Child Support for Business Owners Following Haefele v. Haefele

By: Alan Eidsness , Melissa Nilsson , Jaime Driggs | Minnesota Lawyer | November 18, 2013
Child Support, Divorce Settlements

The Supreme Court’s decision in Haefele v. Haefele changed the landscape in child support litigation involving owners of closely-held businesses. Before Haefele, disputes in such cases frequently centered on the availability of the owner’s income. The reason for retaining earnings, degree of control, and true cash flow were always topics of inquiry and debate. After Haefele, these considerations still matter, but not with respect to calculating income and applying the child support guidelines. Family law attorneys Alan C. Eidsness, Melissa J. Nilsson and Jaime Driggs take an in depth look at what the decision means in “Child Support for Business Owners Following Haefele v. Haefele.”

  Originally published for Minnesota Lawyer

Alan Eidsness
With more than four decades of experience, I have a depth of knowledge that gives me clarity, wisdom, and skills that few can match. It’s exciting for me to be at this point in my career and I look forward each day to making a difference in the lives of my clients. I help clients in the following areas: full spectrum of family law issues:...

Melissa Nilsson
I am the calm eye of the storm providing clients with empathy and unwavering confidence to navigate this overwhelming time in their lives. It sounds basic, yet it’s true—helping people is the most rewarding part of my job. I enjoy talking with people and finding common ground to build great relationships. By their own admission, clients are often not the best version of themselves during...

Jaime Driggs
Family law is more than a legal process; it blends personal, emotional, and financial issues. I help you take one step at a time, focusing on what you can do in the moment, while never losing sight of your long term goals. I represent business owners, executives, athletes, politicians, physicians, financial advisors, and other professionals who need a strong advocate to help navigate difficult family...