Focused On Achieving Favorable Outcomes In Child Custody And Parenting Time Matters
One of the hardest things in any divorce or child custody dispute is that your relationship with your children will change. It is very likely that you will not spend the same amount of time with your kids as you did prior to your divorce.
In spite of these realities, an experienced lawyer can help you and your children move forward from this difficult time. The experienced, compassionate family law firm attorneys of Jensen Law Offices can help you achieve your goals.
Advocating For Your Rights And Your Child’s Best Interests
Every custody dispute will be decided on what the court considers to be in the best interests of the child. Courts have broad discretion in determining what exactly is in a child’s best interests. Therefore, your lawyer must be able to make a persuasive case on your behalf. Our family law attorneys share your custody and parenting time (visitation) goals, and will work hard to see them accomplished.
There are two components to each custody matter: legal custody and physical custody. In most divorces, parents will share legal custody of the children. In fact, Minnesota law presumes that joint legal custody is in the best interests of the child. Under joint legal custody, each parent has equal rights in determining major issues relating to the child’s upbringing such as religion, health care and education.
Physical custody involves where the child lives and parenting time (visitation) arrangements. There are obviously a number of variables that can impact your specific goals. You can rely on our law firm to assist you in meeting your goals for physical custody and parenting time. Feel free to review our sample parenting plan and parenting time expediter prior to contacting our law firm. If you have additional questions about child custody, we have answered some of the most common questions about it here:
What is the difference between legal and physical custody?
When parents are pursuing custody over their children, they may be surprised to learn there are two forms of custody to consider. Legal custody refers to the legal right to make decisions for your children, such as education and medical decisions. Physical custody determines where the child will live and for how long at a time.
How do courts determine custody?
The primary goal in custody arrangements is to protect the child’s best interests, which a court does by looking at many factors. Some primary factors include the income of each spouse, the preference of the child if awarding one parent primary custody would cause a major relocation for the child, the type of environment each home offers and if the parent is a possible danger to the child.
Is it possible to modify the custody agreement?
There are circumstances that can cause a court to change a custody agreement. If a parent with only visitation rights improves their living conditions and ability to provide for their child, a court might grant them joint custody. Other situations include the death of a parent, necessary relocation, new safety needs and medical emergencies. Each case is unique, and we can help you make your voice heard if you are looking for help to either protect the divorce decree or modify it.
Get A Trusted Legal Ally By Your Side
It can be overwhelming to face a child custody dispute alone, which is why we are here to help. Do not hesitate to contact us and schedule your consultation to discuss your legal concerns. You can reach us easily at 952-893-5532 or by completing our online form.