| Chapter 518 in the Minnesota statues contains the | | | | the Minnesota Statutes contains the law that |
| laws and guidelines concerning child custody in | | | | requires parents in a custody situation to attend a |
| Minnesota. This is important information for | | | | parent education class. These classes are |
| anyone involved in a custody situation. These laws | | | | sponsored by the court, and there are different |
| are especially relevant as the parents create a | | | | class requirements depending on the situation. |
| parenting plan and custody agreement. The | | | | These classes help parents understand the impact |
| mother and father need to know the statutes so | | | | that divorce has on the children and educates |
| they can be assured that their agreement will be | | | | them on creating the best parenting plan and |
| accepted by the court and that it is the best one | | | | resolving disputes. If a mother and father are |
| for their situation. Here are some highlights of the | | | | involved in a contested custody battle, there are |
| law that pertain to the agreement. | | | | additional classes they must attend. The county |
| 1. The creation of a parenting plan. Chapter | | | | courts have the schedules and more information |
| 518.1705 contains the information about the laws | | | | about the area. |
| that affect the making of a parenting plan (this is | | | | 3. Modification of the plan. Chapter 518.1705 |
| also called a custody agreement, although the | | | | contains a section on how parents can modify |
| state of Minnesota uses the term parenting plan). | | | | their plan after it has been accepted by the court. |
| According to this statute, the plan must contain a | | | | The mother and father can modify the amount |
| schedule of the time each parent spends with the | | | | of time the child spends with each parent if both |
| child, an allocation of decision-making responsibility | | | | parents agree to the change. In order for the plan |
| concerning the child, a method for resolving | | | | to be enforced by the court, it must become |
| disputes, and any other issues the parents want | | | | part of the court order. If the mother and father |
| to include. The parents can work together to | | | | do not agree, the court will decide a modification |
| make a plan, or the court can intervene and | | | | by determining if it is in the best interest of the |
| make a plan for the situation. | | | | child. |
| 2. Parent Education Program. Chapter 518.157 in | | | | |