Getting the right Minnesota divorce forms is the essential first step in starting your dissolution of marriage case. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides comprehensive court forms designed specifically for divorce cases, whether you're filing a contested divorce, joint petition, or summary dissolution. Understanding which Minnesota divorce forms you need, how to complete them correctly, and where to file them helps ensure your case proceeds smoothly without delays caused by missing or incorrect paperwork.
Minnesota divorce forms have been updated to include fillable smart forms that you can complete electronically, making the process more convenient than ever. Additionally, the Minnesota Guide & File online interview system helps you create the forms you need by asking questions and using your answers to fill out the appropriate documents automatically. Whether you choose to use the interactive online system or download traditional forms, having access to the correct Minnesota divorce forms empowers you to move forward with your case confidently.
Minnesota Divorce Form Options
The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers several categories of divorce forms designed for different situations. Choosing the correct set of Minnesota divorce forms depends on whether you have minor children, whether you and your spouse agree on all issues, and whether you qualify for streamlined procedures like summary dissolution. Understanding these distinctions helps you select the appropriate forms for your specific circumstances.
If you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all divorce issues before filing, you'll use Joint Petition forms that allow both of you to file together. If you haven't reached an agreement or your spouse doesn't want to participate in filing, you'll use standard Petition for Divorce forms where one spouse initiates the case. The presence or absence of minor children determines which version of either form set you need.
Minnesota Guide & File System
The Minnesota Guide & File online interview system represents the easiest way to create the forms you need to start a divorce in MN. This free program from the Minnesota Judicial Branch walks you through the divorce filing process by asking questions about your situation and using your answers to automatically fill out all necessary court forms. The system determines which type of divorce you should file and creates a complete packet of documents ready for filing.
Minnesota Guide & File handles four types of divorce filings: Divorce with Children (when you don't have an agreement), Divorce without Children (when you don't have an agreement), Joint Divorce with Children (when you agree on everything), and Joint Divorce without Children (when you agree on everything). The interview asks about your marriage, children if any, property, debts, and what arrangements you're requesting, then generates professionally formatted court forms based on your responses.
When you complete the Minnesota Guide & File interview, you can print your forms and file them in person at the courthouse. Electronic filing through Guide & File is available for some divorce types and continues expanding, making it possible to file your case entirely online without visiting the courthouse. This convenience saves time and makes filing accessible even if you live far from your county courthouse.
Benefits of Using Minnesota Guide & File:
- Asks simple questions in plain language rather than legal terms
- Automatically selects the correct forms based on your answers
- Fills out forms accurately without handwriting errors
- Creates a complete packet with all necessary documents
- Provides instructions specific to your situation
- Allows electronic filing for certain case types
- Free to use with no subscription or fees required
Types of Minnesota Divorce Forms
Understanding the different categories of Minnesota divorce forms helps you identify which documents you need for your case. The primary distinction is between forms used when spouses agree (joint petitions) versus when they don't agree (standard petitions), with separate versions for cases with or without children.
Joint Petition Forms
Joint Petition Minnesota divorce forms are used when you and your spouse agree on all terms of your divorce at the time of filing. These forms require both spouses to work together to complete and sign the documents, which outline your agreements about property division, debt allocation, child custody if applicable, parenting time, child support, and spousal maintenance.
Joint petitions move through the court system faster than contested divorces because there's no need for extensive hearings to resolve disputes. Both spouses sign the petition together, submit it for court approval, and if the judge finds your agreement fair and appropriate, the divorce gets granted based on your agreed-upon terms. This approach saves time, reduces costs, and gives you more control over outcomes.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides separate Joint Petition forms for cases with children versus without children. If you have minor children (under 18 or still in high school) born or adopted during the marriage, or if one spouse is currently pregnant, you must use the "with children" forms that address custody, parenting time, and child support in addition to property and financial issues.
Standard Petition for Divorce Forms
Standard Petition for Divorce forms are used when you and your spouse don't have an agreement on all issues at the time of filing. One spouse (the petitioner) files these Minnesota divorce forms and serves them on the other spouse (the respondent), who then has the opportunity to respond. These cases can eventually become uncontested if the parties reach an agreement during the divorce process, or they may require court hearings or a trial if disputes persist.
Like joint petitions, standard petition forms come in "with children" and "without children" versions. Choosing the correct version ensures your forms address all relevant issues for your situation. The "with children" forms include sections for requesting specific custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and child support calculations.
Summary Dissolution Forms
Summary dissolution provides a streamlined process for couples who meet strict eligibility requirements. Minnesota divorce forms for summary dissolution allow qualifying couples to complete their divorce quickly, potentially within 30 days, without appearing for court hearings. However, most couples don't qualify due to the stringent requirements.
To use summary dissolution Minnesota divorce forms, you must meet all of these conditions: married less than 8 years; no real estate ownership; marital assets worth less than $25,000 and individual separate property worth less than $25,000; total debts under $8,000 (excluding car loans); no minor children born or adopted during marriage and no current pregnancy; and no domestic abuse in the relationship.
Form Type | When to Use | Children Forms | No Children Forms | Best For |
Joint Petition | Agree on all issues | Joint Petition with Children | Joint Petition without Children | Cooperative divorces with full agreement |
Standard Petition | Don't agree on all issues | Petition for Divorce with Children | Petition for Divorce without Children | Contested cases or an uncooperative spouse |
Summary Dissolution | Meet all eligibility requirements | Not available (no children allowed) | Summary Dissolution Petition | Very simple, short marriages with few assets |
Essential Minnesota Divorce Forms
Regardless of which category of Minnesota divorce forms you use, certain documents are essential for starting and completing your case. Understanding what each form does helps you complete them accurately and ensure you have all the necessary paperwork.
Summons
The Summons is a legal document that notifies your spouse about the divorce case and provides important deadlines. The Summons tells the respondent they must file a response within 30 days of being served or risk being in default. It also informs both parties about automatic restrictions that take effect when the divorce is filed, including prohibitions against selling property, harassing each other, or canceling insurance coverage without court permission.
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the main document that starts your divorce case. This form provides the court with essential information about your marriage including when and where you married, whether you meet residency requirements, whether you have children, and what relief you're requesting from the court. The Petition asks the court to grant your divorce and make specific decisions about custody, support, property division, and other issues.
Confidential Information Form
The Confidential Information Form contains personal information like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and driver's license numbers that shouldn't appear in public court records. This form is filed separately and kept confidential by the court, protecting sensitive information while still providing the court with details it needs.
Financial Affidavit
Financial Affidavits provide detailed information about your income, expenses, assets, and debts. These Minnesota divorce forms are essential for cases involving property division, child support, or spousal maintenance because they give the court a complete picture of each party's financial situation. You must update your Financial Affidavit throughout the case if your circumstances change significantly.
Affidavit of Service
After serving divorce papers on your spouse, you must file an Affidavit of Service proving that proper service occurred. The person who served the documents (not you) completes this affidavit under oath, stating when, where, and how they delivered the papers. This proof of service allows your case to proceed.
Fillable Smart Forms
Many Minnesota divorce forms are now available as fillable smart forms, which you can complete electronically on your computer before printing. Fillable smart forms offer several advantages over traditional paper forms that you fill out by hand. They're easier to read, eliminate handwriting problems, allow you to save your work and return to it later, and help prevent mistakes by guiding you through required fields.
To use fillable smart forms from the Minnesota Judicial Branch, you need a computer with PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat Reader (available free). You open the form in your PDF reader, type your information into the designated fields, and can then save the completed form to your computer and print it when ready. Some fillable forms include helpful features like automatic calculations or dropdown menus that ensure you enter information correctly.
Tips for Using Fillable Smart Forms:
- Download and save forms to your computer before starting
- Use Adobe Acrobat Reader for the best compatibility
- Fill in all required fields marked with asterisks or highlighted
- Save your work frequently as you complete forms
- Review completed forms carefully before printing
- Don't forget to sign forms where indicated after printing
Additional Minnesota Divorce Forms
Beyond the initial forms needed to start a divorce, other Minnesota divorce forms may be required as your case progresses. Temporary relief forms allow you to request court orders about issues needing immediate attention before the divorce finalizes. Stipulation forms document agreements reached during the divorce process. Financial disclosure statements provide updated financial information before hearings or trials.
If you need to change custody, support, or other provisions after your divorce is final, you'll use modification forms. Fee waiver forms allow low-income individuals to request that the court waive filing fees and other costs. Each of these form categories serves specific purposes at different stages of the divorce process.
Where to Get Minnesota Divorce Forms
The primary source for official Minnesota divorce forms is the Minnesota Judicial Branch website at mncourts.gov. The website provides forms organized by category, with divorce forms under the "Divorce/Dissolution" category. You can access forms either through the Minnesota Guide & File interview system or by downloading individual forms or complete packets.
You can also obtain court forms in person by visiting the clerk of court's office at your county courthouse. Court staff can provide you with blank forms, but cannot give you legal advice about which forms to use or how to fill them out. Many courthouses also have Self-Help Centers staffed by professionals who can answer procedural questions about forms and filing requirements.
Legal aid organizations and family law clinics may provide Minnesota divorce forms along with assistance in completing them if you meet income eligibility requirements. Some organizations offer form preparation services at reduced cost or free of charge for qualifying individuals.
Filing Your Minnesota Divorce Forms
Once you've completed your Minnesota divorce forms, you file them with the district court in the county where either you or your spouse lives. You'll need to pay a filing fee of approximately $400 when submitting your initial divorce forms, though you can request a fee waiver if you have a low income and cannot afford the fee.
If you used the Minnesota Guide & File and electronic filing is available for your case type, you can file your forms online without visiting the courthouse. Otherwise, you file forms in person at the court clerk's office or by mail. The clerk reviews your forms for completeness and enters your case into the court system, assigning it a case number.
After filing, you must serve copies of your Minnesota divorce forms on your spouse according to service of process requirements. Proper service ensures your spouse receives official notice of the case and has the opportunity to respond. Your case cannot proceed until you file proof that service was properly completed.
Getting Help with Minnesota Divorce Forms
While Minnesota divorce forms are designed to be accessible to people representing themselves, completing them correctly can be challenging. Consider these resources if you need help:
Available Resources:
- Minnesota Guide & File online interview system with built-in guidance
- Instructions included with each form packet
- Self-Help Centers at many Minnesota courthouses
- Legal aid organizations for qualifying low-income individuals
- Private family law attorneys for consultations or full representation
- Form preparation services that help complete forms for a fee
- Online tutorials and guides from the Minnesota Judicial Branch
Taking advantage of available resources helps you complete Minnesota divorce forms accurately, avoiding delays caused by incorrect or incomplete paperwork. While court staff and self-help center personnel can answer procedural questions, they cannot provide legal advice or tell you what information to put in your forms. For legal advice, you'll need to consult with an attorney.