Tifanne E. E. Wolter

Attorney

Minneapolis

612-672-3639

twolter@messerlikramer.com

Assistant: Amy Stewart

612-672-3658

Profile

Tifanne Wolter is an experienced family law attorney who guides clients through some of life’s most personal and challenging legal matters. She has a particular niche in representing individuals involved in contentious child custody matters, but she also focuses her practice on divorce, parenting time, paternity, child support, third-party custody, and domestic abuse proceedings, providing practical counsel and strong advocacy tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

A trained collaborative divorce attorney and mediator, Tifanne earned a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Hamline University School of Law. She is committed to helping clients resolve disputes efficiently through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution whenever possible, while remaining fully prepared to protect their interests in the courtroom when litigation is necessary. Her thoughtful, compassionate approach helps clients navigate difficult transitions with confidence and clarity. Tifanne also has substantial experience with appellate work.

In addition to representing clients, Tifanne serves as a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral, providing mediation and parenting consultant services. Her extensive experience in dispute resolution allows her to facilitate productive conversations and assist families in reaching practical, lasting agreements.

Tifanne is widely recognized for her leadership within Minnesota’s family law community. She is a past chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Family Law Section and is a frequent presenter for state and national continuing legal education programs. She has also served on the planning committee for the Minnesota Family Law Institute and volunteers as a Conciliation Court Referee in Dakota County.

Her professional accomplishments have earned her recognition as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star (2014–2018) and a Minnesota Super Lawyer (2021–2026). She has also received a 10.0 Superb Rating from Avvo as a Top Family Attorney.

Representative Experience
  • Shaw v. Shaw, A15-0771 (Minn. App. 2016)
  • Scherman v. Scherman, A14-1029 (Minn. App. June 15, 2015)
  • In re: the Petition of K.P.W. and J.L.H. to Adopt S.Q.-B.W., A13-1754 (Minn. App. March 3, 2014)
  • Limberg v. Mitchell, 834 N.W.2d 211 (Minn. App. 2013)
  • Sigstad v. Sigstad, A10-0258 (Minn. App. December 14, 2011)
  • Salzer v. Gibbs, A09-1927 (Minn. App. August 17, 2010)
  • Kowalski v. Kowalski A08-0402 (Minn. App. February 17, 2009)
Publications & Presentations

Publications

  • Author, “No, You Can’t Call Him a @?%#! on Facebook” – Bench and Bar Magazine, March 2019

Presentations

  • Presenter, “Financial Issues in Divorce for Paralegals” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Top Challenges for Family Law Paralegals” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “ESI Challenges in Family Law” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Asset and Debt Division in Divorce” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “What Family Law Paralegals Need to Know about Smartphone, Text & Social Media Evidence” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Divorce: Gathering Evidence from Electronic Devices” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Divorce Litigation: Avoiding Common Mistakes” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Handling the Divorce Case from Start to Finish: A Paralegal’s Guide” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Advanced Family Law for Paralegals” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “QDROs, Taxes, and Asset Issues in Divorce” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Family Law: Advanced Issues and Answers” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Divorce Law: Concealing Assets, Electronic Spying and Other Dirty Tricks Exposed” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Divorce 2020: New Laws, Tax Rules and Trends” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Discovering Hidden Assets in Divorce” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Smartphone and Social Media Evidence in Family Law” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Paralegal’s Guide to Complex Divorce Cases” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Tax and Retirement Issues in Divorce: QDROs, 1041s and More” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Mistakes Even Experienced Family Law Paralegals Make” – National Business Institute CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Family Law in the Midst of COVID” – H&S Webinar, July 2020
  • Presenter, “Social Media Issues in Family Law When the Genie Won’t Go Back into the Bottle” – Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, 2020
  • Presenter, “Divorce Litigation: Avoiding Common Mistakes” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Divorce: Gathering Evidence from Electronic Devices” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Family Law: Advanced Issues and Answers” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Authenticating and Admitting Evidence in Divorce” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Case Management 101 for Family Law Paralegals” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Handling the Divorce Case from Start to Finish: A Paralegal’s Guide” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Advanced Divorce Litigation” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Prenuptial Agreements: The Ultimate Guide” – National Business Institute CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Social Media and Its Impact on Family Law” – Association of Family & Conciliation Courts CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “How Divorce Impacted My Practice” – Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Quick Answers to the Legal Questions Friends, Relatives and Strangers Will Ask Anytime, Anywhere” – New Lawyer Experience – Minnesota CLE, 2019
  • Presenter, “Authenticating and Admitting Evidence in Divorce” – National Business Institute CLE, 2018
  • Presenter, “Smartphone, Text and Social Media Evidence in Divorce Litigation” – National Business Institute CLE, 2018
  • Presenter, “Smart Phone and Social Media Evidence in Divorce Litigation” – National Business Institute CLE, 2018
  • Presenter, “Divorce: Gathering Evidence from Electronic Devices” – National Business Institute CLE, 2018
  • Presenter, “Family Law: Advanced Issues and Answers” – National Business Institute CLE, 2018
  • Presenter, “Answers to Common Questions about Parenting Time Modifications” – Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, 2018
  • Presenter, “Minnesota’s New Child Support Law” – Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2018
  • Presenter, “Smartphone & Social Media Evidence in Divorce Litigation” – National Business Institute CLE, 2017
  • Presenter, “Cleaning up the Spilled Milk” – Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, 2017
  • Presenter, “Would you Want the Judge to Know That?” – Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2017
  • Presenter, “Would you Want the Judge to Know That?” – Ramsey County Bar Association, 2017
  • Presenter, “Family Law: Navigating the Fundamentals” – National Business Institute CLE, 2016
  • Presenter, “E-Discovery in Divorce” – National Business Institute CLE, 2016
  • Presenter, “Keep Calm and File an Emergency Motion” – Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, 2016
  • Presenter, “Advice for Representing the Respondent in an Order for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order” – Ramsey County Bar Association, 2016
Professional & Community

Admissions

  • Minnesota

  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota

Associations

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
  • Minnesota Women Lawyers, Member
  • Collaborative Law Institute, Former Member
  • Volunteer Lawyers Network, Former Member
  • Legal Assistance Clinic Hennepin County, Former Member

Certifications

  • Dispute Resolution Certification
  • Rule 114 Qualified Family Law Neutral
Honors & Distinctions
  • Super Lawyer, Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2021-2026
  • Rising Star, Minnesota Super Lawyer®, 2007, 2014-2018
  • 10.0 Superb Rating as a Top Family Law Attorney as rated by the AVVO directory