Source: https://www.womenslaw.org/es/leyes/mn/custodia
Timestamp: 2020-07-05 15:59:42
Document Index: 177016897

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 257', '§ 518', '§ 518', '§ 518', '§ 518', '§ 518', '§ 518', '§ 518']

Minnesota Custodia | WomensLaw.org
Minnesota: Custodia
This page includes information about custody that is specific to Minnesota. There is also a page with general custody information that you may find helpful. In our general Custody page, we have information about custody that is not specific to any state. The page includes a section about how to try to transfer your custody case to a new state where you are living so that you can modify the custody order from your new state.
What factors will a judge consider when deciding if the parents should have joint custody?
Can the non-custodial parent have access the child's medical, health, and school records?
Where can I find more information on custody in Minnesota?
A judge will make a decision about custody based on what s/he thinks is in your child’s best interest. The judge will look at any factor that s/he thinks is important to make this decision including, but not limited to:
the child’s physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual, and other needs, and the effect of the proposed arrangements on the child’s needs and development;
the reasonable preference of the child, if the judge believes that the child has sufficient ability, age, and maturity to express an “independent, reliable preference;”
whether domestic abuse, as defined by law, has occurred in either parent’s household or relationship; the nature and context of the domestic abuse; and the implications of the domestic abuse on his/her parenting abilities and the child’s safety, well-being, and developmental needs;
the effect of changes to the child’s home, school, and community on the child’s well-being and development;
the effect of the proposed arrangements on the ongoing relationships between the child and each parent, siblings, and other significant people in the child’s life;
the benefit to the child in maximizing parenting time with both parents and the harm to the child in limiting parenting time with either parent;
except in cases in which domestic abuse (as defined by law) has occurred, the readiness of each parent to support the child’s relationship with the other parent and to encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact between the child and the other parent; and
the willingness and ability of parents to cooperate in raising their child; to maximize the sharing of information and minimize exposure of the child to parental conflict; and to utilize methods for resolving disputes regarding any major decision concerning the life of the child;1 and
whether or not a parent violated the criminal law against falsely reporting child abuse.2
Note: The judge is not supposed to consider acts/behavior of a parent that does not affect the parent’s relationship with the child. Also, the fact that the parent or the child may have a disability is not supposed to be the only factor that determines who should get custody.3 Lastly, if a parent is in the military, the judge cannot consider the parent’s past deployment or possible future deployment in determining the best interests of the child.4
1 Minn. Stat. §§ 257.025(a); 518.17(1)(a)
2 Minn. Stat. §§ 518.17(1)(b)(6); 609.507
3 Minn. Stat. § 518.17(1)(b)(4),(5)
4 Minn. Stat. § 518.17(1)(c)
If one or both parent(s) are asking for joint legal custody, the judge is supposed to assume that joint legal custody is in the best interests of the child (but either parent can present evidence to the judge to change his/her mind.) However, if one parent has committed domestic abuse (as defined by law) against the other parent, the judge will assume that both joint legal and joint physical custody are not in the best interest of the child (but the other parent can still present evidence to try to change the judge’s mind and prove why s/he should get joint custody). In deciding whether or not the abusive parent has presented enough evidence to change the judge’s mind about joint custody, the judge will look at the nature and context of the domestic abuse; the implications of the domestic abuse on his/her ability to parent and its effect on the child’s safety, well-being, and developmental needs.1
1 Minn. Stat. § 518.17(1)(b)(9)
Even though the judge will consider the negative impact that domestic violence has had on the child (whether the abuse is against you, the child, or another person), it is possible that a parent who has committed violence will get custody or visitation. The law says that the judge must consider:
whether domestic abuse, as defined by law, has occurred in either parent’s household or relationship;
the nature and context of the domestic abuse;
the implications of the domestic abuse on his/her parenting abilities; and
the implications of the domestic abuse on the child’s safety, well-being, and developmental needs.1
If one parent has committed domestic abuse (as defined by law) against the other parent, there is a “rebuttable presumption” against that parent getting joint custody. What this means is that the judge will assume that both joint legal and joint physical custody are not in the best interest of the child. However, the other parent can still present evidence to try to change the judge’s mind and prove why s/he should get joint custody. In deciding whether or not the abusive parent has presented enough evidence to change the judge’s mind about joint custody, the judge will consider factors 2, 3, and 4 listed above.2
It is recommended that you seek legal advice from a lawyer to assist you in a custody case involving domestic violence issues. For information on how to find a lawyer see our MN Finding a Lawyer page.
1 Minn. Stat. § 518.17(1)(a)(4)
2 Minn. Stat. § 518.17(1)(b)(9)
Generally, yes. Both parents, regardless of who has custody, will have the following rights regarding the child unless the judge takes away any of these rights in an effort to protect the welfare of the other parent or the child:
the right to access (and to receive copies of) school, medical, dental, and religious training records, police reports, and other important records and information about the child;
the right to access information regarding health or dental insurance available to the child;
the right to be informed by the other parent as to the name and address of the school the child attends;
the right to be informed by school officials about the children’s welfare, educational progress and status, and to attend school and parent-teacher conferences. The school is not required to hold a separate conference for each party, unless attending the same conference would result in violation of a court order prohibiting contact between the parties;
the right to be notified by the other parent of an accident or serious illness of a minor child, including the name of the health care provider and the place of treatment;
the right to be notified by the other parent if the child is the victim of an alleged crime, including the name of the investigating law enforcement officer or agency. However, there is no duty to notify the other parent if s/he is the alleged perpetrator of the crime; and
the right to reasonable access to the child and to telephone or other electronic contact with the child.1
1 Minn. Statutes § 518.17(3)(b),(c) & (3a)
The Minnesota Judicial Branch has links to court forms related to custody and parenting time.
Lawhelp.org provides information on custody, paternity, and parenting time and about relocating out of state and more.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services also provides information on parentage (paternity), which is geared for both mothers and fathers.
WomensLaw.org is not affiliated with any of the above websites. We provide the links for your information only.
In some cases, to protect your child from immediate danger by the abuser, starting a case to ask for custody and supervised visits is appropriate. To find out what may be best in your situation, please go to MN Finding a Lawyer to seek out legal advice.