The Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota

06/17/2026

Navigating the House During Divorce in Today's Higher Interest Rate Environment - The Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates...
As mortgage rates remain significantly higher than the historic lows of recent years, divorcing homeowners face new challenges when determining what to do with the marital home. This article explores how rising rates have impacted divorce settlements, why cooperation between spouses is more important than ever, and the four primary options available when equity must be divided. It also discusses Qualifying Name Delete Assumptions (QNDA), refinancing considerations, housing market forecasts, and practical strategies attorneys can use to help clients navigate these increasingly complex mortgage decisions.

Read the full article by author Brett Leschinsky, Sr Mortgage Consultant, Divorce Mortgage Specialist with Resource Mortgage, mortgageforest.com at: https://collaborativelaw.org/navigating_the_house_during_divorce_in_high_interest_environment/

Explore mortgage options during divorce, including refinancing, assumptions, buyouts, and creative strategies for dividing home equity.

06/10/2026

The Good News About Being Part of the Problem-
When relationships struggle, it's easy to focus on your partner's faults. But real change begins when you recognize your own patterns and reactions. This thoughtful article explores how self-awareness, accountability, and clarity can help you break unhealthy cycles, strengthen relationships, and make more confident decisions about the future.
Read the full article posted at the CLI-MN Blog https://collaborativelaw.org/the-good-news-about-being-part-of-the-problem/ by author Brian Burns, LMFT, MN Relationship Repair https://www.mnrelationshiprepair.com/

06/03/2026

(RE)LEARNING THE SEVEN POWERS OF PLAY – PART 2
A blog article at the CLI Blog | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/

Author: Audra Holbeck, Attorney, Mediator, Holbeck Law
E: [email protected] |Web: http://holbecklaw.com

Description: As children, we learn some of life’s most important skills through play—creativity, critical thinking, self-control, confidence, collaboration, communication, and coordination. But what happens when those skills get buried under the demands of adulthood, especially during one of life’s most challenging transitions: divorce?
In this thoughtful article, the author explores how the very skills developed through childhood play can become powerful tools for navigating divorce in a healthier, more constructive way. Using examples from the Collaborative Divorce process, readers will discover how creative thinking helps families imagine new possibilities, critical thinking supports better decision-making, and self-control allows emotions to be managed rather than allowed to take over.
The article also highlights the importance of confidence, collaboration, and effective communication in building a positive co-parenting relationship and creating a strong foundation for life after divorce. Finally, it explores how understanding our physical and emotional responses to stress can help us better regulate ourselves during difficult moments.
Divorce may mark the end of a marriage, but it does not mean the people involved are broken. Sometimes the skills we need most have simply been forgotten. This article offers encouragement and practical insight for rediscovering those skills and using them to create a healthier future for yourself and your family.

READ MORE… ttps://collaborativelaw.org/relearning-the-seven-powers-of-play-part-2/

05/27/2026

A blog article has been posted at the CLI Blog https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
Article Title: Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Creating Healthy Boundaries for Peaceful Co-Parenting
by Deborah Clemmensen, M.Eq., L.P.
Licensed Psychologist and Neutral Child and Family Specialist
http://www.deborahclemmensen.com
Article Summary: Divorce and separation often require families to redefine how they function—and that can create uncertainty, stress, and conflict around parenting. A thoughtful Parenting Plan can help create the “good fences” that support healthy co-parenting relationships and provide children with stability, consistency, and emotional safety.
This article explores how clear boundaries, respectful communication, and mutual agreements can help parents transition from an intimate partnership into a more businesslike lifelong co-parenting relationship. From parenting schedules and holiday arrangements to communication expectations, discipline approaches, and introducing new significant others, a child-centered Parenting Plan can reduce misunderstandings and keep children out of the middle of conflict.
The article also offers practical guidance for co-parents, including the importance of reliability, courtesy, maintaining dignity during disagreements, respecting differences in parenting styles, and seeking professional support when needed.
At its heart, successful co-parenting is not about perfection—it’s about creating an emotionally safe environment where children can continue to thrive. Clear expectations and healthy boundaries can help parents move forward with greater peace, cooperation, and trust.
READ MORE… https://collaborativelaw.org/good_fences_make_good_neighbors_creating_healthy_boundaries_for_peaceful_co-parenting/

Learn how clear parenting plans and healthy boundaries support respectful, child-centered co-parenting after divorce or separation.

05/19/2026

A blog article has been posted at the CLI Blog | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
Sitting With Couples at the Edge of Divorce | How Discernment Counseling helps couples think more clearly in a marriage crisis

What happens when one spouse is leaning toward divorce while the other is fighting to save the marriage?

Many couples enter therapy carrying fear, grief, anger, exhaustion, and completely different hopes for the future. Traditional couples counseling often assumes both people are equally committed to repair — but in reality, many are not.

In this thoughtful and compassionate blog, therapist Brian Burns explores why couples at the edge of separation often feel stuck, reactive, and overwhelmed, and why “fixing communication” is rarely the first step. Drawing from years of experience and the Discernment Counseling model, he explains how slowing down, creating clarity, and understanding the deeper story beneath the conflict can help couples move forward more intentionally — whether that leads to reconciliation, structured repair, or separation.

This article offers insight for anyone feeling trapped between panic and uncertainty in their relationship. Sometimes the most important thing is not rushing toward an answer, but creating enough space to truly understand what is happening and what comes next. “You do not have to decide the rest of your life this week.”

Read the full blog and learn why clarity often begins with slowing down.
Article at: https://collaborativelaw.org/discernment-counseling-helps-couples-in-marriage-crisis/
Author: Brian Burns, LMFT
MN Relationship Repair
[email protected]
https://www.mnrelationshiprepair.com/

Brian Burns Relationship Repair offers fast, effective relationship and discernment counseling, coaching and mediation. Gain confidence, clarity and get unstuck now.

05/13/2026

(RE)LEARNING THE SEVEN POWERS OF PLAY – PART 1
A blog article at the CLI Blog | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/

Author: Audra Holbeck, Attorney, Mediator
Holbeck Law
E: [email protected] | http://holbecklaw.com

Description: Inspired by the Minnesota Children’s Museum, this article explores how the “Seven Powers of Play” help children build creativity, confidence, communication, and collaboration—and how those same skills can support adults navigating Collaborative divorce and family transitions with compassion and teamwork.

04/28/2026

THE CLI BLOG | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
A blog article has been posted at the CLI Blog | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
Article Title: Collaborative Divorce in Minnesota: The Financial Neutral’s Role in Creating Better Outcomes
Description: Learn how a Financial Neutral in Minnesota Collaborative Divorce helps reduce conflict, clarify complex finances, and support long-term financial stability—especially in gray divorce.
Article at: https://collaborativelaw.org/financial_neutrals_role_in_creating_better_outcomes/
Author: Michelle Leisen, CDFA®, CFP®
Mediator, Financial Neutral, Divorce Smart LLC
[email protected]
https://www.mydivorcesmart.com

04/15/2026

THE CLI BLOG | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
What is Child Inclusive Mediation and when do you use it?

When parents go through divorce, one of the biggest questions is: How do we truly understand what our children are experiencing?

Child Inclusive Mediation offers a thoughtful, structured way to bring a child’s voice into the conversation—without placing them in the middle. Through a trained mental health professional, children can safely share their feelings, concerns, and hopes. Those insights then help parents create parenting plans that better reflect their child’s needs.

This approach is especially valuable for teens, who often have strong perspectives but may hesitate to speak openly for fear of hurting a parent.

The goal isn’t to have children make decisions—it’s to ensure they are heard.

If you’re navigating divorce and want to better support your child through the process, this is worth understanding.

Read the full article by attorney Laura Schultz at https://collaborativelaw.org/what-is-child-inclusive-mediation-and-when-do-you-use-it/
[email protected] | www.lauraschultzlaw.com

04/13/2026

THE CLI BLOG | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
Article Title: The Good Family Law Attorney
Description: When people ask someone for a referral to a “good” family law attorney, the question is what do they mean by “good”? Thinking about what that means to you before you ask the question will lead you to the better outcome.
Article at: https://collaborativelaw.org/the_good_family_law_attorney/
Author: Louise Livesay-Al, Collaborative Attorney and Mediator
The Law Shop Minnesota
E: [email protected] | www.thelawshopmn.com

04/07/2026

Minnesota Family Law Professionals,

If you’ve been waiting for the annual New Collaborative Experience basic training—or want to learn a positive, family-focused way to practice family law—now is your opportunity. Registration is open for the upcoming training hosted by CLI-MN, held full days on April 16, 17, and 24 in Edina at the Centennial Lakes Campus.

This interactive training introduces the concepts, process, skills, and tools used in Collaborative Divorce. Participants gain practical insight into working within a team-based model designed to support families through transition with dignity and respect.
The training is open to attorneys, mental health professionals, financial professionals, and students. Whether you are new to family law or have years of experience, this program provides an opportunity to expand your services and make a meaningful impact on families navigating change.

Collaborative Divorce uses a customized, team approach based on each family’s needs. Each participant has their own Collaborative attorney, and additional professionals—such as mental health and financial specialists—are included as appropriate. The focus is on problem-solving, informed decision-making, and keeping families out of court.

Developed in Minnesota more than 30 years ago and now practiced worldwide, Collaborative Divorce offers professionals a non-adversarial model, a supportive professional community, and a better way to help families move forward.

Register now and reserve your spot:
https://collaborativelaw.org/events/list/

We hope you’ll join us for this engaging and practical training experience.

Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota
https://collaborativelaw.org/