Minnesota Dissolution of Marriage Checklist — Step-by-Step (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Preparation

• Confirm residency: 180 days in Minnesota + 180 days in filing county (at least one spouse)
• Identify the District Court in your county (mncourts.gov/courts for courthouse locations)
• Gather all financial documentation:
  • Recent pay stubs (last 2–3)
  • Last 2–3 years of federal and state income tax returns
  • All bank and savings account statements
  • Investment account statements
  • Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension — with pre-marital balance if relevant)
  • Mortgage statement (balance, payoff amount)
  • Vehicle loan statements
  • Credit card and all other debt statements
  • Business interest documentation (if applicable)
• Inventory all property:
  • Marital property (acquired during marriage) — equitable distribution
  • Non-marital/separate property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) — stays with original owner
• Inventory all debts

Phase 2 — Draft the Marital Termination Agreement (MTA)

• Agree on division of all marital property:
  • Real estate — who keeps or sale; equity split; refinancing deadline
  • Bank and savings accounts — split or assign
  • Investment accounts
  • Retirement accounts — QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer for IRAs
  • Vehicles — who keeps; refinancing
  • Business interests (if any)
• Confirm non-marital property stays with original owner; include in MTA
• Agree on all marital debt allocation
• Maintenance (spousal support) — amount, duration, termination events; OR written waiver
• If children:
  • Legal custody (joint or sole)
  • Physical custody and parenting time schedule (school year, summer, holidays)
  • Child support per Minnesota guidelines
  • Note: Parent Education Program required
• Both parties review and sign the Marital Termination Agreement

Phase 3 — Parent Education Program (Children Only)

• Both parents register for county-approved Parent Education Program
• Both parents complete the program (check county's required timing — typically before or at the final hearing)
• Obtain proof of completion certificates

Phase 4 — Complete Required Forms (mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx)

• Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (FA-series) — or individual Petition if not joint
• Summons (if individual petition)
• Marital Termination Agreement (drafted by parties)
• Child Support Order (if children)
• Parenting Plan (if children)
• Financial affidavit (if required by your county)

Phase 5 — File at District Court

• Make 3+ complete copies of the entire packet
• File at District Court clerk's office
• Pay $360–$400 filing fee
• Receive case number

Phase 6 — Service (Individual Petition Only)

• Serve Respondent with Petition and Summons
• File proof of service with the court
• (Skip for Joint Petition)

Phase 7 — Final Review / Hearing

• Court reviews MTA, Parent Education completion (if children), and all required documents
• Attend hearing if required by your county (uncontested dissolutions are often paper-reviewed)
• Judge signs Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

Phase 8 — Post-Dissolution

• Real estate: Prepare deed → record at county Recorder of Deeds (or Registrar of Titles for Torrens property)
• Vehicles: Minnesota DVS title transfer
• Retirement: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer for IRAs
• Beneficiary designations: Update all accounts
• Name restoration: Social Security → MN DVS → bank accounts
• Health insurance: New coverage within COBRA window (60 days)

Last reviewed: March 2026 | "Dissolution of Marriage" | "Marital Termination Agreement (MTA)" | District Court | mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.