If you need an attorney regarding a custody dispute in Minnesota, contact Loon Law today at (612) 524-8563!

Child custody, when disputed, can be one of the most stressful and emotional events during any separation, but it is also one of the most important parts to decide for the well-being of the children involved. Many times, custody can be determined fairly between the parents in an amicable separation, but if they cannot decide, a judge will decide for them. In Minnesota, any child custody, parenting time, and/or visitation decisions must be made with the best interests of the child in mind.

There are two types of custody that need to be determined in any custody action: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody generally involves the right to make decisions about the major events in the child’s life, such as education, medical care, and religion. Physical custody typically is the right to make routine decisions about the day-to-day care of the child including their activities and location.

Each type of custody can be either joint or sole. Joint legal custody usually means that each parent shares an equal say in the decisions regarding the major events in the child’s life. Sole legal custody typically means that only one parent has a say in the decisions regarding the major events in the child’s life. Joint physical custody usually refers to both parents having an equal say over the day-to-day care of the child. Sole physical custody typically refers to one parent having sole decision making power over daily decisions regarding the care of the child.

Every court in Minnesota will weight the best interests of the child whenever making any determination regarding custody, parenting time, and/or visitation regarding any child. Some of the factors deemed to be in the best interests of the child include the reasonable preference of the child, the parents’ ability to cooperate in the child’s upbringing, the effect that environmental changes would have on the child, each parent’s physical and mental health, the child’s physical and mental health, and the effect the arrangement would have on the relationship between the child and the significant peoples in the child’s life. These are just a few of the best interest standards the attorneys at Loon Law can walk you through.