Minnesota Family Law and Divorce Firm

Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A.

121 South Eighth Street, Suite 1100
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-2823
USA

(612) 326-3453 or (888) 340-9311

(612) 340-1154

www.wbdlaw.com

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Law Firm Overview

Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A. is an experienced, dedicated law firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firm was founded in 1991 by Wright S. Walling and Nancy Zalusky Berg. Their goal was to establish a new type of family law firm that would not only handle complex legal matters, but one that would educate their clients about alternative methods for resolving disputes, how to keep their children’s best interests in the forefront—even in difficult times, and recognizing a momentary resolution may not be in a child’s best interest in the long run.

Through the years, the firm has held steadfast to that goal and achieved a reputation for creativity, quality, and service in the family law community. Family law is our sole focus and as such we handled matters of divorce, adoption, custody, visitation, and legal issues involving children such as paternity, juvenile delinquency, and CHIPS (Child in Need of Protection or Services). We have also expanded the standard family law practice to include Assisted Reproductive Technology Services (ARTS), Minnesota Tribal Court family law matters, and the use of mediation in juvenile and adoption matters.

Our attorneys are equally at ease in family court, juvenile court, probate court, the Minnesota tribal courts, and the appellate courts. We believe that superior legal representation is the most effective way to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. To us, quality means comprehensive and cost-effective legal work designed to present the strongest possible case, both factually and legally, in whatever forum is required.

Our experience in the court systems and alternative dispute resolution is strong and varied. Our goal is to resolve the legal issues facing our clients rather than pressing our clients to conform to the laws that currently exist. We are frequently in a position to make effective arguments on behalf of our clients in ways previously not presented to the courts resulting in success at all levels of the judicial process.

We may be the largest family law firm in the state, but our attorneys still believe that clients are to be treated with respect and dignity, that each client’s situation is unique, and that part of our role as legal counsel is to ensure our clients understand the potential consequences of each choice presented. We keep our clients informed throughout the case, encourage questions, and help clients make the decisions that will lead to the best possible outcome. It is this extra service of educating our clients that makes our firm unique and our reputation strong.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Relocation; Child in Need of Protective Services (CHIPS); ARTS/Surrogacy Agreements; Licensing Board Issues for Psychologists and Social Workers; Minnesota Tribal Court Family Law; Same Sex Couples; Cooperative Law Process; Domestic Abuse

Practice Areas Description

At the law office of Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A., we handle all family law matters, including:

- Adoption
We handle all types of adoption, including agency adoptions, private placement adoptions, relative adoptions and same-sex/single parent adoptions.

- Divorce
We handle all divorce-related matters, including alimony, custody and asset division.

- Custody
Our attorneys help negotiate and draft custody agreements that serve the best interests of the children. We can also facilitate third-party custody agreements when it is in a child's best interest to live with someone other than a parent.

- Paternity
Our firm represents both men and women in paternity actions.

- Parenting Access
This is commonly referred to as "visitation". Our lawyers help negotiate parenting access plans that are beneficial to parents and children alike.

- Relocation
We represent custodial parents who want to relocate with their child, and also parents seeking to challenge the relocation of the other parent.

- Domestic Abuse
We have a thorough understanding of domestic abuse law and how past violence can affect family law proceedings.

- Juvenile Delinquency
Our attorneys skillfully represent juveniles in delinquency and criminal matters. Contact us for experienced representation for your minor child.

- Child in Need of Protective Services (CHIPS)
Our firm is actively involved in CHIPS proceedings. We have successfully sought State and County assistance for neglected, abused and endangered children.

- ARTS / Surrogacy Agreements
We draft surrogacy agreements that protect our clients' rights, whether our client is the surrogate, gestational carrier, or intended parent.

- Mediation
Mediation offers an alternative to litigation. Added benefits are that mediation is often more private and less expensive than litigation. Our concentration is in the juvenile and adoption areas.

- Prenuptial, Postnuptial, and Cohabitation Agreements
Our firm drafts agreements that protect our clients' assets in the event of a divorce or separation. We also negotiate the terms of prenuptial and cohabitation agreements to protect property in the event the relationship ends.

- Licensing Board Issues
We represent psychologists and social workers in investigations by the Minnesota Licensing Board and offer counsel regarding ethical issues.

- Minnesota Tribal Court Family Law
We are admitted to practice in Tribal Courts, representing non-members and members of Minnesota's Native American community in family law matters.

- Appellate Practice
We are known for providing aggressive and knowledgeable representation in appellate proceedings.

- Estate Planning and Wills
We help our clients create comprehensive estate plans by using a number of estate planning tools like wills, healthcare directives, trusts and guardianship provisions.

- Same Sex Couples
Our firm protects the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) couples in matters involving estate planning, adoption, child custody, cohabitation agreements, separation and other family law matters.

- Cooperative Law Process
We believe in creating solutions to our client’s problems by looking beyond the courtroom and traditional litigation. In many cases, the Cooperative Law Process provides a method of negotiating an agreement to legal issues in which everyone comes out of the process feeling they were treated with respect and fairly.

Attorneys

	Ms. Nancy Zalusky Berg Founding Attorney Appellate Practice, Family Law		Mr. Gary A. Debele President Appellate Practice, Family Law
	Mr. Wright S. Walling Co-Founding Attorney Appellate Practice, Family Law