Types of Custody in Minnesota

Understanding Different Types of Custody in Minnesota

Before and during a divorce, one of the first things that should be done is to establish child custody between you and your ex. You don’t want to wait too long to begin the process of filing paperwork for custody because you want to create a sense of normalcy as effectively and quickly as possible for your children.

One of the best things you can do when seeking custody is relying on an experienced child custody attorney to walk you through every step of your case. Like most states, Minnesota has its own set of child custody laws and different categories of custody called physical custody and legal custody.

Keep reading to learn the different types of custody that may fit your current situation.

What is Physical Custody?

In Minnesota, a parent who has physical custody is responsible for their daily routine, care, and control over their child and responsibilities. If you have physical custody, you have the right to make decisions about your child’s day-to-day activities and you also control where they live.

If you and your ex already work together to share the responsibilities of your child, you could also have joint physical custody.

Joint physical custody means you and your ex share the responsibility of caring for your child. Your child would also be able to live with both you and your ex.

What is Legal Custody?

Legal custody means you have the right to make important decisions about how your child should be raised. This includes decisions about their health care, education, religion, where your child goes to school, and more.

Do you and your ex discuss these responsibilities concerning your child and currently make decisions together? If so, you could seek joint legal custody.

Joint legal custody means that you and your ex can share the responsibility of making important decisions about how your child should be raised together. You both would be able to decide where your child goes to school, when and where they go to a doctor, religious practices, and more.

If you and your ex can not decide on which type of custody would work best for you, then we recommend that you contact an attorney to help you.

Handle Your Case the Right Way

Going through a divorce and custody case is not an easy thing to do. Our attorneys at Mack & Santana Law Offices, P.C. understand that there are certain issues that can’t always be ironed out without an attorney, and that includes doing what’s best for your children.

We’re here to help you and walk you through every step of the child custody process. Contact us today at (612) 712-3890 to schedule a consultation so we can begin filing your paperwork as soon as possible.