Free Legal Resources

🎙️Episode 21: How Long Does the Court Process Take? In this episode of Being Civil in Minnesota, Meghan Maes, a Minnesota lawyer, breaks down how long the court process typically takes in the state. She highlights that the timeline can vary depending on the case type, jurisdiction, and the specific county's court practices. Meghan explains that certain cases, like criminal trials or emergency protective orders, are given priority, and that each county may handle cases like divorce or custody differently, often requiring an Initial Case Management Conference (ICMC) to encourage resolving conflicts early. She also covers motions for temporary relief, which are used for urgent matters like child custody or support and shares how judges usually make decisions within 90 days of hearings or trials. If the case goes to trial, the timeline could extend further depending on the complexity and evidence. Meghan reminds listeners that while an appeal is possible, it can stretch the process out for years. For those experiencing delays, she suggests requesting status or scheduling conferences to push the case forward and avoid unnecessary hold-ups. The episode wraps up with Meghan’s personal thoughts and an invitation for listeners to send in questions for future episodes. Tune in for practical tips on navigating the court system and understanding how long legal matters might take!

🎙️ Episode 18: Parallel Parenting With a Narcissist In Episode 18 of the Being Civil in Minnesota podcast, Meghan Maes, an attorney, delves into the challenges of co-parenting with a narcissist. She discusses how narcissistic behaviors often revolve around power and control, making effective co-parenting nearly impossible. Meghan highlights the difficulty of getting these behaviors recognized in court, as narcissists can be charming and manipulate perceptions. She offers strategies for dealing with such situations, such as setting strict boundaries and using tools like co-parenting apps to ensure clear communication. The episode also covers how courts can respond to these behaviors, the importance of documenting incidents, and the long game of letting the narcissist's actions speak for themselves. Meghan discusses the concept of "parallel parenting," where parents maintain minimal interaction but still meet the children's needs, emphasizing the importance of self-care and support systems for the non-narcissistic parent.

🎙️ Episode 7: How do I Know if I Need a Lawyer Hosted by Meghan Maes, family law attorney, mediator, and owner of Maes Law. In this episode of Being Civil in Minnesota, Meghan Maes discusses how to determine when it’s necessary to hire a lawyer and how to go about finding the right one for your case. She also touches on common misconceptions about lawyers and provides helpful tips for people who might be navigating the legal process.

🎙️ Episode 30: Mediation Hosted by Meghan Maes, family law attorney, mediator, and owner of Maes Law. In this episode of Being Civil in Minnesota, Meghan Maes discusses mediation as an alternative to traditional courtroom battles, especially in family law cases like custody, parenting time, and financial disputes. Mediation is a voluntary and cost-effective process where a neutral third-party mediator helps individuals in conflict reach an agreement. It is commonly used in family law disputes, including custody, child support, and maintenance. Mediation is typically much less expensive than going to court because the parties usually split the cost of the mediator, which is often a fraction of the cost of hiring attorneys for a full litigation process. Courts can have long wait times due to busy schedules, mandatory paperwork, and the 90-day window for judges to make a decision. In contrast, mediation can be scheduled quickly, helping resolve disputes much faster. Mediation is private. Any documents and discussions that take place in mediation are not part of the public record. This is especially important for families, as it keeps personal and sensitive information (such as financial details or custody arrangements) from being accessible in court records. One of the biggest advantages of mediation is that the participants have control over the resolution. Unlike a judge who makes the final decision, a mediator helps facilitate a discussion to reach a mutually agreeable solution. This can lead to better relationships post-resolution and is generally less adversarial. Mediation is typically less formal than court proceedings. There are no courtrooms, no testimonies, and no calling witnesses. Instead, participants meet with a mediator to discuss their concerns and work together toward a solution. Mediation can be scheduled at times that work for both parties, and sessions can be done in person or remotely. The mediator works to accommodate everyone’s needs, especially when safety concerns exist or parties are located far apart. People are more likely to follow through with an agreement they had a hand in creating. Since mediation encourages collaboration and voluntary decisions, the resulting agreements are often more durable. Mediation typically results in more balanced agreements, as participants can prioritize what matters most to them, rather than having a judge impose a solution that might leave both parties unhappy. Meghan encourages anyone considering mediation to find a qualified mediator and prepare well for the process. She also invites listeners to join the Being Civil in Minnesota group to ask questions anonymously and get additional support.