The end of a relationship can be stressful for any Minnesota couple. When that couple has children, the stress can be multiplied. With all the child custody decisions that have to be made it can be easy for couples to forget about the future. While the children may be young now, it won't be long before they are ready to head off to college. As most Minnesotans know, college is expensive and many parents do not want to saddle their children with the entire amount.
Child custody and the presumption of shared parenting
When parents divorce in Minnesota, each parent is entitled to 25 percent custody and time with their child, so long as the parents are deemed mentally fit and safe. The court divides the remaining 50 percent if parents are unable to reach their own agreement. In recent years, however, some groups have started a push to amend these rules to require a more even presumption, commonly known as shared parenting.
Should 'shared parenting' be go-to in Minnesota custody cases?
Laws are not set in stone, including the family laws that impact family's futures and well-being. When societal norms change and/or when laws just don't seem to be serving the best interest of society, it is up to lawmakers and citizens to act.
Keeping abreast of evolving child custody laws
While no divorce is ever an easy path to walk, it can become much more emotionally intense when children are involved. The process of determining child custody and parenting time here in Minnesota or in any other state is rarely cut and dry, as a potentially evolving law in a neighboring state demonstrates.
France might say 'oui' to more collaborative type of divorce
No two divorces are the same. Every case has its own family, individuals, history and goals behind it. Some divorces take place in a courtroom. They might involve disgruntled, unfriendly parties who debate every single aspect of their divorce settlement.
Managing child custody disputes during the holidays
The holidays can be stressful for divorced parents. Even when child custody matters such as legal custody and physical custody have been settled, it is not uncommon for disputes over parenting time and visitation rights to come up. This is especially true during the holiday season when conflict between couples is often heightened. Fortunately, conflict related to child custody can be avoided. Minnesota readers may find the following advice on parenting time planning during the holiday season helpful.
Father's rights and changing trends in custody
When parents divorce child custody is usually a central issue. In every child custody case, the court must assign both physical custody rights and legal custody rights. In most child custody cases, parents receive joint legal custody of their children. This means that both parents have a voice over how a child is raised. Physical custody, however, is generally assigned to one parent, while the other parent receives visitation rights.
Minnesota business helps parents collect child support
When parents divorce one parent is generally identified as the custodial parent. The custodial parent is the parent with physical custody or more allocated parenting time. The non-custodial parent is usually granted visitation rights and is also the parent that pays child support. In most states, if a parent fails to make a support payment the other parent can seek help in court. A Minnesota company, however, is providing parents with a new method.
Protecting parental interests in child custody disputes
Negotiating child custody agreements can be difficult, especially when geography is an issue. Even in the best situations couples disagree on visitation rights and parenting plans, imagine how difficult this can be if one spouse decides to relocate. Nevertheless an agreement must be made, and that is where the aid of an experienced family law attorney and a strong understanding of the family courts are essential.
The role of terminology in child custody disputes
Child custody disputes can be complicated. Too often parents get hung up on the wrong issues. The legal terminology in Minnesota child custody cases can be misleading. Terms like "custodial parent" can leave parents with the false impression that one party has a larger role in the child's life than the other. Rather than focusing on such side issues, the focus should really be on parenting time and visitation rights.
