A children’s schooling and overall education is often one of the most contentious aspects of a divorce. Fathers and mothers may have different ideas about what’s best for the child once they separate, and as a result, it’s left up to the courts to determine how the child’s schooling will proceed if the parents themselves cannot come to an appropriate consensus.
When these situations arise, courts generally tend to adhere to the following educational guidelines:
- Judges tend to operate under the belief that children should continue to attend the school in which they were enrolled before the parents’ divorce unless both parents agree to a change or the court orders a change.
- Children are more likely to be enrolled in the school district closer to the parent with whom they spend the most time.
- If the children were not previously enrolled in a school before the divorce, neither parent should make an enrollment decision without the consent of the other. And if a consensus cannot be reached, judges expect the issue to be addressed well in advance of the school year starting.
These are just a few general guidelines, but every situation is difficult and will likely require some work within the court system to come to a fair arrangement if the parents cannot work it out for themselves. When all else fails, judges want to limit the turbulence in a child’s life, opting for consistency and happiness for the child over what the parents want for themselves.
If you have any questions about how you can create educational arrangements for your children as you go through your divorce, meet with an experienced Minnesota child custody attorney at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.
