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![The Family Innocence Presents: Resolving Conflicts Takes Practice! Family & Restorative Circle Practices/Orientations are held every other Wednesday . Call to register and verify location. Share a conflict with trained Circle facilitators, or come to observe and learn a way to resolve conflicts on your own: Every other Wednesday at 5:45 PM . Family Innocence Headquarters: 1069 S Robert Street, Suite B W. St. Paul, MN 55118 So we know your coming and to verify […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/conflict.jpg "Resolve a Conflict by having it! Bring your conflict to Family Circle Orientation")
Our Upcoming Events
What Do You Stand For?
Hello. It’s attorney Michelle Lowney MacDonald. This year marks the 25th anniversary of my family law practice, my 50 years of being alive, and the 15th anniversary of the movie, Jerry Maguire. Oh, and I became a grandmother. In January, inspired by my clients, my grandson, Jerry Maguire and Pope John Paul II, I wrote a Miracle Mission Statement: Abolish Family Court (as we know it) and Keep Broken Families Out of the Adversary Process.
I invite you to come on this miracle mission with me.
FAMILY INNOCENCE ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY JANUARY 1, 2017
This remarkable baby can talk non-stop about eliminating court for families. Come to the next meeting and see!Date: Sunday, January 1, 2017. Family Innocence New Years Resolution Party Time: TBA Location : To Be Announced
Questions: Call Family Innocence at 651-783-5878 (Be sure to leave your call back number)
* Food & Beverages Provided. Cash Bar also available
![Come and join us for the 2nd annual Ice Cream Social for Family Innocence. Enjoy Ice Cream and a beautiful park with your family and friends. Family Innocence July 1 Ice Cream Social: A Nonprofit Dedicated To Keeping Families Out Of Court: Resolving Conflicts & Injustices Peacefully When: Friday, July 1, 2016 Time: 4:00 pm. – 5:00 Where: Shelter at Lac Lavon Park 15501 Lac Lavon Drive, Burnsville, MN […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Main-Logo-Artwork-PNG-Image-640x250.png "Family Innocence Social 1 July"){kind=logo}
Family Innocence Social 1 July
Come and join us for the 2nd annual Ice Cream Social for Family Innocence. Enjoy Ice Cream and a beautiful park with your family and friends. Family Innocence July 1 Ice Cream Social: A Nonprofit Dedicated To Keeping Families Out Of Court: Resolving Conflicts & Injustices Peacefully When: Friday, July 1, 2016 Time: 4:00 pm. – 5:00 Where: Shelter at Lac Lavon Park 15501 Lac Lavon Drive, Burnsville, MN […]
What's New
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![Attorney Michelle MacDonald, Barb Zorn and David Bradshaw have been among the group of lawyers, judges, mediators, mental-health professionals, former Minnesota legislators, and lay-people that have been meeting twice a month for over two years conceptualizing and fine-tuning the Cooperative Private Divorce process, now in it’s final stage. The Family Innocence Process (“FIP”) has been similar to the Cooperative Private Divorce process, as we educate family members to avoid court, participate in Family Innocence Circles, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution , […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/microphone-115x115.jpg "At Last, Family Innocence Friendly Legislation – Divorce Without Courts coming soon")
At Last, Family Innocence Friendly Legislation – Divorce Without Courts coming soon
Posted on February 8, 2016 | No CommentsAttorney Michelle MacDonald, Barb Zorn and David Bradshaw have been among the group of lawyers, judges, mediators, mental-health professionals, former Minnesota legislators, and lay-people that have been meeting twice a month for over two years conceptualizing and fine-tuning the Cooperative Private Divorce process, now in it’s final stage. The Family Innocence Process (“FIP”) has been similar to the Cooperative Private Divorce process, as we educate family members to avoid court, participate in Family Innocence Circles, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution , […] -
![At last – Family Innocence Friendly Legislation. The current system assumes an adversarial posture. It needn’t be that way. Check out this editorial by (Judge) Bruce Peterson, and William Doherty (Couples on the Brink Project) http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/296649391.html State Rep. John Lesch and state Sen. Sandy Pappas recently introduced a “cooperative private divorce” bill that creates an administrative pathway to divorce that skips the court system. If most divorces settle out of court and people […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Family-1961.jpg "Divorce without court: A helpful reform")
Divorce without court: A helpful reform
Posted on March 27, 2015 | 1 CommentAt last – Family Innocence Friendly Legislation. The current system assumes an adversarial posture. It needn’t be that way. Check out this editorial by (Judge) Bruce Peterson, and William Doherty (Couples on the Brink Project) http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/296649391.html State Rep. John Lesch and state Sen. Sandy Pappas recently introduced a “cooperative private divorce” bill that creates an administrative pathway to divorce that skips the court system. If most divorces settle out of court and people […] -
![Joshua Hare was homeless, and in legal trouble, when Michelle Lowney MacDonald’s daughter brought him home one Sunday telling him, “My mom can help”. Michelle recognized Joshua from Choir, and asked what happened to his song bird voice. By the time they finished discussing his case, Joshua was singing harmony in the kitchen for Michelle’s husband, Thomas, and offered to put music to words for Family Innocence. Joshua borrowed a pink guitar, from when […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/joshhare-115x115.jpg "Family Innocence Helps Kids Find Their Voice")
Family Innocence Helps Kids Find Their Voice
Posted on November 1, 2014 | 1 CommentJoshua Hare was homeless, and in legal trouble, when Michelle Lowney MacDonald’s daughter brought him home one Sunday telling him, “My mom can help”. Michelle recognized Joshua from Choir, and asked what happened to his song bird voice. By the time they finished discussing his case, Joshua was singing harmony in the kitchen for Michelle’s husband, Thomas, and offered to put music to words for Family Innocence. Joshua borrowed a pink guitar, from when […] -
![Article by: BRUCE PETERSON (Pictured at left: Judge Bruce Peterson…a heart as big as the world) Gov. Mark Dayton has "pocket-vetoed" the watered-down version of the joint child custody legislation promoted for the last decade and has urged the adversaries to collaborate on a bill for next year. The opposing statements that followed on this page ("Kids in the balance," June 1, and "Child-custody bill was problematic," June 13) didn’t sound especially collaborative. We may […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Judge_Peterson-sm-115x90.jpg "Time, perhaps, to get courts out of divorce")
Time, perhaps, to get courts out of divorce
Posted on November 20, 2013 | 1 CommentArticle by: BRUCE PETERSON (Pictured at left: Judge Bruce Peterson…a heart as big as the world) Gov. Mark Dayton has "pocket-vetoed" the watered-down version of the joint child custody legislation promoted for the last decade and has urged the adversaries to collaborate on a bill for next year. The opposing statements that followed on this page ("Kids in the balance," June 1, and "Child-custody bill was problematic," June 13) didn’t sound especially collaborative. We may […] -
![If Restorative Justice Circles can resolve conflicts in communities where people kill, beat, steal, rape, fight, argue, lie, and totally ignore authority — it can undoubtedly transform conflict in our homes. Of course who do you forgive more in a given day than the people you live with? That’s why Family Innocence has implemented Restorative Justice Family Innocence Circles, to facilitate “Soup to Nuts” conflicts in families, separated or together. The process starts by sending […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/restorative.jpg "Gone Fishing – Family Innocence Reels in Champion Peacemaker, Dominic Barter")
Gone Fishing – Family Innocence Reels in Champion Peacemaker, Dominic Barter
Posted on November 20, 2013 | 1 CommentIf Restorative Justice Circles can resolve conflicts in communities where people kill, beat, steal, rape, fight, argue, lie, and totally ignore authority — it can undoubtedly transform conflict in our homes. Of course who do you forgive more in a given day than the people you live with? That’s why Family Innocence has implemented Restorative Justice Family Innocence Circles, to facilitate “Soup to Nuts” conflicts in families, separated or together. The process starts by sending […] -
![Attorney Michelle MacDonald and Family Innocence Advocate, Steve Latham are headed to the Minnesota Supreme Court. The Petition, challenging the constitutionality of the no “contact” provisions of ex parte (no notice) harassment restraining orders, as interfering with the right to parent, was GRANTED. Steve was arrested after forwarding emails of a church event, and after his son sent mom a text message — from the boy’s own cell phone. Also, during the trial, the Judge […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/steve-michelle-1.jpg "The Supreme Court is No Joke, your honor.")
The Supreme Court is No Joke, your honor.
Posted on January 30, 2013 | No CommentsAttorney Michelle MacDonald and Family Innocence Advocate, Steve Latham are headed to the Minnesota Supreme Court. The Petition, challenging the constitutionality of the no “contact” provisions of ex parte (no notice) harassment restraining orders, as interfering with the right to parent, was GRANTED. Steve was arrested after forwarding emails of a church event, and after his son sent mom a text message — from the boy’s own cell phone. Also, during the trial, the Judge […] -
Family Innocence Radio: Family Innocence Defined
Posted on January 19, 2013 | No CommentsAir date: January 19, 2013 Family Innocence Defined. Join host Michelle MacDonald on Relevant Radio as she discussed what defines Family Innocence. Listen to Family Innocence Defined: Print PDF -
Video: Family Innocence Amicus Hearing
Posted on December 28, 2012 | No CommentsMinnesota Supreme Court Video Oral Argument State of Minnesota in Supreme Court in the matter of Rew, and Obo: Vs James Allen Bergstrom. Brief and appendix of AMICI CURIAE THE FAMILY INNOCENCE CENTER FOR PAR Visit Minnesota Supreme Court Oral Arguments for a video of the Minnesota Supreme Court hearing of ”Family Innocence amicus hearing of a 50 year old order for protection for Rew V. Bergstrom” Print PDF -
Science Meets Spirituality — The Case Against Divorce Courts
Posted on November 6, 2012 | No CommentsFrom the Tikkun Daily Blog by: Bruce Peterson on August 27th, 2012 My judicial career has been focused in family law, which is hopelessly behind in coping with 50% divorce rates and 40% unmarried parent rates. Family fragmentation on this scale, the worst in the world, is going to have devastating social consequences unless we soon develop more child-friendly legal and social structures. Possibilities for hope and healing are glimmering amid the dark violence and […] -
![After The Family Innocence learned that Restorative Justice Circles were successfully used in the most contentious family court cases by expert John Myser, Family Innocence advocates, including Barb Zorn joined peacemakers from around the world, at The Gandhi Institute in New York, to learn to facilitate circles from the master, Dominic Barter. A Miracle in Minnesota on All Saints Day. Last year, family law attorney Michelle MacDonald prayed to Pope John Paul II for a miracle to […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sky.jpg "Circle My Family – All Saints Day Miracle Announced at Family Innocence Event.")
Circle My Family – All Saints Day Miracle Announced at Family Innocence Event.
Posted on November 6, 2012 | No CommentsAfter The Family Innocence learned that Restorative Justice Circles were successfully used in the most contentious family court cases by expert John Myser, Family Innocence advocates, including Barb Zorn joined peacemakers from around the world, at The Gandhi Institute in New York, to learn to facilitate circles from the master, Dominic Barter. A Miracle in Minnesota on All Saints Day. Last year, family law attorney Michelle MacDonald prayed to Pope John Paul II for a miracle to […]
Events
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Family Innocence Process (“FIP”) is a new Model
Posted on March 28, 2015 | No CommentsPrint PDF -
![FAMILY INNOCENCE FRIENDLY LEGISLATION – Cooperative Private Divorce Watch the press conference for the Minnesota Cooperative Private Divorce Project, held for 0945-1030 on Wednesday 4 March at the State Office Building: Here Tim Kinley, host of Speechless MN, covered the press conference held at the capital with John Lesch and Susan Pappas, Members of the Cooperative Private Divorce team, on bills related to the concept of “cooperative divorce”. Where couples seeking divorce can work out […]](http://www.familyinnocence.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/today1-115x115.jpg "Minnesota Private Cooperative Divorce Is Coming")
Minnesota Private Cooperative Divorce Is Coming
Posted on February 27, 2015 | No CommentsFAMILY INNOCENCE FRIENDLY LEGISLATION – Cooperative Private Divorce Watch the press conference for the Minnesota Cooperative Private Divorce Project, held for 0945-1030 on Wednesday 4 March at the State Office Building: Here Tim Kinley, host of Speechless MN, covered the press conference held at the capital with John Lesch and Susan Pappas, Members of the Cooperative Private Divorce team, on bills related to the concept of “cooperative divorce”. Where couples seeking divorce can work out […] -
Family Innocence Radio: Dead Skunk in the Road. Restorative Justice Circles for Families.
Posted on December 16, 2012 | No CommentsAir date: December 15, 2012 Dead Skunk in the Road. Restorative Justice Circles for Families. Joining host Michelle MacDonald are John Myser and Barb Zorn, Family Innocence Advocates and Restorative Justice Circle facilitators. Listen to Dead Skunk in the Road. Restorative Justice Circles for Families: The Family Innocence Show airs every third Saturday of the month at 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Relevant Radio 1330 AM. Upcoming programs will air: Saturday, January 19 Print […]
