Experienced Elk River, Minnesota Child Custody Lawyers

Whether you are seeking a divorce, are unmarried or are looking to pursue a modification of child custody, ensure you turn to an experienced team of lawyers. At White & Associates, we have been serving Elk River and surrounding communities for nearly 20 years. We know what you’re up against and how to proactively pursue your custody goals.

Child Custody : The Best Interests Standard

Minnesota requires that all child custody and parenting time arrangements are in the best interests of the children. So what exactly does “best interests” mean? According to the State, a child’s best interests encompass a variety of factors, including:

  • The wishes of the parents
  • The wishes of the child
  • The relationships between the parents and the child
  • The stability of the child’s current surroundings
  • The child’s ability to adjust to new surroundings
  • The parents’ ability to cooperate
  • Each parent’s mental and physical health
  • The child’s mental and physical health

Our divorce attorneys can walk you through this best interests standard to help you understand what it means and how it will likely apply in your situation. From there, we will help you craft a custody arrangement that follows this standard.

Types of Custody

The term “custody,” when used alone, can generally mean one of four different terms:

  • Legal custody: This refers to a parent’s right to make major decisions regarding his or her child’s upbringing, including schooling, religion and medical care.
  • Physical custody: Physical custody refers to the routine daily care and control of the child.
  • Joint custody: This is where both parents are equally responsible for and/or have a structured agreement regarding their children. In the absence of issues involving domestic violence, the law presumes joint legal custody is in the best interests of the children.
  • Sole custody: Sole custody occurs when only one parent has legal custody or physical custody.

The Role of Parenting Time in Custody Cases

Parenting time is the actual amount of time the child is scheduled to spend with a parent. Parenting time also directly affects the amount of child support each parent will have to pay.

Third-Party Child Custody Cases

We have witnessed a steady increase in third-party custody cases across the area. These include claims for grandparents’ rights. If you would like time to spend with your grandchild or otherwise believe a change in custody or other legal rights is in the best interests of a child, reach out to us.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation Today

We offer free consultations to all new clients. Call us today at 763-241-0477 or contact our child custody lawyers online. We will schedule a time to speak with you about your custody concerns and help you more forward in a way that serves your and your children’s best interests. Se habla español.