Melissa Jo Ann Houghtaling

Melissa Jo Ann Houghtaling

5.0
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 18 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Estate Planning
This attorney is currently not accepting new clients.
Reason: Government Attorney

About Melissa

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 50%

All aspects of divorce including property division, QDROs, asset analysis and financial division, child custody, child support.

18 years

50%
Child Custody 45%

Traditional and third party custody. Non-traditional family custody. Child support and child support collections.

18 years

45%
Estate Planning 5%

Estate planning for both traditional and non-traditional families. GLBT couples and blended families. Trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives.

18 years

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 18 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 2007

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

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Melissa Jo Ann Houghtaling's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | February 06, 2015 | Family

Amazing Job! Ethical and Committed

Ending relationships is never easy and when children are involved it is even more difficult. I contacted Melissa for help in securing parenting time with my daughter. Melissa listened to my situation and its complexity - and began to work right away. Melissa did an excellent job of gathering all the ...facts and details she needed and prepared me for the fight that was ahead. She did a wonderful job of keeping my expectations realistic and kept me focused on the big picture. Melissa was well prepared and knew every aspect of the case inside and out. And, during the hearing, she even quoted multiple family law codes on the spot and was quite prepared in anticipating what the opposing counselor would do. Melissa and her team are extremely professional and were very compassionate throughout the process. I felt assured and comfortable working with Melissa - knowing that she had the best interest of my child in mind and would fight on my behalf for my rights and for my child. I now get to see my daughter on a very frequent and regular basis and I continue to have a significant role in her life. I will be eternally grateful for everything that Melissa has done for my family.

See All Client Reviews

Melissa Jo Ann Houghtaling's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Blaine Lm Balow headshot
Blaine Balow

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a highly respected attorney, that often presents and teaches on family law related subjects. She is client-focused, a problem-solver, and compassionate."

Rebecca Jean Heltzer headshot
Rebecca Heltzer

Family lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Blaine Lm Balow headshot
Blaine Balow

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Honors

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2016

Favorite Female Family Law Attorney, Minnesota Women's Press

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Top LGBT Attorneys Under 40, National LGBT Bar Association

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Attorney, Houghtaling Family Law Office

2015 - Present

Conciliation Court Referee, Fourth and Second Judicial Districts

2012 - Present

Adjunct Professor, Hamline University

2012 - 2015

Shareholder/ Attorney, Heltzer & Houghtaling, P.A.

2011 - 2015

Adjunct Professor, Inver Hills Community College

2007 - 2010

Associate Attorney, Heltzer & Burg, P.L.C.

Associations

2007 - Present

Minnesota State Bar Association

2006 - Present

Ramsey County Bar Association

2005 - Present

Minnesota Lavender Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

Third Party Visitation

Third party was granted visitation with the minor child every other weekend and one overnight per week along with some holiday and vacation time.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

William Mitchell College of Law

Juris Doctor

2002

Hamline University

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

Hamline University

Legal Research and Writing

2012

Family Law Section Continuing Legal Education

Minnnesota's Marriage History

Publications

2016

Minnesota Child Custody Deskbook Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Families

2015

The Complete Family Lawyer Answers to Questions about Unmarried and Same Sex Couples

2010

Minnesota CLE Minnesota Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution