Cementing Parent-Child Bonds Through Constructive Custody Arrangements

For parents facing an impending divorce or separation, child custody matters can cause significant stress and conflict. The outcome affects your right to make child-rearing decisions and the amount of time you spend with your child. Backed by substantial experience both in and out of court, the attorneys at Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, PLLP, are well-equipped to provide custody solutions that fit your family’s needs.

Legal, Physical And Visitation Time

Minnesota and Wisconsin family courts award custody and parenting time using the best interests of the child standard. Legal custody decisions determine if one or both parents have the authority to make major decisions about the child. Physical custody establishes where the child will live. Parenting time allocates the amount of time the child will spend with the noncustodial parent.

Custody orders cannot be modified for two years unless a child is at risk for emotional or physical harm under the current arrangement.

Custody Factors

During a divorce or separation, the court will consider various factors related to the child’s well-being and the capabilities of each parent before awarding custody. Keep in mind, a judge cannot use one factor as a determinate and exclude all the other factors. Factors considered include:

• The wishes of each parent
• The wishes of the child, provided the child is old enough to express a preference
• The child’s primary caretaker and the strength of the relationship between each parent and the child
• The relationships the child has with siblings or others, such as a grandparent, that could affect the child’s best interests
• The child’s ties to the home, school and community and the length of time in a stable environment
• The permanence and stability of the proposed custodial home
• The mental and physical health of the child, parents and any other involved individuals
• The child’s cultural background
• Each parent’s ability to give the child love, affection and guidance, particularly in relation to religion or culture
• The ability of each parent to encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact with the other parent and cooperate for child-rearing, unless there are issues of domestic violence

Let’s Discuss Your Custody Needs

To speak with an attorney, arrange a no-cost initial consultation at our office in the First National Bank building in downtown St. Paul today. To schedule yours, call 651-968-0969 or send us an email. We serve clients throughout the Twin Cities, statewide and in western Wisconsin.