Co-Parenting App for Minnesota Parents

What Minnesota courts consider in custody decisions

Minnesota overhauled its custody statute in 2015 (effective 2016), replacing the prior factor list with 12 best interest factors under § 518.17(a). These include the child's physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual, and other needs and the effect of the proposed arrangements on those needs; any special medical, mental health, or educational needs that may require special parenting arrangements; the reasonable preference of the child if of sufficient age; whether domestic abuse has occurred in the parents' relationship; any physical, mental, or chemical health issue of a parent that affects the child's safety or developmental needs; the history and nature of each parent's participation in providing care for the child; the willingness and ability of each parent to provide ongoing care and to cooperate in raising the child; the effect on the child of changes to the proposed arrangement; the effect of the proposed arrangement on the ongoing relationships between the child and each parent; the benefit to the child in maximizing parenting time with both parents; and the disposition of each parent to encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact with the other parent. The court may not use one parent's sex as a factor.

How the custody process works in Minnesota

Minnesota custody cases are filed in District Court. The 2015 overhaul replaced 'custody' with 'parenting time' and 'decision-making responsibility' for new cases filed after 2016. Parents must attend a parenting education program — the AAML Parenting in Divorce or similar approved course — within 30 days of the first hearing if minor children are involved. Courts commonly require mediation through court-connected programs or Social Early Neutral Evaluation (SENE) before trial in contested cases.

Key Minnesota custody statutes

• Minn. Stat. § 518.17
• Minn. Stat. § 518.175
• Minn. Stat. § 518.1705