§ 518.005 — Rules Governing Proceedings; Formal Requirements; Fee
Plain-Language Summary
Sets out the basic rules for how divorce, legal separation, and annulment cases work in court, including how papers are titled, what pleadings are called, and the $50 filing fee that must be paid.
518.005 RULES GOVERNING PROCEEDINGS; FORMAL REQUIREMENTS; FEE.
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Subdivision 1.Applicable.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, the Rules of Civil Procedure for the district court apply to all proceedings under this chapter. §
Subd. 2.Title.
A proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or annulment shall be entitled “In re the Marriage of ………. and ………. .” A custody or support proceeding shall be entitled “In re the (Custody) (Support) of ………. .” §
Subd. 3.Names of pleadings.
The initial pleading in all proceedings under this chapter shall be denominated a petition. A responsive pleading shall be denominated an answer. Other pleadings shall be denominated as provided in the Rules of Civil Procedure. §
Subd. 4.Decree; judgment.
In this chapter and chapter 518A, “decree” includes “judgment.” §
Subd. 5.Prohibited disclosure.
In all proceedings under this chapter and chapter 518A in which public assistance is assigned under section 518A.81 or the public authority provides services to a party or parties to the proceedings, the public authority shall not release private data on the location of a party to the action or the joint child if:
(1) the public authority has knowledge that one party is currently subject to a protective order with respect to the other party or the joint child and the protected party or guardian of the joint child has not authorized disclosure; or
(2) the public authority has reason to believe that the release of the information may result in physical or emotional harm to a party or the joint child. §
Subd. 6.Filing fee.
The first paper filed for a party in all proceedings for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or annulment or proceedings to establish child support obligations shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $50. The fee is in addition to any other prescribed by law or rule.
History:
1978 c 772 s 16; 1979 c 50 s 66,67; 1979 c 259 s 3; 1997 c 203 art 6 s 35; 2005 c 164 s 3,29; 1Sp2005 c 7 s 28; 2006 c 280 s 9; 1Sp2020 c 2 art 5 s 92; 2024 c 80 art 8 s 68
History: History: 1978 c 772 s 16; 1979 c 50 s 66,67; 1979 c 259 s 3; 1997 c 203 art 6 s 35; 2005 c 164 s 3,29; 1Sp2005 c 7 s 28; 2006 c 280 s 9; 1Sp2020 c 2 art 5 s 92; 2024 c 80 art 8 s 68