Water Well Regulation in Minnesota
February 6, 2014 | Joan M. QuadeThe majority of Minnesotans rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water, and more than one million Minnesotans have private wells. In Anoka County, 30{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3} of residents are served with water through a private well on their property. In order to ensure public safety and the protection of precious water resources for the large number of Minnesotans who rely on well water, the Minnesota Department of Health (“MDH”) is tasked with the regulation of the construction of new wells, private or public, as well as the inspection of all existing wells and the sealing of unused wells. Understanding the rules which govern water wells in Minnesota is important not only to ensure that your well is up to code and your water is clean and safe, but also to provide guidance when it is time to sell your home. Minnesota Rules chapter 4725, otherwise known as the Minnesota Well Code, and Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103I govern the requirements and restrictions regarding wells in Minnesota. Normally, the MDH monitors wells statewide, however, some cities and counties have assumed some of the responsibility for regulating well regulation themselves, such as the City of Bloomington, the City of Minneapolis, and several counties including Blue Earth, Dakota, Goodhue, LeSueur, Olmstead, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona. Anoka…
Read MoreExpanded Heating Assistance Now Available in Minnesota
February 5, 2014 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.As many in our community are all too aware, the price of heating our homes is skyrocketing this winter. Our Real Estate Attorneys would like to share this important link with information regarding heating assistance to those in need. Governor Dayton Expands heating Assistance Program to Help More Minnesotans
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference between Legal Separation and Divorce in Minnesota?
February 3, 2014 | Elizabeth A. SchadingThere is plenty of confusion about the terms “legal separation” and “divorce”, simply because the terms are misused so often. These assumptions may lead people to make mistakes that can affect their family law case later. You can “separate” from your spouse simply by moving out of the home. When this happens, you’re still married and you aren’t filing any paperwork with the courts. How you handle your bills, assets, and child-rearing responsibility is up to you—it’s still a marital matter, even though one spouse is not living in the home. If you want to end a separation you’d simply move back into the home. It is not necessary for you to do this before you get a divorce. In fact, in Minnesota, there can be significant consequences for moving out of the marital home while seeking a divorce. What kinds of consequences? The biggest consequence can be that it will tell the court that you are making certain assumptions about who should live in the marital home and be the primary parent. It may be difficult to go back on those assumptions later if you want to stay in the marital home or take sole custody of your children. If you are desperate to get out of a contentious situation you will…
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