In some instances, you may be able to sue if you signed a valid arbitration agreement. While courts generally favor arbitration agreements, they will allow you to file a lawsuit if either you didn't understand your rights or your claims fall outside the arbitration provision's scope.
During arbitration, you and your spouse will each state your cases, with or without legal representatives, along with evidence to support your argument. The panel of judges will listen to both sides and decide things such as asset division, spousal support, child custody and child support.
Settlement by agreement is the cheapest option and gives you the most control. Both mediation and arbitration are expensive, and arbitration is usually binding, so the ultimate decision is out of your control.
Minnesota is an equitable distribution state. This does not necessarily mean a 50-50 settlement of everything. But the law presumes that all assets and debts acquired during the marriage will be divided equitably, including: Your house and other real estate.
Both sides will give opening and closing statements, present evidence, and call and cross examine witnesses in front of the arbitrator. After each side presents their case, the arbitrator will issue their decision within the time allotted in the arbitration agreement.
However, if you and your spouse can agree on all the issues before you actually begin the legal divorce process, Minnesota offers two types of uncontested divorce that are much simpler and less expensive than traditional dissolution proceedings: summary dissolution, and. dissolution by joint petition.
Summons and Petition The forms that are used in Minnesota to start a divorce when both parties are not willing or able to sign a Joint Petition.
It does not make any difference who files first. What matters, in a long term marriage such as yours, is making sure that your economic future is protected.
You can also consider contacting the clerk's office at your local family law courthouse, and inquiring as to whether there's been anything filed under your name or his. That would be one sure way to verify whether he has in fact filed for divorce as yet, or not.