Parents in Minnesota can share legal and physical custody. However, is shared physical custody right for your children? There are some situations where it is in the best interests of your children and some situations where it may not be.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of households with married parents and minor children dropped from 40 to 20 percent between 1970 and 2012. Across the country and in our state, shared legal and physical custody is commonplace. This means parents share the authority to make decisions and physically care for their children.
Although joint physical custody has become more common, it may not be right for you. Consider these points when deciding whether it is in the best interests of your children:
Children benefit from a strong, healthy relationship with both parents. Shared physical custody does not mean equal parenting time, however, it does often reflect an arrangement where both parents have major input into the daily lives of the minor children.
For parents struggling with communication and ongoing legal difficulties, shared physical custody is a poor choice and a poor legal arrangement. When you have questions about child custody in Minnesota, talk to an experienced family law firm in St. Paul.