeals don’t...
Partnership Disputes in Business: Common Causes and How to Handle Them
In the world of business, partnerships can be a powerful vehicle for growth, combining the skills, resources, and visions of two or more individuals to achieve common goals. However, the very dynamics that make partnerships appealing—shared decision‑making, pooled...
Reasons to Update Your Will After Divorce
Divorce marks a significant life change—not only emotionally, but legally and financially. If you created your will while you and your ex-spouse were still married, that document likely no longer reflects your current wishes or family situation. Failing to update your...
How Parenting Time Decisions Are Made in Divorce Cases
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most emotionally charged and important issues is how much time each parent will spend with their children. Parenting time arrangements shape a child’s daily life, routines, and relationships. Courts strive to create...
What First-Time Homeowners Should Know About the Closing Process in Minnesota
Closing on your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. After weeks or months of searching, negotiating, and navigating mortgage approvals, the closing process is the final—and most critical—step before you receive the keys. In...











