Family Law

• Divorce
• Child Support
  Under current Minnesota law, child support guidelines are based on the gross income of both parents, as well as the parenting time established. We understand that child support obligations have huge implications for both parents, and we can help ensure that your financial obligations will be calculated appropriately. As circumstances in your life change, they may require modifications to your child support arrangement, so an ongoing relationship with your attorney is key. When a parent fails to make timely child support payments, CC&S can step in and file enforcement actions.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  A Parenting Consultant is a trained neutral who can assist with a variety of parenting disputes related to child custody, visitation schedules and parenting time. Parenting Consultants often work with families on an ongoing basis to resolve conflicts that arise after a divorce. This process is voluntary and both parents must agree to it. One of the most significant benefits to using a Parenting Consultant is that decisions can be reached much quicker than filing motions and arguing them in court. This can be particularly important for time-sensitive issues such as school enrollment.
• Adoption
  Ellen started her practice at Carson, Clelland & Schreder doing criminal prosecution and family law. As her family law practice grew, her time as a prosecutor decreased. Ellen soon became a partner, and the law firm has since been known as Carson, Clelland & Schreder. Ellen now practices solely in the field of family law, and works with all types of family law cases, including but not limited to dissolution, custody and parenting time, post-Decree issues and modifications, third party custody, grandparent visitation, adoptions and step-parent adoptions.
• Paternity
  One of the most critical aspects of divorce involving families with children is where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent.  In determining the type of custody and parenting time, it is often difficult to establish a schedule that meets the needs of each parent and serves the best interests of the children.  In some cases, custody decisions can be decided through mediation. In difficult cases, Court involvement is required. Our attorneys are familiar with the Minnesota Best Interest Standard and will empower you to pursue the solution that is best for you and your family. We can also assist with other legal aspects of custody such as establishing paternity.
• Spousal Support
  When married, partners often combine incomes to support their household. If incomes differ substantially, one spouse may be considered the “supporting spouse” and the other spouse is considered the “dependent spouse.” After a divorce, the supporting spouse may pay spousal maintenance, commonly referred to as alimony, to support the dependent spouse on either a temporary or permanent basis. An award of alimony may also include transfer of title or possession of personal or real property. The attorneys at CC&S are experienced in determining and settling alimony payments, and can provide realistic advice on spousal maintenance.
• Legal Separation
  If you are considering divorce, this can be a scary and emotional time. Often individuals are uncertain what will happen if they proceed with a divorce, and need help to understand their options. Minnesota is a no-fault state, which means that either person can request the Court to end a marriage without providing a reason for doing so. In some circumstances a legal separation may be the best course of action. Our experienced family attorneys are ready to listen to your concerns and can help you with all issues of marriage dissolution including Legal Separation, Child Support, Child Custody, Alimony, Parenting Time, Division of Real Property, Division of Assets, and Small Business Valuation and Division.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Jaime graduated from University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Right after graduation, Jaime enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program at Rasmussen University and graduated with honors and an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies. While still attending Rasmussen, Jaime was hired by Carson, Clelland & Schreder in March of 2022 and has since then worked primarily with Ellen Schreder and associate attorney, Alina Stevenson. She is responsible for maintaining files, scheduling meetings and client intakes, drafting documents, and managing Ellen’s Alternative Dispute Resolution work. Jaime also assists the criminal law division of the firm with legal complaints and is responsible for invoice accounting, vendor bookkeeping, and day-to-day office responsibilities at Carson, Clelland & Schreder.
• DUI/DWI
  In 1998, David joined Carson, Clelland & Schreder and practices primarily in the area of criminal prosecution. David has handled numerous criminal jury trials and has argued at the Court of Appeals on multiple occasions. David also represents the firm’s municipal clients in their civil DWI-related forfeitures.
• Misdemeanors
  In addition to her family law practice, Dawn works with the municipal prosecution practice, handling gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors on behalf of the firm’s Anoka County municipal clients. Dawn brings over 12 years of municipal law experience to her work in criminal prosecution, and from this experience brings in-depth knowledge and familiarity with the criminal court system to her work on behalf of her municipal clients.
• Restraining Order
  Alina received her Bachelor’s Degree in History from the Gustavus Adolphus College in 2012. Following her undergraduate education, she completed two years of service with AmeriCorps. Alina graduated with her Juris Doctorate from University of Oregon School of Law in 2017. While in law school, Alina interned at the South African Human Rights Commission, and attended the Oxford Consortium for Humans Rights. She also interned at Tubman, a local non-profit that provides legal representation to survivors of domestic violence, where she was a certified student attorney and represented clients in Orders for Protections and other family law matters. After law school, she worked as a law clerk for former Ramsey County Family Law Referee James Street. Since completing her clerkship in 2018, Alina has practiced nearly exclusively in all areas of family law, including domestic abuse (including both Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders), divorce, child custody, paternity, asset and debt division, spousal maintenance, and child support. Most recently, Alina worked at Hennepin County Self-help assisting individuals without attorneys navigate complex family law matters.

Business and Corporate Law

• Business Disputes
  John graduated magna cum laude from St. John’s University in 2003. He graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2006, where he was a director of the Labor and Employment Law Moot Court and a top member of the Multi-Profession Business Law Clinic. John worked as a law clerk with Bonner and Borhart, LLP before joining Carson, Clelland & Schreder in December of 2006. Since that time, John has worked primarily in the field of criminal prosecution and municipal law. John has handled numerous trials and has argued at the Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Employment Law

• Employment Litigation

Property Law

• Real Estate Transactions
  The attorneys at CC&S have experience representing buyers, sellers, owners and other parties in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions. We work closely with clients to identify their goals and follow through on those goals with focused legal service. Our experienced commercial real estate lawyers can help your business with the purchase, sale, lease, or financing of commercial property, including due diligence and negotiating the terms of agreements of the transaction.
• Eminent Domain
  Jeff has worked extensively in the fields of eminent domain and special assessments, and has also served as a Commissioner in condemnation matters in the metropolitan area. He is a Qualified Rule 114 Neutral and serves as a mediator in the municipal field.
• Land Use and Zoning
  We assist residential and commercial property owners and commercial tenants in obtaining the necessary governmental approvals required to suit their private or business/commercial needs. Our land use and development services include permitting, rezoning, variances and lot-line adjustments.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Calen is an associate attorney working both in our municipal practice as well as family law. Calen comes from the unique background of having worked for many years as a criminal and family paralegal prior to attending law school. His previous legal experience includes work in criminal prosecution, as well as municipal attorney in the Minneapolis metro area after law school.  There, he handled a variety of litigation matters, including employment issues, education law, enforcement of city and county ordinances, civil warrants, personal injury, and contract law. Most recently Calen was working at a family law firm, and handled a wide variety of family law matters including judgment enforcement, parenting time and custody modification, non-marital tracing, division of marital assets as well as appellate work.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Kayla graduated from Winona State University in 2015 with her Paralegal Bachelor’s Degree and business minor.  While attending Winona State, Kayla interned for the Winona County Public Defender’s Office.  After graduation, she worked as a Senior Court Clerk for Wright County Court Administration.  Kayla joined Carson, Clelland & Schreder in August 2015.  She works mainly as Dawn Speltz’s family law paralegal, working directly with Dawn to address their clients’ needs through managing the files, scheduling, drafting documents, and answering client questions with a compassionate ear.  Kayla understands how emotional and difficult this time can be and is here to help make the process as easy as she can.  In addition, Kayla assists with the estate planning matters, helps out with the prosecution matters when needed, and is responsible for many of the accounting, bookkeeping and day-to-day office needs.
• Wills
  The estate planning attorneys at CC&S are here to help you make the best decisions to plan for your future. We can assist you in laying the groundwork for the transfer of wealth and assets to the next generation, while minimizing tax consequences. We work closely with our clients and their advisors to understand and prioritize goals and use the most effective estate planning tools. We offer assistance with Wills, Simple Trusts, Avoiding probate, Power of Attorney, Incapacity planning, and Health Care Directives (living wills).
• Power of Attorney
• Probate