Nygaard and Longe Law Office

For fathers in Minnesota navigating the complexities of divorce, child custody, and other family law matters, finding legal representation that truly understands and champions their unique concerns is essential. Within the "Nearby Lawyers" category, Nygaard and Longe Law Office stands out as a highly specialized and long-established firm dedicated specifically to protecting the rights of fathers. Operating under the well-known service mark "Divorce for Dads," this office has been a pioneering force in family law for over three decades, providing zealous advocacy to ensure fathers maintain strong relationships with their children. This detailed introduction will objectively outline the firm's environment, the specific services it offers, its distinguishing features, and any available promotional information, all based on publicly accessible internet resources.

The environment of Nygaard and Longe Law Office, also known as "Divorce for Dads," is specifically tailored to address the sensitive and often emotionally charged nature of family law cases, particularly those involving fathers' rights. The office is conveniently located at 2588 Rice Street in Little Canada, Minnesota. This strategic location in the Edgewater Town Office Park, easily accessible from major highways (approximately 0.7 miles north of Highway 36 on the east side of Rice Street, and 1.8 miles south of Interstate 694), ensures it is truly "nearby" for clients across the Twin Cities metropolitan area and central and southern Minnesota. As an established law office since 1989, the environment is professional, organized, and designed to facilitate confidential discussions. The firm is sensitive to the concerns of fathers who wish to maintain a strong relationship with their children during and after marital dissolution or separation, or in paternity cases where parents were never married. This sensitivity suggests an office atmosphere that is both empathetic and supportive, aiming to put clients at ease during what can be one of the most challenging periods of their lives. The firm’s long history indicates a stable and reputable presence, providing a reassuring environment for clients seeking reliable legal counsel.

Nygaard and Longe Law Office's primary area of practice is family law, with a highly specialized and unique focus on representing fathers. This specialization allows them to possess an in-depth understanding of the specific challenges and biases fathers may face in the family court system. The core services offered by the firm include:

• Divorce Representation: The firm guides fathers through the entire divorce process, from initial filing to final dissolution. They work to protect their clients' financial interests and ensure fair property division.

• Child Custody: A significant focus for the firm is advocating for fathers in child custody disputes. They strive for outcomes that allow fathers to maintain a strong and meaningful relationship with their children. The firm explicitly states its belief that joint physical custody is generally better for children and is prepared to argue vigorously for this arrangement, or for sole physical custody when appropriate, even disagreeing with presumptions against joint physical custody in Minnesota law. They are familiar with various psychological studies supporting the benefits of joint custody.

• Parenting Time (Visitation): Nygaard and Longe Law Office assists fathers in establishing and enforcing fair and consistent parenting time schedules, ensuring they have ample opportunity to be involved in their children's lives. They combat the perception that a father might be relegated to merely being a "visitor with a paycheck."

• Child Support: The firm represents fathers in child support matters, working to ensure that support orders are equitable and based on accurate financial information. They aim to prevent fathers from being unfairly burdened or losing financial stability due to support obligations.

• Paternity Cases: For parents who were never married, the firm handles paternity actions to establish legal fatherhood, which is crucial for asserting custody, parenting time, and support rights.

• Contested Custody Cases: The attorneys are experienced in handling highly contested custody cases, providing guidance and insights to male clients with the goal of achieving the best possible results. They are familiar with the gender bias that can exist in the Family Court system and prepare clients for custody evaluations, which judges and referees often rely on heavily.

• Custody Evaluations Guidance: Recognizing the importance of custody evaluations, the firm guides clients through this process, providing information on issues that have historically been important in achieving favorable evaluations.

• Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: While they are prepared for litigation, the firm also recognizes the value of amicable resolution when possible, particularly for the sake of the children involved.

• Protection of Father-Child Relationships: At the heart of their services is a deep commitment to preserving and fostering the bond between fathers and their children during and after legal separations.

The distinguishing features of Nygaard and Longe Law Office are numerous and underscore their unique position within the family law landscape. Most notably, they are the oldest established father's rights law office in the State of Minnesota, a testament to their pioneering role and long-standing commitment. Established in 1989 by partners Mark Nygaard and Mark A. Longe, the firm boasts over 55 years of combined experience specifically in family law. This extensive experience translates into deep legal knowledge and familiarity with the nuances of Minnesota's family court system. The firm has successfully litigated hundreds of cases for fathers across the Twin Cities area and central and southern Minnesota, demonstrating a strong track record of success. Their advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, as their attorneys have actively participated in volunteer lobbying at the Minnesota state legislature. This involvement in legislative efforts highlights their dedication to shaping laws that benefit fathers and further protect their rights, going beyond individual case representation. Furthermore, they conduct free legal clinics for fathers, showcasing a commitment to community education and providing accessible legal guidance to those who might otherwise struggle to obtain it. The firm has also registered the service mark "Divorce for Dads," which clearly communicates their specialized focus and brand identity. They are a BBB Accredited Business, indicating their commitment to upholding BBB Standards for Trust and providing a reliable service. Their philosophy challenges the "winner takes all" system in family court, believing it can encourage conflict, and instead advocate for joint custody arrangements as generally being better for children. They are also aware of potential gender bias within the family court system with regard to custody awards and offer guidance to their male clients accordingly, while also having experience winning contested custody cases for mothers when applicable. This deep understanding of potential systemic issues within family law allows them to provide more targeted and effective representation.

The promotional information from Nygaard and Longe Law Office consistently reinforces their specialization, experience, and commitment to fathers. While traditional "sales" or discounts are not applicable to legal services, their promotional strategies focus on building trust and making their unique expertise known to their target audience. Key promotional elements include:

• Specialized Branding ("Divorce for Dads"): The prominent use of the "Divorce for Dads" service mark is a powerful promotional tool, immediately communicating their niche expertise and appealing directly to fathers seeking family law representation.

• Emphasis on Experience and Longevity: Highlighting "over fifty-five years of combined experience" and being the "oldest established father's rights law office" are strong promotional points that convey reliability and deep knowledge.

• Client-Focused Language: Phrases like "sensitive to the concerns of fathers" and "zealous advocacy for fathers" directly address the needs and emotional state of their target clients, fostering a sense of understanding and support.

• Demonstrated Success: Although specific case outcomes are not always detailed for privacy, the firm promotes having "achieved successful results in hundreds of cases for fathers," indicating a strong track record.

• Accessibility and Community Outreach: The mention of conducting "free legal clinics for fathers" and volunteer lobbying efforts promotes the firm's dedication to the community and their mission beyond just billable hours, enhancing their public image and trustworthiness.

• Comprehensive Contact Information: Easy access to their telephone number (651.641.0694), facsimile, and direct email addresses for both partners (mnygaard@mndivorcefordads.com and mlonge@mndivorcefordads.com) makes it simple for prospective clients to reach out.

• Online Presence: Their dedicated website, mndivorcefordads.com, serves as a central hub for information, promoting their services and expertise directly to their target audience.

• BBB Accreditation: Being a BBB Accredited Business serves as an external validation of their commitment to ethical business practices, building consumer confidence.

• Payment Options: The acceptance of various payment methods (Cash, Check, Credit Card including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa) adds to client convenience.

In conclusion, for local users searching the "Nearby Lawyers" category with a specific need for family law representation as a father, Nygaard and Longe Law Office (operating as "Divorce for Dads") is an exceptionally strong and specialized option. Their long-standing history since 1989, combined with over five decades of collective experience in family law, particularly advocating for fathers' rights, sets them apart. Operating from an accessible office in Little Canada, they offer comprehensive services for divorce, custody, parenting time, and child support, all delivered with sensitivity and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by fathers. Their distinguishing features include legislative advocacy and free legal clinics, while their promotional efforts highlight their specialization, proven success, and unwavering commitment to preserving the crucial father-child relationship.