The Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota

09/03/2026

Why I Became a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert ...
When a marriage ends, the family home can represent far more than property—it holds memories, financial security, and hopes for the future. Shannon Lindstrom shares why she became a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert and how a neutral, informed approach can reduce conflict, protect equity, and bring clarity during divorce.

Read this blog article by Shannon Lindstrom, Realtor® at the Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota Blog | https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/

Author: Shannon Lindstrom, Realtor®, AHWD, CDRE®, GREEN, MILRES, MRP, VCA
RE/MAX Results
Direct: 612-616-9714 | www.ShannonLindstromRealtor.com

08/31/2026

The Losing Strategies: Why We All End Up Part of the Problem

Description: Eight common relationship strategies—venting, being right, shaming, controlling, assuming, covert contracts, retaliation, and withdrawal—can quietly damage a marriage. This article explains how these patterns develop, why they persist, and how recognizing your own behaviors can help break unhealthy cycles, improve communication, and create stronger, more connected relationships.

Read the full article posted at the CLI-MN Blog: https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/

Author Brian Burns, LMFT, MN Relationship Repair
https://www.mnrelationshiprepair.com/

08/18/2026

CLI Blog post
In her recent blog Adjusting the Tension Gay Rosenthal, MA, LP , Psychologist/ Mental Health Professional explores the delicate balance parents face between protecting children and giving them the independence they need to grow into confident, resilient adults. That balance becomes especially challenging during separation or divorce, when family stress and parental conflict can affect children at every developmental stage. From preschool through adolescence, children need stability, appropriate boundaries, positive role models, and the freedom to develop age-appropriate independence. The article examines how parents can create a supportive “holding environment” that provides security without limiting growth. It also highlights how Collaborative Divorce can help parents preserve their shared hopes for their children by providing professional support, improving communication and conflict-resolution skills, and keeping parents focused on their children’s healthy development and long-term well-being.
Author: Gay Rosenthal, MA, LP | https://rosenthal-psychology.com/
Read more at the CLI-MN Blog: https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/

08/05/2026

5 Financial Decisions in Gray Divorce You Can't Take Back
Gray divorce brings financial decisions that are harder to reverse than people expect: not knowing your real post-divorce budget before waiving maintenance, dividing retirement and investment accounts without accounting for the tax bill, deciding to keep the home without running the full numbers, claiming Social Security before modeling the options, and letting beneficiaries and estate documents lag behind the decree. This article walks through five of the most common ones, written for a dual audience — the people going through it, and the attorneys, mediators, and CPAs guiding them. The financial substance here doesn't change based on process. Whether a case is mediated, collaborative, or litigated, these are the details that determine whether a settlement holds up financially five and ten years down the road. Written to support informed decisions regardless of path, not to advocate for one approach over another.

Author: Mike Miller, CFP®, CDFA®, Integra Shield Financial Group
Ph: (763) 201-1390 | www.integrashieldfinancial.com

Article at CLI-MN Blog: https://collaborativelaw.org/gray-divorce-financial-decisions/

07/22/2026

What Will That Low Interest Rate Mortgage Really Cost You?
Author: David Jamison, Rainbow Mortgage, Inc.
www.RainbowMortgageInc.com
Article at Collaborative Law Institute Blog: https://collaborativelaw.org/refinancing-vs-retirement-withdrawal-divorce/
Article Description: Many divorcing homeowners focus on keeping their low mortgage interest rate—but is it really the smartest financial decision? This article explores a common divorce scenario and compares two options: withdrawing retirement savings to avoid refinancing or refinancing at today's higher interest rates. Using real-world numbers, it demonstrates how protecting a 3% mortgage could cost more than $130,000 in lost retirement growth over just five years. The lesson is clear: interest rates are only one piece of the financial picture. Before making a decision that could affect your long-term wealth, understand the true cost of each option and choose based on your overall financial future.

Protecting a low mortgage rate during divorce could cost far more than refinancing—and how to make a smarter long-term financial decision.

07/09/2026

A new article Feel Stuck During Divorce? How Divorce Coaching Can Help Collaborative Divorce has been posted at the CLI Blog https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/

Author: Bridget Leschinsky, CDC Certified Divorce Coach®, Co-Parenting Coach, Mediator, The Bridging Coach, LLC | www.bridgeyourdivorce.com

About the article: Divorce is more than a legal process. It is an emotional one. Learn how divorce coaching can help you navigate the emotional challenges of divorce, communicate more effectively, reduce conflict, and participate more successfully in the Collaborative Divorce process with greater clarity and confidence.

Professional Divorce Mediation in Minneapolis and across Minnesota. Bridget provides compassionate support through separation and divorce.

07/01/2026

A new blog article has just posted at the CLI Blog https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/ by Author Audra Holbeck, Attorney, Mediator, Holbeck Law | Web: http://holbecklaw.com

Blog Description: CLI attorney, mediator Audra Holbeck reflects on why July and Independence Day feel especially meaningful in Minnesota, from warm-weather traditions and outdoor fun to family gatherings, fireworks, cabins, and summer rituals. It then connects those holiday traditions to divorced or separated parents, encouraging them to think creatively about parenting schedules rather than defaulting to an every-other-year arrangement. The main point is that holiday schedules should reflect what matters most to each family, the children’s ages and stages, and each parent’s traditions—so the plan supports real life instead of simply following a standard template. READ MORE… https://collaborativelaw.org/independence-day-and-co-parenting/

06/24/2026

(RE)LEARNING THE SEVEN POWERS OF PLAY – PART 3
A new blog article has just posted at the CLI Blog https://collaborativelaw.org/blog/
Author: Audra Holbeck, Attorney, Mediator, Holbeck Law
Web: http://holbecklaw.com
Description: Collaboration is a skill we begin learning in childhood and one that can transform the divorce process. This article explores how cooperation, respect, and shared problem-solving help couples create better outcomes than litigation, allowing families to move forward with greater dignity, understanding, and long-term success.

06/17/2026

Navigating the House During Divorce in Today's Higher Interest Rate Environment - The Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates...
As mortgage rates remain significantly higher than the historic lows of recent years, divorcing homeowners face new challenges when determining what to do with the marital home. This article explores how rising rates have impacted divorce settlements, why cooperation between spouses is more important than ever, and the four primary options available when equity must be divided. It also discusses Qualifying Name Delete Assumptions (QNDA), refinancing considerations, housing market forecasts, and practical strategies attorneys can use to help clients navigate these increasingly complex mortgage decisions.

Read the full article by author Brett Leschinsky, Sr Mortgage Consultant, Divorce Mortgage Specialist with Resource Mortgage, mortgageforest.com at: https://collaborativelaw.org/navigating_the_house_during_divorce_in_high_interest_environment/

Explore mortgage options during divorce, including refinancing, assumptions, buyouts, and creative strategies for dividing home equity.

06/10/2026

The Good News About Being Part of the Problem-
When relationships struggle, it's easy to focus on your partner's faults. But real change begins when you recognize your own patterns and reactions. This thoughtful article explores how self-awareness, accountability, and clarity can help you break unhealthy cycles, strengthen relationships, and make more confident decisions about the future.
Read the full article posted at the CLI-MN Blog https://collaborativelaw.org/the-good-news-about-being-part-of-the-problem/ by author Brian Burns, LMFT, MN Relationship Repair https://www.mnrelationshiprepair.com/