Practice areas: Family Law, Appellate; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 1997
Education: University of Minnesota Law School
Languages spoken: English, French
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2003 - 2004, 2006, 2008 Call today:
952-955-8008
Arnold & Cain, P.A.
1422 W Lake StSuite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55408 Visit website
Details 
Valerie A. Arnold is an attorney and shareholder at Arnold & Cain, P.A., located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Arnold practices in all areas of family law including divorce, child custody disputes, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, third-party custody and visitation cases as well as international family law including Hague Convention matters and parental abduction prevention.
Since 2008, Ms. Arnold has been a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, an international organization composed of family law attorneys known for their knowledge and experience with international family law matters. Ms. Arnold has authored numerous publications on international and interstate family law.
In addition to her law practice, lecturing, writing and participating in professional organizations, Ms. Arnold also serves as a volunteer for the Ramsey County Family Court Pro Se Clinic and Tubman Family Alliance.
Practice areas
Family Law, AppellateFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Appeals, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Name Change, Paternity, Same Sex Family Law
- 90% Family Law
- 10% Appellate
First Admitted: 1997, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://www.minneapolisdivorceattorneys.us/staff/valerie
Bar / Professional Activity
- International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2004
- Board of Directors, AFCC – Minnesota Chapter (May 2009 to April 2013)
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Supreme Court, 1997
- Member, The Committee on Hague Conventions (USA Chapter of IAFL)
- Co-Chair, Ramsey County Bar Association CLE Oversight Committee, St. Paul, MN (August 2002 – May 2006)
Pro bono / Community Service
- Volunteer Attorney, Tubman Family Alliance (2003-Present), 2026
- Volunteer Attorney, Ramsey County Pro Se Clinic (2004-Present), 2026
Educational Background
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; B.A. French, Minor: Linguistics, 1988
- Université de Savoie, Chambéry, France; Maîtrise de Lettres Modernes: certificat en linguistique (French Master's degree in linguistics) , 1990
- University of Minnesota, Department of French and Italian, Minneapolis, MN, M.A. French (1992), Related Field: Art History , 1990-1992
- University of Minnesota, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Minneapolis, MN, Doctoral student in Second Languages and Cultures (1992 – 1994) , 1992-1994
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Legal Publication:, Author, “Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues”, Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2026
- Presented on the Interstate and International issues with enforcement of Custodial Rights, Speaker, "Hot Topics in Family Law: Enforcement of Custodial Rights: Interstate and International Issues", Legal Assistance of Olmsted County, 2025
- Legal Publication:, Author, “Chapter 11: The Complete Family Lawyer: Interstate and International Issues”, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2025
- Presented in issues in International and Interstate Child Custody, Speaker, "MN CLE 'Divorce A to Z' - A Primer on International and Interstate Child Custody Issues", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2025
- Presented on Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and International Child Support Cases, Co-Speaker, "Child Support A to Z: Unique Issues - Artificial Reproductive Technology, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, and International Child Support Cases", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2024
- Presented on Interstate and International Issues in Family Law, Speaker, "The Complete Family Lawyer: Interstate and International Issues", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2024
- Presented on issues with Child Support and Spousal Maintenance across borders, Co-Speaker, “New Developments in Child Support and Spousal Maintenance – 2023: The Problems with Child Support and Spousal Maintenance Across Borders”, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2023
- Presented strategies for dealing with difficulties during discovery in Family Law , Co-Speaker, "Advanced Family Law Discovery Strategies and Tips: Dealing with Difficult Clients, Witnesses, and Opposing Counsel in Discovery", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2023
- Presented on tips for using Requests for Admissions as a tool in strategies, Co-Speaker, “Advanced Family Law Discovery Strategies and Tips: Requests for Admissions: Making the Most of This Underutilized Tool”, NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2023
- Presented on Interstate and International Jurisdiction, Speaker, “Interstate and International Jurisdiction”, Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2022
- Presented on Interstate and International Custody, Speaker, “Interstate and International Custody”, Family Law Series: Divorce Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2021
- Presented on current topics in International Family Law, Speaker, “Topics in International Family Law”, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2021
- Presented on the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Speaker, “Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act”, Olmsted County Bar – Family Law Section, 2021
- Presented tips for working on Interstate and International cases during COVID, Speaker, “Top Tips for Interstate and International Cases: COVID Edition”, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2020
- Presented continuing legal education seminar on international and interstate family law issues, Speaker, “The Complete Family Lawyer: Interstate and International Issues”, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2020
- Served on panel presenting CLE on parenting consultants, Panel member, “Appointing, Maintaining and Removing a Parenting Consultant”, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2019
- Moderated panel presentation on recognition and enforcement of international family law orders, Moderator, “Bringing Orders Across Borders: Planning for International Recognition and Enforcement”, ABA Section of Family Law Conference, Dominican Republic, 2019
- Co-presented national webinar on international and interstate family law mediation, Speaker, “Family Dispute Mediation in State and Federal Courts”, ABA Section of Family Law, National Webinar, 2019
- Presented international seminar on best practices for interstate and international family law mediation, Presenter, “This Case Will Never Settle!: A Paradigm for Successful Mediation of FamilyDisputes in State and Federal Courts”, ABA Section of Family Law Conference, Dominican Republic, 2019
- Presenting continuing legal education seminar on issues involving interstate and international family child custody, Presenter, “Interstate and International Custody”, Family Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2018
- Presented continuing legal education seminar on interstate and international parental child abduction, Presenter, “Interstate and International Parental Child Abduction”, Family Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2018
- Presented family law seminar on interstate and international child custody issues, Presenter, “Interstate and International Custody”, Family Law Series: Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2017
- Presenting with panel on development of parenting plans for international cases, Presenter, “Parenting Plans in International Cases”, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) 54th Annual Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, 2017
- Presented on Family Law issues relating to same-sex couples , Speaker, "5 Unresolved Issues for Same-Sex Couples", 35th Annual Family Law Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2014
- Presented on Child Custody Procedures, Speaker, "Child Custody Procedures: Form by Form – Discovery", Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2013
- Presented on the Pre-Trial and Trial sections of Child Custody Procedures, Speaker, "Child Custody Procedures: Form by Form – PreTrial and Trial", Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2013
- Presented on Family Law cases between states and countries, Speaker, Family Law 50: "Interstate and International Cases", Family Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2013
- Presented on Interstate and International Issues, Co-Speaker, Family Law Series: "Motions, Appeals, and Interstate and International Issues", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2013
- Presented on Child Custody Procedures, Speaker, "Child Custody Procedures: Form by Form – Discovery" and "Child Custody Procedures: Form by Form – PreTrial and Trial", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2013
- Presented about the intersections of Family and Immigration law, Co-Speaker, "The Intersections of Family Law and Immigration Law", Tubman, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2013
- Manual:, Author, "Complex Child Custody and Support Issues in Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA" , Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2012
- Manual:, Author, "Legal Guide to Interstate Divorce Proceedings," , Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2012
- Presented on representing Left-Behind Parents, Speaker, Hague Symposium – "Role of the Lawyer: Representing the Left-Behind Parent", International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, US Chapter, 2012
- Presented on Interstate and International Family Law, Speaker, "Family Law 50: Interstate and International", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2012
- Presented on Family Law cases involving multiple states or countries, Speaker, Family Law 50: "Interstate and International Cases", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2012
- Presented on issues involving Interstate and International jurisdiction, Speaker, Family Law Series: "Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2012
- Presented on Complex Child Custody and Support Issues In Divorce, Speaker, "Complex Child Custody and Support Issues In Divorce", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2012
- Presented about interstate divorce proceedings, Speaker, "Legal Guide to Interstate Divorce Proceedings", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2012
- Manual:, Author, "Child Custody and Support Issues in Interstate Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA", Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2011
- Manual:, Author, "Evidence Tactics in Divorce: Witness Testimony", Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2011
- Legal Publication:, "Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues", Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2011
- Presented on Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues, Speaker, "Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2011
- Legal Publication:, Author, "Innovations in Resolving International Family Law Cases in Tough Economic Times", Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Forum, Volume 19, No. 1., 2011
- Presented on the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act in regards to Child Custody and Support in divorce cases in multiple states, Speaker, "Child Custody and Support in Interstate Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2011
- Presented on Child Custody and Support in Interstate Divorce, Speaker, "Child Custody and Support in Interstate Divorce: UCCJEA and UIFSA", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2011
- Presented on how to effectively use witness testimony as evidence in divorce proceedings, Speaker, "Evidence Tactics in Divorce: Witness Testimony", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2011
- Presented on Child Custody Jurisdiction Under the UCCJEA, Speaker, "Child Custody Jurisdiction Under the UCCJEA: Navigating the Complexities; Determining Where to Initiate or Maintain a Custody Action and Leveraging Enforcement or Modification Remedies", Strafford Publications, National Teleconference, 2011
- Presented on Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement issues in relation to the UCCJEA, Speaker, "The UCCJEA: Navigating Family Law Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Issues", Anoka County Bar Association, Anoka, Minnesota, 2010
- Presented on Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement issues in cases that involved multiple states, Speaker, "The UCCJEA: Navigating Family Law Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Issues", Anoka County Bar Association, Anoka, Minnesota, 2010
- Manual:, Author, "The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction", Continuing Legal Education for Professionals, NBI, Inc., 2010
- Presented on the current trends for defenses to Hague Convention cases, Speaker, "Defenses to Hague Convention Cases in the United States: Current Trends", International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers International Conference, Queenstown, New Zealand, 2010
- Presented on the Hague Convention in relation to the civil aspects of International Child Abduction, Speaker, "The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction", NBI, Inc., National Teleconference, 2010
- Presented on Child Custody and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, Speaker, "Interstate Child Custody and the UCCJEA", Tubman, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2010
- Presented on International Divorce and Child Custody, Speaker, "International Divorce and Child Custody", Dakota County, Apple Valley, Minnesota, 2009
- Presented on Interstate and International Parental Child Abduction, Speaker, "Interstate and International Parental Child Abduction", Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Institute, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2009
- Presented talk on international parental child abduction to a group of international visitors invited by the U.S. State Department to participate in the International Leadership Visitor Program, Speaker, Trafficking in Persons and Crimes Against Women and Children, U.S. Department of State’s International Leadership Visitor Program, Maplewood, Minnesota, 2009
- Co-author Scott Rodman, Co-Author, "Interstate & International Civil and Criminal Remedies to Parents of Children Who Have Been Kidnapped", Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Forum, Volume 17, No. 1, 2008
- Presented on Interstate and International Relocation, Speaker, "Interstate and International Relocation", Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2008
- Presented on Third Party Custody, Speaker, "Third Party Custody", Washington County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, Stillwater, Minnesota, 2007
- Co-author Thomas W. Tuft, Co-Author, "Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues", Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2006
- Presented on Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues, Speaker, "Interstate and International Jurisdiction and Custody Issues", Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2006
- Presented on Third-Party Custody and Visitation, Speaker, "Third-Party Custody and Visitation", Ramsey County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2005
- Co-author Thomas W. Tuft, Co-Author, "International Parental Child Abduction,", Bench & Bar, Volume LXI Number XI, 2004
- Co-author Bruce T. Downing, Ph.D., Co-Author, "Interpreting and the Law", Ramsey County Bar Association Barrister,, 2003
- Co-author Thomas W. Tuft, Co-Author, "International Custody Jurisdiction: The Hague Convention," Volume 12, No. 3, Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Forum, 2002
- Co-author Thomas W. Tuft, Co-Author, "Preventing Parental Kidnapping: Jurisdictional and Enforcement Issues," Volume 12, No. 3, Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Forum, 2002
- A co-lecture with Thomas Tuft on Child Custody Law in Minnesota, repeated again in 2002, Co-Lecturer, "Custody Issues: An Overview of Child Custody Law in Minnesota", Lorman Education Services, Bloomington, Minnesota, 2001
- Presented on enforcing Child Support and Child Custody Orders that involve more than one state, Speaker, "Interstate Enforcement of Child Support and Child Custody Orders", Ramsey County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2000
- Presented on the UCCJEA, Speaker, "Taming the Beast: The Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act", Ramsey County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 2000
- Presented on Minnesota laws surround children's medical and mental health records, Speaker, Lorman Education Services, Bloomington, Minnesota, "Children's Records Law in Minnesota: Medical and Mental Health Records", 2000
- Co-author Thomas W. Tuft, Co-Author, "Determining Child Custody Across Jurisdictions," Volume LVI Number XI, Bench & Bar, 1999
- Co-author Thomas W. Tuft, Co-Author, "Parental Kidnapping and Child Safety: Current Case Law Trends", MILE Seminar, Bloomington, Minnesota, 1999
Industry Groups
- Families
Office location for Valerie A. Arnold
1422 W Lake St
Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: 952-955-8008
Selections
13 Years Super Lawyers
4 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2003 - 2004, 2006, 2008
