Michael D. Harnois

Family Law

Complex legal issues confront parents who divorce: division of property, spousal maintenance, child custody and support and parenting time. The family law offices of Michael D. Harnois PLC, in Duluth, Minnesota, can assist you in making the decisions on your family law issues so you can reach a positive solution. Our family law practice includes:

  • Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
  • Property Settlement
  • Parenting Time (Visitation)
  • Post-Decree Modifications
  • Adoption
  • Paternity
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Postnuptial Agreements

The Best Interests of the Children
If you have children, their best interests will be the controlling factor in most aspects of your divorce. Issues of custody and parenting time are resolved by placing the children in the environment which is most beneficial. There are thirteen primary factors that a court will consider in awarding custody and parenting time. The court will base its decisions on all of those factors weighed together. No one factor is granted more weight than any other.

Compassionate Practice of the Law
As a former Lutheran pastor, Michael Harnois has sixteen years of experience counseling families. We know the range of issues that face families, and we know how important it is to find an understanding, knowledgeable person to discuss your family law issues with. We use that experience, along with expert legal skills, to create unique, particularized solutions to your problems and issues. Our goal is a resolution that does not penalize either party. When children are involved, we seek to lay the groundwork for a cooperative relationship between former spouses. Your children will not be well served if either parent is embittered by the final outcome of your divorce.

Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is a method of resolving legal disputes without the contentious, adversarial process that is typical of most lawsuits. It originated in Minnesota, and it can be very effective in solving family law issues, because it works to find solutions that are beneficial for all, especially your children.

If you need a family law attorney, and you want skill, compassion, and understanding, contact the Law Offices of Michael D. Harnois PLC in Duluth, Minnesota by filling out our online information form or by calling our office at 218.260.2392.

Our office is conveniently located to serve clients in Duluth and the surrounding area, including Cloquet, Hermantown, Proctor, Twig, Meadowlands and Carlton, as well as the counties of St. Louis, Carlton, Lake, Pine, Itasca, and Kanabec.