Murray County Family Court Filings

Murray County family court records are kept at the District Court in Slayton. The court files and stores records for dissolution of marriage, child custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity cases involving county residents. You can search cases online through the free state portal or visit the courthouse in person. Court Administrator Sheila Pierson manages the records office at the Slayton courthouse. This page covers how to access Murray County family court filings and what to expect during the process.

Murray County District Court

The Murray County District Court sits in the county courthouse in Slayton. Court Administrator Sheila Pierson oversees records for family law cases including dissolutions, custody orders, child support judgments, and parenting time decrees. The courthouse is on 28th Street in Slayton with free surface parking and on-street parking available.

Murray County is part of the Fifth Judicial District, which is administered out of Mankato by District Administrator Michael J. Kelley. The Fifth District covers a large region of southwestern and south-central Minnesota. Family law cases for Murray County residents are filed here. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eCheck-in is available for certain criminal and juvenile cases.

The county's own court administration page at murraycountymn.com has local information about the office and its services.

Searching Murray County Family Court Records

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free public search tool for Murray County family court cases. You can search by name or case number and see basic case info including docket entries, filing dates, and status. Some details in family records have privacy limits on what appears online. Start at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us.

For older records or complete file access, visit the courthouse in Slayton. Staff can search by name and pull physical files. Bring your ID. Written requests by mail are accepted too. You can call (507) 873-7001 to ask about a case before making the drive to Slayton.

The Murray County District Court page on mncourts.gov is the go-to for court contact info and the public calendar.

The Murray County court page at mncourts.gov has hours, phone contacts, and the daily schedule for Slayton courthouse proceedings.

The county's own court administration site has locally-focused information about court services in Murray County.

Visit murraycountymn.com/county_departments/court_administration.php for local court administration details specific to Murray County.

Fees and Copy Requests in Murray County

Plain uncertified copies of court documents are free in Minnesota as of July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. An exemplified copy carries both the court administrator's and a judicial officer's signatures and costs $14.00. Getting both certifications on one document is $28.00.

Payments go to "District Court Administrator." The office takes checks, money orders, and credit cards. There's a small convenience fee for credit card transactions. For mailed requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (507) 873-7001 ahead of time if you have questions about a specific file.

Note: Payments at the Murray County courthouse are not accepted after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of the month. Plan your visit around this deadline if you are making a payment for fines or other court costs. Payments can also be made online through the Court Payment Center.

Court forms for dissolution, custody, and support are free at mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx.

Family Court Cases in Murray County

The Murray County District Court handles all family law matters under Minnesota statute. Dissolution of marriage cases are filed under Chapter 518. Minnesota does not require proof of fault. You need only show that the marriage has broken down and cannot be saved. One spouse must live in Minnesota for 180 days before filing.

Custody and parenting time cases use the best interests of the child test spelled out in section 518.17. Courts look at many factors including each parent's bond with the child, the child's adjustment to home and school, and the mental and physical health of all parties. Legal custody covers decision-making authority. Physical custody covers where the child lives day to day. Both can be sole or joint.

Child support calculations use the income shares model under Chapter 518A. The formula takes each parent's gross income and their share of parenting time into account. Courts set, modify, and enforce support orders. Paternity cases establish the legal father when parents were not married. Once paternity is established, custody, parenting time, and support can follow.

Child protection matters are handled under Chapter 260C. LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org has free guides in plain language covering all these case types for Minnesota residents.

Legal Help for Murray County Family Cases

Prairie Lakes Youth Programs and Southwest Minnesota Legal Services are among the organizations that serve southwest Minnesota counties including Murray. For free civil legal help in family law matters, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid reaches the region as well. Call (612) 334-5970 or visit lawhelpmn.org to find local options. The Fifth Judicial District Self-Help Center can assist people handling their own cases.

The Minnesota State Bar Association's referral service can match you with a family law attorney. Court staff in Slayton can give you general process information and help you find the right forms, but they cannot provide legal advice. For forms, everything is free at mncourts.gov.

Cities in Murray County

Murray County includes Slayton and several small communities. All family court cases for county residents are processed at the District Court in Slayton.

Communities in Murray County include Slayton, Currie, Dovray, Iona, Lake Wilson, and Fulda. None meet the 25,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page. All family law matters for Murray County residents are handled at the courthouse at 2500 28th Street, Slayton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near Murray County in southwest Minnesota. Each has its own District Court.