Laura K. Fretland/Retired
Former Areas of Practice: Family Law, Divorce, Child Support, Spousal Maintenance, Custody, Antenuptial Agreements
Laura K. Fretland / Biography
Laura Fretland concentrated her practice on family law and represented clients in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and throughout Minnesota. She has provided careful guidance and quality legal representation customized to the unique needs of her clients, whether that meant litigation, negotiated settlement, collaborative law, or mediation. Her goal has been fair and efficient resolutions, but she has been an effective litigator when necessary, working hard to safeguard the rights of her clients. During her 35 years as a family law attorney, she has handled complex family law matters involving child custody, divorce and property division.
Ms. Fretland’s background has enabled her to develop the most beneficial solutions to resolve family law issues based on each family’s specific situation. Her goal has been to provide the legal advice and expertise clients need to make good decisions about their divorce and their future.
Laura is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for her work in Family Law and Collaborative Law in the Family Law category and was first recognized in 2014. She has been listed as a Minnesota Super Lawyer each year since 2005 and is rated Distinguished™ for high professional achievement by Martindale-Hubbell.
Ms. Fretland has written and lectured for attorneys on topics, including antenuptial agreements, divorce and elder law. She has been an active member and former co-chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law Section.
Leadership + Activities
- Minnesota State Bar Association (including Hennepin County Bar Association)
Feedback
Amazing Support – I can’t say enough about how helpful Laura was to me during a time of personal trauma and divorce. Her guidance was objective and valuable with a human touch of caring and kindness that is so appreciated. My case was closed in an extremely timely manner, and Laura’s team was responsive and available throughout the process. I highly recommend Laura Fretland without hesitation.
Professional, empathic, effective – Laura helped me navigate one of the more difficult situations with pragmatic guidance and expertise that I needed. And she was extremely helpful in understanding options and paths that fit my goals for resolution. All good things. And frankly found her style and compassion the best part of working with her. I’d highly recommend to anyone but particularly those that want fast, fair, and frank legal counsel.
Laura is a very knowledgeable and caring attorney, who obtains excellent results for her clients.
Published Articles
- “Special Circumstances in Family Law,” Chapter 25, Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook with eFormbook, Second Edition, Minnesota CLE, October 2021
- “Marital Issues,” Chapter 7, Elder Law Handbook, Fourth Edition, Minnesota CLE, December 2018
Education
- Concordia College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1980
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1983
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1983
News + Articles
Can Spousal Maintenance Be Modified in Minnesota?
Spousal maintenance, commonly referred to as alimony, exists to address financial disparities that arise when a marriage ends. In many marriages, one spouse earns most or all of the household income while the other steps away from the workforce to raise children,...
THC at a Crossroads: Marijuana Rescheduling and the Federal Push to Rein in Hemp
The federal government is sending some very mixed signals on cannabis—and if you're in Minnesota's THC market, it's a moment that demands your full attention. On one side, there's momentum toward reclassifying marijuana under federal law, a move that...
2025 Appellate Year in Review
Lommen Abdo’s appellate team is continuing our annual tradition of recapping some of the most interesting cases we’ve handled this year. This year took us to the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota appellate courts and we obtained favorable results in...
Lommen Abdo Shares Holiday Cheer with Local Families Through Toys for Tots Drive
This holiday season, the Lommen Abdo team came together once again to support Toys for Tots, and we’re proud to share just how much our impact has grown. In 2024, we collected 45 toys. This year, we more than doubled that number, donating 96 toys and contributing over...
When Does an Uncontested Divorce Become Contested?
Many people begin the divorce process believing it will be simple and cooperative, only to discover later that disagreements derail those expectations. Understanding when does an uncontested divorce become contested can help you avoid surprises and better protect your...
How Long Does a Contested Divorce Take in Minnesota?
One of the most common questions people ask at the beginning of a divorce is: How long does a contested divorce take? Unfortunately, there is no single answer. A contested divorce is, by nature, unpredictable. Some cases resolve in a matter of months, while others...