Best Family Lawyer in Minneapolis
Eugene Sherayzen, Esq.
Family Lawyer
Eugene Sherayzen is the founder and owner of Sherayzen Law Office, PLLC. Since 2005, Mr. Sherayzen has helped hundreds of individuals and companies to solve their personal and business problems related to US and International Tax Compliance, Offshore Voluntary Disclosures, and International Tax & Estate Planning.
Mr. Sherayzen primarily practices in the areas of U.S. and international business and tax law. His main areas of concentration include International Tax Compliance, Offshore Voluntary Disclosures and International Tax & Estate Planning.
Mr. Sherayzen is highly experienced in such complex areas as: IRS OVDP (Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program) with its new offshoots of Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures and Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), FBARs (Report on Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts – Form TD F 90-22.1), PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Company – Form 8621), FDE (Foreign Disregarded Entity – Form 8858), U.S. Ownership of Foreign Partnerships (Form 8865), U.S. Ownership of Foreign Corporations (Form 5471), Foreign Ownership of U.S. Corporations (Form 5472), and other related forms and regulations.
Mr. Sherayzen regularly engages in complex international and domestic tax planning for businesses and individuals, including such areas as: foreign rental income, gold and other precious metals investments, foreign mutual funds, international corporate tax planning, international partnership tax planning, international tax and estate planning for business owners and high net-worth individuals, and other related areas.
Eric W. Beyer
Family Lawyer
Eric is a partner in the firm and practices in all areas of personal injury law, including wrongful death, car accidents, premises liability, product liability, professional negligence, and workers’ compensation cases. Eric is licensed to practice law in state and federal court in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In 2003, Eric was named an “Up and Coming Attorney” by Minnesota Lawyer. This award was an honor bestowed upon a select group of attorneys who had distinguished themselves within their first 10 years of practice.
Eric was first named a Minnesota Super Lawyers® honoree in 2019 and has been selected to this prestigious group of lawyers every year since. Super Lawyers honorees are chosen from an annual survey, a distinction bestowed on less than 5% of Minnesota’s practicing attorneys. Previously, Eric was also recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” honoree six times.
The Minnesota Supreme Court appointed Eric to the Commission on Judicial Selection for the 6th Judicial District in 2023. This appointment further recognizes Eric’s prominence in the Northland legal community
Kristine Jean Zajac
Family Lawyer
Attorney Austin Miller primarily focuses on divorce, child custody, and child support cases and received Guardian ad Litem training through Ozaukee County. He has ample experience handling high-conflict divorces and post-judgment cases ranging from child support to full-scale custody and placement evaluations. Through hard work and dedication, he strives to make a positive impact on his client’s lives, their family, and the community.
Austin received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. During law school, he worked as a student attorney for the Winnebago County District Attorney’s office, where he learned the intricacies of the courtroom. He went on to work at Kaplan Law Firm, S.C., a family law firm, for nearly two years.
Never one to shy away from difficult cases, Austin worked on cases involving abuse allegations, restraining orders, and termination of parental rights. He has also assisted in arranging step-parent adoptions. No matter how difficult the case, if it means protecting client’s children and families, Austin is prepared to go the extra mile for his clients.
To Austin, nothing replaces hard work and preparation, and every one of his clients deserves the same level of excellence. His overriding goal is to be a source of stability and strength in some of the stormiest moments in his client’s lives. Ultimately, he hopes that you leave a meeting with him feeling more hopeful.
Xavier Martine
Family Lawyer
In 2019, I created a law firm with a clear vision: a place where we fight tirelessly to protect people caught in a sometimes-unfair legal system. My firm is known for giving the red-carpet treatment to every client, no matter their background or situation. This commitment to excellent service and justice is meant to set a new standard in legal representation.
Family is at the heart of my world. I find great fulfillment in helping parents stay in their children’s lives and ensuring justice for all. My personal experiences allow me to connect with clients on a deeper level, making me a strong advocate in both criminal defense and family law.
We have built a team of hard-hitting advocates – people who are passionate about helping their clients and aren’t afraid to take the gloves off. Our law firm reflects my core values: integrity, compassion, and a strong resolve to serve. Every day I go to work proud of our firm and the people we help. I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve my community.
RHIA BORNMANN
Family Lawyer
Rhia Bornmann Spears is an experienced Family Law lawyer who practices in all areas of family law and in all Minnesota counties.
Her focus is on helping families with the difficult issues that arise with divorce, unwed parents, establishing custody, legal separation, parenting time, child custody matters, child support or any other family law matters that may arise. She is also frequently called on to take Order for Protection and Harassment Restraining Order matters related to domestic violence or harassment on short notice, then able to provide her client with a successful outcome.
Ms. Spears is a skilled negotiator as well as a strong advocate.
She is also trained in mediation; both Family Law Mediation and General Mediation. She is a registered Mediator in Minnesota and is listed on the Supreme Court Roster of Neutrals Rule 114.
Ms. Spears passionately believes in working with her clients to serve the best interests of the children involved. Oftentimes, the best gift she can give to the parties includes the tools to improve their long term relationships for the benefit of the children involved. Studies show parents fighting is what causes the children the long term stress, not the divorce itself.
Randall A. Smith
Family Lawyer
Managing Attorney Randall A. Smith is the founder of Lake Harriet Law Office, LLC. Mr. Smith earned his B.A. from Hamline University, his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School, and his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas. His practice is limited exclusively to Divorce and Family Law cases in Minnesota. Mr. Smith is also licensed in United States Tax Court. Mr. Smith is a Rule 114 Neutral on 3 different rosters (Mediation, FENE and SENE).
His 26 years of extensive practice experience includes Divorce cases involving Financial Matters such as the Division and Valuation of Assets (Real Estate, Brokerage Accounts, Retirement Accounts, Pensions, Partnerships, Intellectual Property, Businesses, Stocks and Collectibles), the Division and Valuation of Debts, Calculations involving the Tracing of Non-Marital Assets, Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) cases, Present Value Calculations, Regression Analysis, Hidden Assets and Forensic Accounting, Depletion and Dissipation of Assets, Cash Flow Algorithms and Schedules, Marital Lifestyle Analysis, Prenuptial (Antenuptial) Agreements, Tax Issues and other Financial Matters related to Divorce and Family Law cases.
Mr. Smith also has extensive experience representing clients in Child Custody, Child Support and Parenting Time cases, as well as Family Law Appeals and Complex Divorce and Family Law Cases. He represents clients in contested matters, high conflict cases, and high net worth cases. In contested cases involving children, it is sometimes necessary to have a custody evaluation performed (typically by a therapist or social worker) to address the best interest factors. In some cases, parents work with a neutral child specialist, or other provider, to create a parenting plan in the best interests of the children.
He is actively involved in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and he conducts family Mediation sessions and Early Neutral Evaluations (both Social and Financial) in Family Law and Divorce cases throughout the Twin Cities; Mr. Smith is on several different SENE and FENE rosters across the Twin Cities.
ANETA KATARZYNA LENNARTSON, ESQ.
Family Lawyer
Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN Juris Doctor
- MN Rule 114 Certification for Civil Facilitative (Mediator) & Hybrid & Civil Adjudicative/Evaluative
- Neutral (Arbitrator)
- Licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota
Activities
- Journal of Public Law and Policy Associate and Symposium Editor
- (International Symposium, entitled The 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, A Reality Check)
- Vice President of the International Law Student Association
- Co-Chair of Alternative Dispute Resolution Chapter
Activities
- President and University Founder of of Toastmasters International Club
- Vice-President of Student Government
Awards and Honors
- Graduated with highest honors from NLU
- President’s Scholarship for Distinguished Service to the School
- Recipient of the Jerzy Dietl Merit Award for Academic Excellence and Community Service granted by Educational Fund of Enterprise
- NLU Honorary Scholarships based on academic achievement and leadership
- Dean’s List all semesters
Brian Flakne
Family Lawyer
Brian Flakne has been practicing law in Minnesota since 1981. During that time, he has concentrated his practice in the areas of family law, criminal defense and real development. Brian has also been involved in complex civil cases, business planning and general litigation.
Dedication to the full range of client needs has been the hallmark of Brian’s 43 years as a lawyer. Brian has tried cases in both state and federal court. He has argued cases to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and represented clients in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Brian has the distinction of having represented plaintiffs in three successful class actions.
For many years, Brian was a panel member and investigator on the Ethics Committee for the Fourth District, working to ensure that lawyers in this community observed the highest standards of professional behavior.
In addition to his private law practice, Brian is General Counsel for Lupe Development Partners, LLC. In 2023 Brian was awarded the In House Counsel of the Year for his work with Lupe. As General Counsel, Brian directs contract negotiations, environmental review, financial and insurance underwriting and the professional and governmental compliance aspects of these real estate development companies.
Brian’s extensive legal background has been a significant asset for various real estate projects that have been developed over 1500 living units in the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, including the Stone Arch Apartments (221 units), Stone Arch 2 Apartments (90 units) Mill City Quarter (140 units), East Side Apartments (114 units) Lake Street Dwelling (124 units), The Lago (140 units), the Flats at Malcom Yards (120 units) and many others. Many of these projects include tax credit based affordable housing for underserved communities
Child Care Right of First Refusal in the USA
The “Right of First Refusal” is a term often included in child custody agreements in the United States. This provision plays a crucial role in how childcare responsibilities are managed between divorced or separated parents. Understanding this concept can help parents maximize their time with their children and ensure that the child’s best interests are prioritized.
1. What is the Right of First Refusal?
- Definition: The Right of First Refusal is a clause in a child custody agreement that requires a parent to offer the other parent the opportunity to care for their child before seeking third-party childcare during their scheduled parenting time.
- Purpose: The main goal of this provision is to allow the child to spend as much time as possible with their parents rather than with a babysitter or in daycare, thereby reinforcing the parent-child bond.
2. How It Works
- Notification Requirement: When a parent cannot care for the child during their allotted time due to work, travel, or personal commitments, they must notify the other parent. The other parent then has the right to accept or decline the offer to take over childcare during that period.
- Advance Notice: Typically, the agreement will specify how much notice must be given. This can vary, but it often includes a minimum time frame, such as 24 to 48 hours’ notice.
- Frequency and Duration: The agreement may also outline specific conditions under which the right is triggered, such as if the absence lasts more than a certain number of hours or overnight.
3. Benefits of the Right of First Refusal
- Increased Parental Involvement: This provision encourages greater involvement from both parents, allowing them to spend more quality time with their child.
- Consistency for the Child: It provides more stability and consistency for the child, who benefits from being with a parent rather than a third-party caregiver.
- Reduced Childcare Costs: Parents may also save on childcare costs by utilizing this arrangement, as the other parent steps in instead of hiring outside help.
4. Potential Challenges
- Logistical Issues: Coordinating schedules can sometimes be challenging, particularly if the parents live far apart or have demanding jobs.
- Disagreements: Conflicts may arise if one parent frequently declines the offer or if the terms of the right are not clearly defined in the custody agreement.
- Enforcement: If one parent consistently ignores the right of first refusal, legal intervention may be necessary to enforce the terms of the custody agreement.
5. Including the Right of First Refusal in a Custody Agreement
- Legal Consultation: Parents should consult with a family law attorney to ensure that the right of first refusal is clearly outlined in their custody agreement. The attorney can help draft the terms to suit the specific needs of the family.
- Tailoring the Provision: The provision should be tailored to the unique circumstances of the parents, considering factors such as work schedules, the distance between homes, and the child’s needs.
Conclusion
The Right of First Refusal is a valuable tool in child custody arrangements that promotes increased parental involvement and prioritizes the child’s well-being. By understanding how this provision works and ensuring it is properly included in a custody agreement, parents can better manage their responsibilities and maintain a strong, supportive relationship with their child.