Zachary A. Kretchmer
Top rated Family Law attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Kretchmer Family Law, PLLC
Practice areas: Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 2003
Education: William Mitchell College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2013 Call today:
612-887-3997
Virtual Appointments Kretchmer Family Law, PLLC
1600 Utica Ave SSuite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55416 Visit website
Zak Kretchmer is a family law attorney and experienced alternative dispute resolution professional with Kretchmer Family Law, PLLC. His practice is now primarily devoted to helping families, attorneys, and courts resolve difficult family law disputes outside the traditional litigation process. He serves as a mediator, arbitrator, parenting consultant, and neutral evaluator in matters involving custody and parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, marital and nonmarital property, and complex financial issues.
With more than two decades of family law experience, Mr. Kretchmer brings substantial legal knowledge and practical judgment to the dispute resolution process. He works with represented and self-represented parties to identify the issues that matter most, evaluate realistic outcomes, and develop durable solutions. As a parenting consultant, he assists parents in resolving ongoing disputes involving parenting schedules, holidays, vacations, travel, activities, communication, and other issues affecting their children.
Mr. Kretchmer earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in 2003. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has served in leadership roles with the Minnesota Chapter. He was also a founding member of the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and previously served as co-chair of the Family Law Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association.
Mr. Kretchmer is frequently invited to speak on advanced family law and dispute resolution topics for state and national organizations. His approach is direct, organized, and focused on the long-term consequences of family law decisions. He provides candid feedback rather than simply confirming the positions of the parties and works to ensure that each participant has the information necessary to make sound decisions.
In every role, Mr. Kretchmer emphasizes preparation, efficiency, and the needs of children. He understands that family disputes are often legally complex and personally exhausting. His objective is to provide a fair and structured process that allows families to resolve conflict, reduce uncertainty, and move forward without unnecessary expense or prolonged court involvement.
Practice areas
Family Law, Alternative Dispute ResolutionFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Arbitration, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Father's Rights, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation, Name Change, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 80% Family Law
- 20% Alternative Dispute Resolution
First Admitted: 2003, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://www.kretchmerfamilylaw.com/attorney/kretchmer-zachar...
Bar / Professional Activity
- Co-chair, Divorce Camp Planning Committee, 2019
- Minnesota Supreme Court, 2003
- Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Member, Warren E. Burger American Inn of Court
- Fellow and member of the Board of Managers of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Program Co-chair, Family Law Section - Hennepin County Bar Association, 2008
Pro bono / Community Service
- Volunteer attorney providing services for low-income clients through Tubman, 2020
Educational Background
- Masters in Business Communications, University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN
- B.A. in Journalism, University of Texas at Arlington
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (18 June, 2012)"New Lawyer: Family ADR Advocacy"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (4 June, 2012)"Family Law Basics"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (26 March, 2012)2012 Family Law Institute – "Annual Case Law & Legislative Update"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (21 November, 2011)"Family Law: Hot Topics"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (7 July, 2011)"Summer New Lawyer Experience"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (28 March, 2011)2011 Family Law Institute – "Annual Case Law & Legislative Update"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (19 January, 2011)"Introduction to Minnesota Family Law"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (28 November, 2007)"Child Support: MN's New Law in Practice"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (7 October, 2005)"Minnesota's New Child Support Law"
- Mr. Kretchmer has been published in the Family Law Quarterly
- 35th Annual Family Law Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 2014)"Your First Minnesota Divorce" and "Annual Case Law & Legislative Update", Speaker, 2015
- Family Law Forum: Dealing effectively with opposing counsel., 2009
- Speaker, 35th Annual Family Law Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 2014)"Your First Minnesota Divorce" and "Annual Case Law & Legislative Update"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (21 November, 2013)"Advanced Family Law 2013"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (21 June, 2013)"Your First Minnesota Divorce Case"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (19 March, 2013)2013 Family Law Institute – "Annual Case Law & Legislative Update"
- Speaker, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, Minnesota (22 June, 2012)"21st Century Practice: Family Law"
Honors
- Rising Stars: 2009 – 2013
- Top 100 (2017 - present), Minnesota Law & Politics, 2020
- 2014 - Present, Super Lawyer
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Settlement oriented.”
“Mr. Kretchmer is the embodiment of an effective attorney and mediator. He is level headed, straightforward, professional, and is able to come up with common sense solutions.”
“I have worked with Zak on many mediation matters. He has the unique ability to connect with both parties and assist with thoughtful, real-world evaluative feedback, as applied considering current law, knowledge of the county of venue and judicial officer, and other factors.”
“We just worked with Zak for mediation. He was excellent at connecting with each party and creating a space for progress. I highly recommend him!”
“He is whip smart and a pleasure to work with”
“Great, fair, attorney.”
“Zak is my go-to attorney when I am struggling with a complex family law case or an ethical dilemma. I know he does the same for other attorneys. He freely offers his time to help coach or serve as a sounding board for other attorneys. He is a professional who is both a tough and fair attorney. He is respected in the legal community and is a top-notch family law attorney. Zak frequently teaches CLEs and does the annual case law update for the MN Family Law Institute. He is a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. As a skilled family law mediator, he knows how to help folks see the other side's perspective. His reasoned and skilled approach allows him to be able to de-escalate most situations in a calm and professional matter.”
“Zak knows family law inside and out. He is reasonable, practical and smart. He's great at settling cases but is also a tough advocate.”
Office location for Zachary A. Kretchmer
1600 Utica Ave S
Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: 612-887-3997
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2009 - 2013
