| The laws that govern child custody in Minnesota | | | | both parents. |
| are found in Chapter 518 of the Minnesota | | | | 3. The interaction and relationship between the |
| Statutes. The standard that has been legislated | | | | child and siblings and other significant family |
| for any custody situation is that any decision | | | | members.This can have a big impact on the |
| made should be in the best interest of the child. | | | | custody schedule. Children need to be allowed to |
| This is especially applicable to the creation of the | | | | continue to pursue relationships with important |
| custody and visitation schedule. The schedule | | | | family members, like siblings and grandparents. |
| must reflect and fulfill the needs of the child and | | | | The law specifically states that it is best for the |
| the parents should focus on the child's welfare as | | | | children to stay in contact with family. The |
| they consider every aspect of the schedule. To | | | | schedule needs to provide this opportunity. |
| help the mother and father, the law specifically | | | | 4. The adjustment to home, school, and |
| states factors that the state thinks are important | | | | community. Some children adapt very well to |
| when determining what is best for children. Here | | | | change and don't have any problems when their |
| are the factors, found in Chapter 518.17, that | | | | environment switches. Other children need more |
| parents must ponder when making a custody | | | | stability and need more of a home base. The |
| schedule. | | | | schedule should anticipate what the children need |
| 1. The wishes of the parents and the reasonable | | | | and provide the best possible scenario for them. |
| preference of the child. The mother and father | | | | 5. The length of time the child has lived in a stable, |
| both have a say in what is best for the children. | | | | satisfactory environment and the permanence of |
| Ideally, the parents should work together to | | | | the existing or proposed custodial home. This |
| create a visitation schedule that they both | | | | goes along with the factor above. The state of |
| approve of and feel benefits the children. | | | | Minnesota has deemed it best for the children to |
| However, sometimes there are disagreements | | | | have continuity and consistency. This means that |
| about the schedule. In those cases, the court | | | | the court will not interrupt a situation where the |
| determines what is best for the child. If the child | | | | child is happy and thriving. Parents should make |
| is old enough, the court will consider his/her | | | | their schedule to go along with this. |
| wishes. | | | | 6. The capacity and abilities of the parents to fulfill |
| 2. The primary caretaker and the intimacy of the | | | | the needs of the child. The visitation schedule |
| relationship between each parent and the child. | | | | needs to allow the child to have enough time with |
| This factor impacts who the custodial parent | | | | the mother and father. The amount of time given |
| should be. It is best for children to have | | | | to each parent can depend on the parenting |
| consistency, and that means that if one parent | | | | abilities of the mother and father. The state |
| has been the primary caretaker, that parent | | | | considers the best situation when both parents |
| should continue to do so. A schedule should also | | | | are capable of providing for the child and both |
| be made to allow the child significant time with | | | | parents stay involved. |