Child Custody & Child Support Lawyer Serving MN

Thanks to my background as a child counselor, my primary focus when tasked with family law challenges involving children is always on the children’s best interests. When you choose Krenner Law LLC to represent your side in a child custody or support matter, you can rest assured that you are hiring a child support lawyer that is working toward the best future possible for both you and your children.

Since I believe that knowledge is the key to successful legal outcomes, I will begin by ensuring you know what you should expect from family court proceedings. The first step lies in understanding the basics of child custody and support.

Understanding Child Custody Terms

In Minnesota, there are several child custody-related definitions you should know:

• Physical custody: This type of custody allows a parent to make day-to-day decisions about the child’s activities, and his or her place of residence.
• Legal custody: This type of custody allows a parent to make important decisions concerning his or her child, such as those related to religion, education and medical care.
• Sole custody: Sole custody is when only one parent has custody of his or her child or children. The court can award sole physical, sole legal, or sole physical and legal custody.
• Joint custody: Joint custody occurs when both parents share custody of their child or children. As with sole custody, the court can award joint physical, joint legal, or joint physical and legal custody.
• Interstate custody: This type of custody occurs when one parent resides outside the state of Minnesota.
• Parenting time: This is the term used in Minnesota to describe child visitation, which a court-approved parenting plan clearly outlines.
• Parenting education class: The court often orders parents to attend a parenting education class if a dispute over child custody arises.

The Basics Of Child Support Determinations

When a family court in Minnesota has to make a decision about the amount of child support for a specific case, the judge will turn to the state’s child support guidelines. The guidelines consider the following when determining the appropriate amount of child support:

• Both parents’ incomes
• The number of children in both parents’ homes
• Existing child support orders
• Existing spousal support orders
• Insurance coverage costs
• Child care costs
• Percentage of parenting time awarded to each parent

Start Building Your Knowledge Today

As a family law attorney, I understand that you may feel confused by legal terms and processes. It is important for you to know that you are not alone; all non-lawyers feel overwhelmed by the thought of legal proceedings. I can answer your questions about paternity and spousal support as well.