The attorneys at Blahnik, Prchal & Stoll are licensed to practice in various tribal courts in the State of Minnesota. Our firm regularly represents individuals in Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Tribal Court which is home to Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake. Attorney Adam Blahnik is also licensed to practice law in the Prairie Island Tribal Court, which is home to Treasure Island Casino near Red Wing, Minnesota. Our attorneys represent clients in Tribal Court in the areas of divorce, child custody, child support, child welfare proceedings, conservatorship proceedings, probate proceedings and other legal proceedings.

The Tribal Courts maintain their own sovereignty and have their own laws that govern all legal proceedings. These sets of laws are frequently referred to as their Domestic Relations Code. The Domestic Relations Code includes substantive laws dealing with child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, division of property, and how tribal per capita payments are characterized in the event of a divorce, along with a plethora of other matters. It is very important to know and understand these laws when involved in any legal proceedings in tribal court.

Our firm represents both members and non-members in these legal proceedings in tribal court. Issues can sometimes arise with a disparity of income as it pertains to the members and non-members involved in a divorce proceeding or other legal proceeding. With years of experience, our firm guides you through these and other issues that may arise during the legal proceedings.

Jurisdiction Disputes

Determining whether a particular tribe has jurisdiction over of the State of Minnesota in a particular legal matter can quickly become a very complex legal issue. Frequently a divorce or other family law proceeding is commenced in both tribal court and in State court. It must then be determined which tribunal should retain jurisdiction and which tribunal should dismiss its legal proceeding. The State and most tribes maintain concurrent jurisdiction over divorce and family law proceedings, which means that the divorce or family law matter may potentially proceed forward in either the tribal court or Minnesota State Court. Oftentimes the determining factor on which court will maintain jurisdiction comes down to where the individuals were residing in the months leading up to the commencement of the divorce, custody, or other legal proceeding. Our law firm frequently handles these jurisdiction disputes between tribal court and State court.