Mothers and fathers in Minnesota sometimes have a very valid reason why they don’t want their child to spend time with the other parent. Their child’s well-being comes first, so parents take any concerns involving safety or stability very seriously. If you are wondering what the chances are of getting full custody of your child due to an issue with your co-parent, continue reading to learn more about a few common circumstances.
Custody Doesn’t Need to Be Formal, But Sole Custody Often Does
Mothers commonly ask, “can I get sole custody if the father is absent?” If the father of your child is not in their life, you don’t need to seek him out to create a formal custody agreement. You can continue to maintain full custody of your child. It is unlikely that you will be able to completely terminate the fathers’ parental rights, even if you both agree. The courts want each child to have two parents who are responsible for them. This also means that you will have the opportunity to request child support. However, this doesn’t mean that your child will be forced to spend time with both parents. If the father has no interest in spending time with his child, you can both agree that you will maintain custody. You don’t need to go to court to care for your child full time.
If your child’s father comes around and threatens to go to court to receive joint custody, it is likely that a judge will order some type of joint custody arrangement, although it may not be 50/50. Essentially, any time a parent wants to spend time with their child, there’s a good chance they will be granted that opportunity. If your child’s other parent is currently in their life but isn’t adequately meeting the child’s needs to the extent that it is causing harm to the child, you may have a case for sole custody. This is rare, but it can happen. In many cases, one parent will have sole legal custody of the child, but the child will still spend time with their other parent, even if that time must be supervised.
How Long Does It Take to Get A Custody Order
Many parents who are seeking full custody are doing so because they fear for the welfare of their child. It’s understandable that you would be worried about how long it will take to resolve your case, especially if you think your child is suffering or is being neglected. Unfortunately, there is no standardized timeline for custody cases. Your case may be resolved quickly, or it could drag on. The best way to ensure your custody issue is resolved as quickly as possible is by working with a Minnesota child custody attorney to prepare for the case.
Primary Child Custody Attorney Edina
If you’re a divorcing parent, your Edina divorce lawyer will need to be familiar with child custody issues. Beth Barbosa has helped many parents obtain favorable custody outcomes during their divorce, and she’s prepared to fight for your child’s well-being and your rights. If you are facing exceptional circumstances with your child’s other parent and think you have a case for primary custody or to request supervised visits, contact child custody lawyer Beth Barbosa.