Custody, parenting time and co-parenting are often the most contentious issues in divorce. Nothing is more important than your children and your relationship with them. However, the other parent or the court may have very different ideas about what is best for your children. Even parents who are on good terms can find it daunting to resolve the who, what, when, where and how of custody and parenting time.
Resolving Parenting Disputes And Fighting For Your Children
At Sheridan & Dulas, P.A., we provide honest legal counsel to help you make informed and practical decisions regarding all child custody matters. We also provide strong advocacy in contested custody proceedings to fight for you when you and the other parent cannot come to an agreement.
Making Good Decisions In Child Custody And Parenting Plans
Physical custody refers to where the child will live and the right to make basic decisions about the child’s day-to-day activities. Legal custody refers to the right to be involved in “big picture” decisions about raising your child, including education, health care, and religious upbringing. Parenting time describes the division of time each parent has with the child but is not necessarily controlled by the custody label itself. For example, sole physical custody does not mean that only one parent spends time with a child.
Our lawyers will explain the spectrum of possible outcomes for custody and parenting time and explore the different approaches for pursuing your goals. Even if you agree on the main issues, understanding and resolving other parenting issues, some of which you may not have even considered, can make the difference in the future happiness of you and your children. Our skills, experience, and insights can help forge an out-of-court custody agreement that covers the broad variety of parenting issues to minimize future disputes. If you are fighting over primary custody or the amount of parenting time, understanding the big picture impact upon you, your children and the process is even more important. We offer strategy and guidance for contested proceedings, including straightforward advice about likely outcomes should these issues be given to a judge to decide and how to work through the process to achieve your goals either by agreement or through the courts.
In custody litigation, the best interests of the children are paramount and are controlled by 13 statutory “Best Interests” factors, all of which are given equal weight by the court. It is critical to understand how these factors would apply in your situation and how they affect the relative strength or weakness of your position. We give you the tools to make informed decisions and then we vigorously advocate for you in the chosen course of action.
A custody battle is hard on you, your finances, and your children, but sometimes circumstances dictate going to court. Attorney DeAnne Dulas has practiced for 15 years in family law, including complex and high-stakes custody cases. Through mediation, negotiation or litigation, we can forcefully assert your concerns and protect your child and your interests in all matters of custody and family law:
- Petitions for sole custody or primary physical custody
- Determination of parenting time (visitation)
- Legal custody disputes (school, church, medical, extracurriculars, etc.)
- Parenting plans (drop-off schedules, weekends, overnights, holidays, etc.)
- Paternity actions to obtain child support or establish visitation rights
- Grandparents’ rights (petitions for visitation)
- Parent relocation
- Post-decree modifications of custody or parenting time
- Child support (initial determination, modification or enforcement)
- Orders for protection from abuse
Experienced And Respected Counsel In Family Law
Our family law attorneys are knowledgeable, compassionate, and versatile. Through collaborative methods or in courtroom proceedings, we are known for our tenacity, our creativity, and our results.
Contact our office today at 651-686-8800 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. Our family law lawyers practice across the Twin Cities, including Dakota, Washington, Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Ramsey, Goodhue, and Anoka counties, and in greater Minnesota.
