Fathers' Rights Lawyer in Eagan

Support For Fathers When Everything Feels Uncertain

When your relationship with your children and your financial future are both on the line, it is hard to know what to do next. As a father, you might be worried that Minnesota courts will not see your role clearly or fairly. If you are looking for a fathers' rights attorney in Eagan to guide you through custody, parenting time, or support issues, you are in the right place.

At Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., we help fathers in Eagan and across Minnesota navigate difficult family changes with a clear plan. Our attorneys bring more than 65 years of combined experience to family law, and we work directly with our clients so they understand each step of the process. Our goal is to protect your relationship with your children and help you make practical decisions about your future.

Seek experienced assistance from a qualified fathers’ rights attorney in Eagan. Call (651) 369-7749 or contact us right away to secure your consultation.

Why Fathers Choose Our Firm

Fathers who contact us are often worried that their voice will be lost in the family court system. We take that concern seriously. At Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., we listen carefully to your goals, your history with your children, and your financial picture, then we build a legal strategy around your specific situation. You will not be handed off without explanation, and you can expect clear communication about what is happening and why.

Our attorneys have over 65 years of combined legal experience, and family law is a significant part of our work for individuals and families across Minnesota. Because we also handle tax law, business law, real estate, probate, and estate planning, we understand how a divorce or custody case can affect many parts of your life. For many fathers, this means we can help them see how child support, property division, and future planning all fit together.

Founding partner Mike Kennedy brings a background in business ownership, IRS work, and financial matters. This experience can be especially valuable for fathers with complex income, business interests, or significant assets. We draw on this financial knowledge when analyzing proposed support obligations, property settlements, or tax consequences, so you can make informed choices instead of quick decisions that are hard to change later.

We also recognize that most fathers want a solution that works in real life, not just on paper. Our team works to reach practical outcomes that support meaningful parenting time and workable schedules, and that allow you to continue to meet your financial obligations. When court involvement is necessary, we prepare with you so that your concerns and your role as a parent are presented clearly and respectfully.

Fathers Rights Issues We Handle

Every father’s situation is different, but many share the same core questions. How much time will I have with my children? Who will make important decisions about their lives? What will child support look like, and can I afford it? Our role is to guide you through these questions within the framework of Minnesota law.

One of the central issues is custody and parenting time. Minnesota courts focus on the best interests of the child, which usually includes strong, ongoing relationships with both parents when it is safe and appropriate. We help fathers present information about their involvement, such as daily routines, school activities, medical appointments, and other ways they care for their children. The goal is to pursue parenting time arrangements that reflect your role, your schedule, and your children’s needs.

Paternity is another important area for many fathers who were not married to the child’s mother. Establishing legal paternity can affect rights to parenting time, decision-making, and support. We assist fathers with paternity actions, including the steps needed to formally establish parentage so that legal rights and responsibilities are clear. Once paternity is established, we can help you seek appropriate parenting time and address child support.

Financial issues are closely connected to fathers’ rights. Child support and, in some cases, spousal maintenance are determined under Minnesota law, but the details can be complex when there are business interests, variable income, or significant assets. Our firm’s experience with tax and business law allows us to review income sources, business records, and property holdings in a detailed way. We then work with you to understand how different proposals would affect your monthly budget, your long-term plans, and your ability to meet your obligations.

We also handle post-decree matters when life circumstances change. A new work schedule, relocation, changes in a child’s needs, or shifts in income may support a request to modify parenting time or support orders. Our attorneys help fathers evaluate whether a modification request is realistic under Minnesota standards, then pursue adjustments that better reflect current circumstances when appropriate.

What To Expect In A Minnesota Case

Understanding the general process can make things feel more manageable. A fathers' rights case in Minnesota often begins with a consultation where we discuss your goals, background, and concerns. If you decide to move forward, we typically file or respond to court documents that start the legal case involving custody, parenting time, support, or paternity. For fathers living in Eagan, many matters are heard in Dakota County District Court, although specific details depend on where the family resides and where earlier orders were entered.

After filing, the court commonly addresses temporary arrangements so that there is a structure in place while the case is pending. This might include temporary parenting time schedules and interim support. During this period, we work with you to gather information about your parenting history, your finances, and any special issues such as medical needs or school concerns. We also talk through your priorities so that you understand the range of possible outcomes.

Most Minnesota family law cases involve some form of negotiation or alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation. We prepare you for these sessions by explaining the legal standards that apply and helping you think through possible proposals before you sit down at the table. Our role is to advocate for your interests while helping you evaluate whether suggested terms are realistic for your life and sustainable over time. If agreements are reached, they are typically submitted to the court for approval and entry as orders.

Some cases require court hearings or a trial, particularly when parents strongly disagree about custody, parenting time, or specific financial questions. In these situations, we plan carefully with you about how to present your involvement as a father, your concerns about the children, and the practical realities of your schedule and finances. The court will generally weigh multiple factors, including the children’s needs, each parent’s history of care, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent.

Steps you can take right now to protect your position:

• Keep a simple record of your time and activities with your children.
• Communicate with the other parent in writing when possible and stay respectful.
• Avoid making major decisions or agreements without first understanding the legal impact.
• Gather basic financial information, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and business records.
• Contact our firm early so we can discuss strategy before problems escalate.

How A Local Lawyer Helps Fathers

Family law is shaped by state statutes, but local practices and expectations also matter. Fathers in Eagan often find that their cases are handled through Dakota County District Court, which has its own procedures, timelines, and approaches to scheduling. As a local firm, we are familiar with how cases move through this court system and the kinds of information judges generally expect to see in custody, parenting time, and support disputes.

Being nearby is also practical for you. When an in-person meeting is the best way to review documents, prepare for mediation, or talk through strategy before a hearing, you can meet with our attorneys in Eagan. We also make use of phone and electronic communication when that is more convenient, which can be important for fathers who are balancing work, parenting, and other responsibilities.

Our broader practice can also benefit fathers who are reorganizing other parts of their lives. After a divorce or custody case, many clients need to update wills, beneficiary designations, or real estate arrangements to reflect new circumstances. Because our attorneys handle estate planning, real estate, business law, and tax matters in addition to family law, we can help you coordinate these changes in a thoughtful way instead of addressing them piecemeal.

Our approach recognizes that many families in the Eagan and south metro area will continue to interact for years through school events, activities, and shared parenting responsibilities. We work to protect your rights and pursue fair arrangements while also considering the long term, especially when your children will benefit from parents who can communicate and cooperate. When that is not possible, we still focus on firm advocacy that is grounded in the law and in the facts of your case.

Act fast to connect with an experienced fathers’ rights lawyer in Eagan. Use our online form to begin right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Minnesota Courts Favor Mothers Over Fathers?

Minnesota law does not state a preference for mothers or fathers. Courts look at the best interests of the child, which usually includes strong involvement from both parents when it is safe. We help fathers present clear information about their role so the court can evaluate the full picture.

How Can You Help Me Protect My Parenting Time?

We start by understanding your current involvement and your goals, then we develop a strategy to seek a schedule that reflects that role. This may involve negotiation, mediation, or hearings. Throughout, we work to present your parenting history and practical schedule options in a detailed, organized way.

Will My Work Schedule Hurt My Custody Case?

A demanding work schedule does not automatically limit your parenting time. Courts consider flexibility, support systems, and how a schedule can be structured around your obligations. We help fathers propose realistic plans that account for shifts, travel, or overtime while keeping the children’s needs at the center.

What If I Own A Business Or Have Complex Finances?

Complex finances can affect support and property division, but they can be addressed with careful analysis. Our firm’s background in tax, business, and financial matters allows us to review income streams, business records, and assets in detail, then explain how different proposals would affect your long term financial picture.

How Will Your Team Communicate With Me?

We strive to keep you informed at every stage. You can expect clear explanations of options, timely responses to questions, and direct contact with our attorneys and staff. We use meetings, phone calls, and electronic communication so you can stay engaged in decisions while managing work and family responsibilities.

Talk With Our Family Law Team

If you are a father in Eagan facing questions about custody, parenting time, paternity, or support, you do not have to sort through Minnesota family law on your own. At Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A., we help you understand your options, clarify your goals, and build a path forward that reflects both your role as a parent and your financial reality.

Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience, a strong grounding in tax and business issues, and a collaborative approach that keeps you involved in each decision. We work to protect your relationship with your children while helping you address the practical details of support, property, and long-term planning. The first step is a conversation about where you are now and where you want to be.

To talk with our team about your situation and how a fathers' rights attorney in Eagan can assist you, contact Kennedy & Ruhsam Law Offices, P.A. today.