Parenting Time Attorney Near Me

Parenting Time Attorney Near Me

Parenting time is a primary factor in any divorce that involves children, but the matter goes well beyond divorce to include legal separations, parenting time modifications, parenting time schedules while divorces are pending, and parenting time schedules for parents who were never married. Every parenting time case is unique to the situation at hand and the unique individuals involved, which makes working with an experienced parenting time attorney near you the best path forward. 

Parenting Time

In Minnesota, child custody is divided into legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody addresses the matter of how parents handle primary decision-making, and physical custody addresses parenting time – or when your children are with you and when they’re with their other parent. If you and your ex are able to negotiate a parenting plan that guides your schedule during the school year, holidays, vacations, summer break, and beyond, you can count on the court signing off on it. If you’re not able to reach an agreement, however, the court will devise a parenting time schedule on your behalf, and you can expect it to be one of several standard issue options. 

Your Children’s Best Interests

When you and your children’s other parent address parenting time concerns, you both want what’s best for your children, but your take on the matter may vary considerably from your ex’s. If you need the court to weigh in, you can expect it to be guided solely by what it perceives to be your children’s best interests. Barring a reason for ruling otherwise, however, Minnesota courts strive to maximize the amount of time each parent is allowed to spend with their children – based on the prevailing belief that children benefit from continuing to maintain close relationships with both parents. 

Best Interest Factors

Minnesota courts turn to a wide range of factors when called upon to determine children’s best interests in parenting time cases, including all the following:

• Each parent’s scheduling preferences
• The preferences of any children who are considered mature enough to voice their reasonable opinions
• Each child’s unique physical, emotional, and cultural needs, including any special needs that must be addressed
• Each parent’s ability to successfully address these needs 
• Each parent’s level of participation in raising the children to date
• Any concerns related to domestic violence, child abuse, or neglect
• Each parent’s commitment to supporting the other’s ongoing relationship with the children
• Each parent’s overall commitment to upholding the parenting plan
• How well the children have adjusted to their current living situation, including their home, school, and community 
• The benefits of maximizing the amount of time each parent is allowed to spend with the children
• Any additional factors deemed relevant by the court   

Consult with an Experienced Parenting Time Attorney near You Today

The accomplished Minnesota parenting time attorneys at Atticus Family Law have a wealth of imposing experience successfully guiding challenging parenting time cases like yours toward advantageous outcomes, and we’re on your side. Your case is important, so please don’t put off reaching out and contacting us for more information today.