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Custody Arrangements and Laws

There are two kinds of custody in Minnesota:

• Physical Custody - where a child lives, has their home and receives their primary care. Custody also means being a “primary parent.” That means assuming the responsibilities of being the parent, in caring for and guiding your child.
• Legal Custody – who makes decisions about where the children go to school, their religion, their health care.

Custody can be awarded to one parent only or shared by both parents. Because child support is now linked to the amount of time a parent spends with a child, the focus has turned to how well the parents can cooperate in making decisions and raising their children together.

As you think about custody, think about what it will take to have a cooperative parenting relationship with the other parent, if that is possible and how to make it work. If there is physical violence between parents, custody is generally not shared.

Whatever custody arrangement works for you and your children (whether sole custody or joint custody), you and the other parent will agree on a workable schedule and ways to solve problems. If you cannot agree, the Court will make an Order after either mediation or a custody study.

If you have questions regarding Custody, call Ballou Law Partners at 612-321-9800.