Applicability

(a) When ADR Required. All family law matters in district court are subject to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes as established in this rule and Rule 114, except for: Published by the Revisor of Statutes under Minnesota Statutes, section 3C.08, subdivision 1. 211 GENERAL RULES OF PRACTICE MINNESOTA COURT RULES 1. actions enumerated in Minnesota Statutes, section 518B.01 (Domestic Abuse Act); 2. contempt actions; 3. maintenance, support, and parentage actions when the public agency responsible for child support enforcement is a party or is providing services to a party with respect to the action; and 4. proceedings conducted by a special master appointed under Rule 53 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. (b) ADR When There Is Domestic Abuse. The court shall not require parties to participate in any facilitative process where one of the parties claims to be the victim of domestic abuse by the other party or where the court determines there is probable cause that one of the parties or a child of the parties has been physically abused or threatened with physical abuse by the other party. In circumstances where the court is satisfied that the parties have been advised by counsel and have agreed to an ADR process established in Rule 114 that will not require face-to-face meeting of the parties, the court may direct that the ADR process be used. (c) Exceptions for Previous ADR Efforts. The court shall not require parties to attempt ADR if they have previously engaged in an ADR process under Rule 114 and reached an impasse with respect to the current, pending issue(s). (Amended effective July 1, 1997; amended effective May 1, 2012; amended effective January 1, 2023.)