Cannon Falls Family Law Attorney

Family Law Attorney in Cannon Falls, MN

Local Family Law Representation, Rooted in Goodhue County

Our office is here in Cannon Falls. Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. operates a staffed physical location in the community, and we handle family law matters for individuals and families throughout Goodhue County. Whether you’re navigating a divorce, a custody dispute, or a support modification, you work directly with our attorneys from start to finish. No handoffs, no delays waiting on someone hours away.

Our practice covers the full range of family law matters: divorce and dissolution of marriage, child custody and parenting time, child support, property division, spousal maintenance, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, orders for protection, and paternity. Every situation is different, and we build our approach around your specific goals rather than a standard template.

If you’re facing a family law matter in Cannon Falls or anywhere in Goodhue County, contact our office at (651) 369-7749 to schedule a consultation.

Family Law Matters We Handle in Cannon Falls

Our attorneys litigate and mediate contentious divorces, and we represent clients in disputes over child custody and visitation. We handle child support matters, property division in divorce proceedings, and orders for protection. The scope of any given matter shapes our approach, and we bring the same direct client involvement to each one.

Minnesota is a no-fault divorce state, meaning dissolution can be granted on grounds of irretrievable breakdown without assigning fault to either party. Property division follows equitable distribution principles rather than a strict 50/50 split, and spousal maintenance isn’t automatic. Courts weigh factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Understanding how these rules apply to your specific circumstances matters early.

Child custody decisions in Minnesota are governed by the best interests of the child standard. Courts distinguish between legal custody (decision-making authority over matters like education and health care) and physical custody (where the child lives). Parenting time schedules can be set by agreement or by court order, and modifications require a demonstrated substantial change in circumstances.

Why Cannon Falls Families Choose Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A.

Our team brings over 65 years of combined legal experience across family law, tax law, estate planning, business law, and real estate law. Attorney Scott Jones is based at our Cannon Falls office with Minnesota State Bar-listed practice areas that include Family Law, Divorce, Guardianship, and Litigation. Two attorneys at the firm have been selected to the Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.

We take a collaborative approach: sitting down with you, understanding what matters most, and building a strategy that reflects your situation rather than a standard playbook. When matters involve business assets, property with tax implications, or estate considerations that surface during a divorce, founding attorney Mike Kennedy’s background in business ownership and IRS experience gives us depth many family law practices don’t offer. Clients who need coordinated guidance across family, tax, or estate matters don’t need to engage separate firms.

Divorce in Cannon Falls, Minnesota

For Cannon Falls residents, divorce proceedings are filed in Goodhue County District Court, located in Red Wing, MN, which is part of Minnesota’s First Judicial District. Minnesota law requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for 180 days before filing. From there, the process depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.

Contested divorces involve disputes over property, custody, support, or maintenance that require court intervention. Uncontested divorces move faster when spouses agree on all terms. Mediation is commonly used in Minnesota to help parties reach agreement outside of a courtroom, and our attorneys represent clients in both settings. We litigate when necessary and pursue negotiated resolution when that better serves the client’s goals.

Child Custody & Parenting Time in Minnesota

We advocate for clients in custody and parenting time disputes with a focus on approaches that reflect the child’s needs and our client’s relationship with their child. Attorney Scott Jones’s practice areas include Guardianship alongside Family Law and Divorce, which is relevant in matters where a minor child needs legal representation or a formally appointed guardian.

Courts evaluate custody using the best interests standard, weighing each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s individual needs, and the ability of the parents to cooperate. Relocation requests that would affect an existing parenting time arrangement are subject to court review. When circumstances change substantially after an order is entered, either party can seek a modification.

Child Support & Spousal Maintenance

Minnesota calculates child support using a statutory formula that accounts for both parents’ incomes, the number of overnights with each parent, and costs for child care and health insurance. The formula provides a baseline, but deviations are possible when circumstances warrant.

Spousal maintenance is discretionary. Courts consider the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and the standard of living established during the marriage, among other factors. Either party may seek modification of support or maintenance when there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant income change or job loss.

Prenuptial Agreements, Paternity & Orders for Protection

Our family law practice in Cannon Falls also covers prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, paternity actions, and orders for protection. Under Minnesota law, prenuptial agreements must be in writing, signed by both parties in the presence of two witnesses and acknowledged before an authorized officer, and entered into with full financial disclosure to be enforceable.

Paternity actions establish the legal father-child relationship, which affects custody, parenting time, child support, and inheritance rights. Orders for protection provide legal protection from domestic abuse and can restrict contact, require a party to vacate a shared residence, and address temporary custody and support arrangements. Guardianship proceedings may also arise in family law contexts where a minor child needs a formally appointed guardian outside of a standard custody proceeding.

Continue Reading Read Less

The Kennedy & Ruhsam Philosophy

Years of Experience
Our team has 65+ years of combined experience.
Committed to Excellence
Choosing a lawyer shouldn’t be taken lightly. Committed to serving your specific situation, Kennedy & Ruhsam Law is committed to you.
Honest Communication
We understand legalities can be overwhelming, but we’re here to provide prompt and skillful services based on communication.
The Law Comes First
The attorneys offer full-service representation on a wide range of legal issues.

How We Approach Family Law in Goodhue County

We work directly with each client throughout the legal process. That means you know who is handling your matter, what the strategy is, and what comes next. We represent clients in both negotiated and litigated settings because the right approach depends on the facts, the relationships involved, and what outcome the client actually needs. Some matters settle through mediation. Others require assertive court advocacy. We’re prepared for both.

Our practice serves clients in Cannon Falls and throughout Goodhue County. Family law issues are rarely isolated, and our team’s depth across tax, estate planning, and business law means we can address complexity without sending clients to another firm.

Credentials & Professional Recognition

The team at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. brings over 65 years of combined experience across family law, tax law, estate planning, business law, and real estate law. Two of our attorneys have been selected to the Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists. Scott Ruhsam appears on the Super Lawyers list under Tax, Estate and Trust Litigation and Estate Planning and Probate. That cross-practice recognition reflects the integrated approach we bring to complex matters, including those that begin as family law cases and expand into estate or tax territory.

Our Cannon Falls Office

Attorney Scott Jones works from our Cannon Falls location with practice areas that include Family Law, Divorce, Guardianship, and Litigation. Clients can meet with their attorney locally rather than traveling to a metro-area firm. Our Eagan office provides additional attorney resources, and both locations work together to support clients across related matters.

Schedule a Consultation with a Family Lawyer in Cannon Falls

If you’re dealing with a divorce, custody dispute, support issue, or any other family law matter in Cannon Falls or Goodhue County, we can review your situation, identify the legal issues, and discuss practical options built around your goals.

Contact Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. at (651) 369-7749 to schedule your initial consultation.

Mediation & Negotiated Resolution in Family Law

Not every family law matter needs to be resolved in a courtroom. Minnesota courts may require mediation before contested matters proceed to trial, and many clients benefit from pursuing agreement outside of court when it’s achievable. Mediation is a confidential process where a neutral third party helps the parties work through custody, support, and property issues. Negotiated settlements can reduce costs, preserve co-parenting relationships, and give both parties more control over the outcome than a court judgment allows.

We represent clients in both mediation and litigation. Our role is to build a strategy aligned to your situation, whether that means pursuing a negotiated resolution or advocating in Goodhue County District Court.

When Family Law & Estate Planning Intersect

Divorce often triggers estate planning needs that clients don’t anticipate. Under Minnesota law, a divorce automatically revokes provisions in a will that benefit a former spouse. Beneficiary designations on financial accounts and insurance policies, however, must be updated separately; they don’t change automatically upon dissolution. Powers of attorney and health care directives may also need revision to reflect your changed circumstances.

When a divorce involves business assets or inherited property, the distinction between marital and non-marital property under Minnesota law can significantly affect how assets are divided. Our firm handles estate planning, trusts, wills, and probate alongside family law, so clients can address both areas with one team. That coordination matters most in matters involving complex assets, and founding attorney Mike Kennedy’s background in business ownership and IRS work gives us a practical foundation for those situations.

Goodhue County District Court & Family Law Filings

Family law proceedings for Cannon Falls residents are filed in Goodhue County District Court, located in Red Wing. The court is part of Minnesota’s First Judicial District and holds original jurisdiction over divorce, custody, support, and related matters filed by county residents. Familiarity with local court procedures and expectations is a practical advantage, and our team serves clients throughout Goodhue County on an ongoing basis.

Getting Started with a Family Attorney in Cannon Falls

The first step is a conversation. When you contact our office, we can discuss the facts of your situation, identify the legal issues at play, and outline possible approaches. Coming prepared with relevant documents such as financial records, existing court orders, or parenting history helps us give you more precise guidance from the start.

Our Cannon Falls office serves residents of Cannon Falls and surrounding Goodhue County communities. Reach out by phone at (651) 369-7749 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Continue Reading Read Less

Contact Us Today

Legal matters can be daunting, but at Kennedy & Ruhsam Law, we offer peace-of-mind when it comes to your time, money and family.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Our Reviews

Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. strives for client satisfaction! We have many happy clients who would love to share their stories with you. Take a look and read all of our testimonials below.

“I highly recommend Kennedy & Rusham Law Offices.”
“I highly recommend Kennedy & Rusham Law Offices”

- Jayne B.
“We have always appreciated your assistance.”
We have always appreciated your assistance with our business matters and also neighborhood guidance.

- Former Client
“These guys are great, saved me $20,000 in the first 15 minutes.”
These guys are great, saved me $20,000 in the first 15 minutes.

- Dean S.

View All Reviews