Family law is incredibly personal, especially when it deals with custody and parenting time. Deciding on the specifics of a parenting time agreement can be difficult and complex. Even with a written order, situations or unforeseen obligations may arise that both parents cannot anticipate during their normal parenting time. Flexibility is needed in any custody
Many MN family law matters involve social media implications. We live in the age of technology. In the last ten years, social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become increasingly popular. Social media has become a convenient way to stay connected with friends and family with the touch of a button. It
The current COVID-19 pandemic is creating a new sense of normal. Many people may be wondering how the COVID-19 will impact their parenting time. What are you allowed or not allowed to do? For all co-parents, it is important to understand the executive and court orders regarding your parenting time to insure you are operating
Divorce may end your official marital relationship, but as parents, you’ll likely maintain some semblance of contact throughout your children’s lives. If you intend to co-parent, this contact could prove surprisingly frequent; many divorced parents check in on a daily basis. Conflict is to be expected, but it can quickly be resolved with effective communication
No matter how necessary, divorce is, by nature, emotionally wrenching for all parties involved. Beyond the inherent conflict between separating spouses, this process may also lead to significant issues between other family members — including, most notably, divorcing parents and their children.
It’s possible to achieve a new normal, but far from easy. Reunification therapy
Child custody and parenting time arrangements vary dramatically from one couple to the next. When resolved in court, these matters largely come down to the best interests of the child. This can be frustrating for parents, who may disagree vehemently on what, exactly, constitutes a child’s best interests. In Minnesota, courts typically take the following factors into account:
Continue Reading How Does the Court Determine What’s in the Child’s Best Interests?
While most Minnesota custody proceedings involve birth parents, third parties occasionally play a role in this process. Generally, Minnesota courts emphasize the best interests of the child, which include maintaining strong relationships with both parents. In select circumstances, traditional parental custody might not be ideal for vulnerable children — particularly if birth parents hold a history of abuse or neglect. In such situations, the custody of a third party such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or another adult may be the best option for maintaining the health and emotional wellbeing of the child in question.
From job opportunities to a distaste for cold weather, a variety of factors may prompt divorced parents to leave Minnesota. Such departures may be totally justified, but they still cause considerable upheaval for the children of divorce. An out-of-state move may prompt new custody and parenting time concerns, as outlined below:
Preserving the Best Interests
Divorced and separated couples find parenting time difficult enough to navigate in the best of circumstances, but the holidays add yet another hurdle to overcome. Even those who are typically in agreement regarding scheduling matters may struggle to see eye-to-eye when the holidays arrive. After all, no holiday celebration feels quite complete without the entire family. With a little effort, a reasonably satisfying outcome can be reached to allow both sides to enjoy quality time with their children. Keep reading to learn how:
Continue Reading Guide to Managing Parenting Time And the Holidays
An alarming number of Minnesota children face neglect or abuse. Unable to advocate for themselves, these children may be forced to suffer in silence. The Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Program aims to address this problem by ensuring that the best interests of vulnerable children are represented in court. Keep reading to learn more about this